Ramdan - A Gift From God

The month of Ramadan is one of those important occasions that we witness once a year. It is a gift from God. It is a golden opportunity for Muslims to get closer to God by increasing good deeds. Ramadan is the month in which Muslims observe the obligatory fast which has been prescribed by God on those who believe in Him as it was prescribed on previous nations. 

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety. (2: 183) The above verse explains the main purpose of fasting. It is to attain taqwa (God-consciousness) which means that every Muslim must be watchful of everything. 

He must watch out every word he utters and every action he does. Whoever fails to leave off ruinous speech, and acting on it [during Ramadan], God does not need him to leave off eating and drinking. (Al-Bukhari) Fasting is an excellent training opportunity on self-restraint as the fast teaches patience and perseverance. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Fasting the month of patience and three days every month is equivalent to fasting the whole year. 

The Prophet describes the month of fasting as the month of patience because fasting teaches how to control one’s inner self and its desires. Every Muslim should do his best to make the coming month of Ramadan a landmark event this year. Put a target for yourself, like for example having all your sins forgiven by God and that you will be saved from Hellfire.