Muslims believe that Ramzan is a time when one grows in faith through voluntary patience and depravation. Prophet Muhammad said, “Patience is half of imaan, faith.” If those who fast don’t learn patience, they have missed the biggest lesson of this rite of worship. God has given us our souls and hearts on trust. Fasting and prayer helps us honour our trust with our Creator.
The whole month of Ramzan is sacred to Muslims, the last 10 days even more so. Hidden in these nights is the special night of “Layla tul Qadar”, the night of power.
According to tradition, Prophet Muhammad told followers to look for the special night in the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan, which are the 21st, 25th, 27th and the 29th. Although many believe it falls on the 27th, there is no specific certainty about the date in the scriptures. Scholars say there is wisdom in the uncertainty, so the faithful turn to God and spend more time praying in the quest for this blessed night.
The Quran was sent down on this night. The Quran says, “We have indeed revealed this (message) in the night of power... The night of power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of dawn!”
Any serious spiritual pursuit requires time to turn away from the trappings of the world and calls for serious self-introspection. If we reflect at how we behave with our elders, family, neighbours and society at large, realise our shortcomings, it becomes easier to ask God for forgiveness. In seclusion it is easier to observe the condition of our soul, identify its shortcomings like jealousy, slander, gossip, envy, animosity towards fellow human beings and take corrective measures by making resolves to rectify these diseases of the heart. Allah says that the one who purifies his soul is the one who is successful.
Ramzan ends with the sighting of the new moon and the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a time to set aside differences and celebrate the completion of a month of blessings with family and friends. It is a day of forgiveness and charity. Prior to the Eid prayers, Muslims are obliged to pay the Zakat al-Fitr, three kilograms of wheat, barley or the equivalent in cash to the poor for every member of the household. This is to enable the poor to enjoy the festival. The real test is to keep the purity of the heart and stick to the resolves made to improve the relationship with God.
Sadia Dehlvi is a Delhi-based writer and author of Sufism: The Heart of Islam.
She can be contacted at sadiafeedback@gmail.com
