Ramadhan, the Month of God (5)

Salaam everybody and welcome to our daily programme “Ramadhan, the Month of God.”

Let us first present you the special supplication for the 5th of Ramadhan:

“O Allah, appoint me this day to be among those who plead for Your forgiveness; place me therein among Your righteous and obedient servants; and appoint me therein among Your close friends, with Your Compassion O Most Merciful of the merciful!”

The blessed month of Ramadhan is a Divine Invitation for the believers to fast, which means those who fast are the guests of God. No doubt, every guest should prepare himself/herself with due manners, which include physical cleanliness, spiritual purity, abstinence from unworthy acts, urge to do good, and proper cognition of the Host.

According to the Islamic teachings, fasting in the month of Ramadhan is obligatory for every post-puberty Muslim who is physically able. Therefore, weak persons (either due to old age or sickness) are exempted from fasting. In addition, travelers are exempted because of the physical fatigue of the journey. This is mentioned in ayah 185 of surah Baqarah. Mothers giving suckle or women in menstruation are also exempted from fasting. But, the important point is that fasting is not mere abstinence from eating and drinking. It stipulates conditions that should be observed if one wants to achieve the goals of this Divine Commandment.

The first step for fasting is to observe it with an intention to do so, which is the core of every act of worship. The Messenger of Mercy, Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) said to his loyal companion, Abuzar, "O Abuzar! You need to have a pure intention for everything even eating and sleeping."

Elsewhere the Prophet said, "Indeed, the deeds are dependent on intentions."

As for fasting, intention means to decide to carry out God's Commandment; hence it should be sincere. The Prophet’s Immaculate Daughter, Hazrat Fatema az-Zahra (peace upon her), has said, "God has decreed fasting for strengthening your sincerity."

Another requirement for fasting and partaking of the Divine Banquet is to observe its decorum. Decorum in fasting means being constantly heedful of one's acts and thoughts to avoid sins. The heart of the fasting person should be compliant with fasting. Just as a fasting person shuns many lawful acts during the daylight hours, he/she should avoid indecent thoughts.

The Prophet’s 6th Infallible Heir, Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS) has stated: "God has said in the Torah, 'O son of Adam! Make your time and heart free for My worship, so that: I may not let you be enticed by your carnal desires; I take responsibility to fulfill the (lawful) requests you make; I may fill your heart with My Awe so that you will not fear anybody or anything else."

Thus, fasting should be both an internal and external exercise, as Imam Sadeq (AS) has said elsewhere, "When you are fasting, your ears, eyes, tongue, hands, feet and skin should also be fasting."

He further said: "It is necessary that you do not quarrel, are not jealous, do not backbite, do not dispute, do not take a false oath, do not swear, do not oppress, do not act insanely, are not depressed, do not neglect prayer and God's remembrance, keep silent regarding that which should not be uttered, be patient, be calm and composed; and like a servant who fears his master, beseech God (constantly), be afraid of Divine Wrath and hopeful of His Mercy; firm up your belief in Wilayah (or the Divinely-Decreed authority of the Infallible Imams); abstain from whatever God has prohibited; make space in your heart and body for receiving God’s Mercy; be engrossed in the remembrance of God. If you do what I have said, then you have observed what befits fasting and have obeyed God's commandment. But, if you come short of it, the merit and reward of your fasting will be reduced commensurately."

Acts like backbiting, though they do not annul fasting, they will impede positive impact of fasting on one's heart and spirit. Telling lies, slandering, mockery, insult, betrayal, and other misdeeds are a violation of the raison d'être to fast. A true observer of fasts is the one who pays attention to the wisdom of fasting and tries to shun sins, since the ultimate aim of this act of worship is to strengthen piety as it is stressed in ayah 183 of surah Baqarah.

The Prophet said, "He who keeps his ear, eye and tongue from disturbing people, God will accept his fasting."

The day’s fasting starts with sahari/suhur, or the late midnight meal before dawn, and ends after sunset with iftar or breaking of the fast. Islam highly recommends sahari and iftar.

The acclaimed scholar, Sheikh Mufid, says, "It is narrated from the Ahl al-Bayt that sahari is a recommended act even if it is a sip of water. The best food for sahari are dates and qawoot as the Prophet used to eat it." For your information, dear listeners, qawoot is a kind of pudding made up of flour of various grains especially wheat.

The Prophet’s First Infallible Heir, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS), says regarding the practice of the Prophet of Islam in the final days of Ramadhan, "The Messenger of God would fold up his bedding during the final third of Ramadhan and would spend the night in worship. As the 23rd night arrived, he would keep his Ahl al-Bayt awake and if anyone felt drowsy, he would sprinkle water on the face to awaken that person."

Hazrat Fatema Zahra (peace upon her), would also not let her family sleep during the last nights of Ramadhan; and would give lesser food – as full stomachs cause drowsiness and sleep. She would prepare for the night vigilance, saying, "Deprived is the one who does not enjoy the goodness of this night."

Prophet Moses asked God, "My Lord! What is the reward of the one who fasts for your sake?" God answered, "O Moses! On the Day of Judgment, I will place him in a position wherein he will have no fear."