Significance of holy Ramadan

Prof Dr Abdul Mannan Mia

Human being is the best creation of Almighty Allah among all other creations. Allah says in the holy Qur’an, “Men and jinn have been created only to worship Me.” Those who follow the order and laws of Allah properly are the real mumin. Islam is the only divine religion for mankind to maintain the peace and tranquility of the society.

What is Roza?

The word ‘Roza’ is a Persian word. In Arabic it is called Saum and the plural of this word is ‘Sium’. Islam is based on the five basic fundamental principles, in which Roza remains at the third position. Every adult Muslim man and woman must observe fasting throughout the whole month of Ramadan. Allah says in the holy Quran, “O believers! Fasting has been made compulsory for you similar to those of you predecessors so that you practice self-control.” (Surah Bakarah 2: Verse 183) So, by observing fasting believers can ratify their souls and thus become purified. If the souls are not rectified, no worship can be performed correctly in view of the fact that the presence of six passions cannot bring full allegiance to Allah and leads one to deviate from worshipping with devotion. Fasting diminishes the urge of six passions and makes room for worshipping properly. So, Hadith says, “Assiamu junnatun” — Siam is the shield (for the observer). As the shield protects a warrior from the attack of his enemy. Sium protects the observer similarly from the impulse of passions and provocation of Satan. Roza is the protector from all evil deeds. Our six passions are kept under confinement at the “instance of fasting during the month of Ramadan. If a fasting men can lead his daily life controlling thus six passions in the system ordained by Allah. In order to train us the method how to control the six passions. The month of Ramadan comes to us every year in an orderly form. The Almighty shows His infinite mercy and special blessings to us on the month of Ramadan.

Objectives of Roza:

By observing Roza man achieve self-purification, self-reliant, boost up brotherhood and to attain taqwa (perfectness) for the pleasure of man, is the main objective of it. A man may die by drinking poison, similarly committing sinful deeds humanity may dead. In the month of Ramadan refraining from eating and sexual lust along with keeping the mind immune from sinful thinking is the main objectives of roza.

Verily, I sent the holy Qur’an in an honourable night of the holy month of Ramadan. Oh Prophet! Do you know which one is that honourable night? That night is better than a thousand nights: Hazrat Rasul (Sm) after remaining on deep meditation at the Hera cave for a long time of 15 years got acquainted with Ruhul Quddus (Holy Spirit) and received at first the sayings of Allah on this very honourable night. In fact on ascetic spiritual practice remaining in Sium, the followers of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) can go nearness to Allah by surrendering their animality and rectify their souls accordingly. Spiritual practice of sium curtails the distance and make room for a convenient communication with Allah and His servant. The relevant moment of his achieving this success is very much important to him without any shadow of doubt.

Importance of Ramadan:

The importance of the month of Ramadan is such that in this holy month of blessings, Almighty Allah sent the holy Quran. The other holy Books were also sent to all other prophets during this holy month of Ramadan. For instance, on the 13th day of Ramadan Taurat Kitab was sent to Hazrat Musa (As). On the 17th day of it Zabur Kitab was sent to Hazrat Daud (As) and on the 21st day of it Inzil Kitab was sent to Hazrat Isa (As). Again, within this holy month of it, Allah Tala sent the holy Book of Quran to the Great Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sm).

Benefit of Roza:

Roza makes a man perfect both physically and mentally by dint of Roza thinking power of a man increase. For this reason Awlia-e-Keram observe roza. According to medical science observing roza human body may strong and fresh. Hazrat Rasul (Sm) declared, “There are two kinds of pleasures for a person performing roza. One for attaining holiness by surrendering his animality in view of remaining on fasting and the other for (establishing communication with Allah through fasting in spiritual practice) seeing Allah in the time of breaking the fasting in the time of iftar.

What is real Roza:

In Hadith-e-Qudsi, Allah declared, “Roza is for Me and I am reward for him. The awlia-e-keram especially the Revivor of Mohammadi Islam Sufi Samrat Hazrat Mahbub-e-Khoda Dewanbagi (Maddazilluhul Ali) Hujur Qibla said three kinds of fasting. One kind of Roza is for general people, i.e., lower class fasting is keeping oneself aloof from taking all kinds of foods and carnal desires during sunrise to sunset. The middle class means to observe fasting and abstain from lusting and to remain aloof from thinking about sinful acts from sunrise to sunset. The last one i.e., upper/higher class fasting denotes observance of fasting refraining from carnal desire and to remain all time devoted with dhikr of Allah from sunrise to sunset. The last one is the fasting of Wali-Allah (friend of Allah) and it is the real fasting.

When men come in contact with Wali-Allah, observe fasting then the bad elements rather animality of their souls will be weaker and Fayez (spiritual power) from Wali-Allah will be pouring into their souls fully. As a result, fasting personnels can attain purification of their souls. Otherwise it will be mere fasting and nothing will be attained out of it. In this connection, Sufi Samrat Dewanbagi while citing an example states that if an animal is kept tightened with a tree without giving any food and drinking from morning till evening and after sunset supply necessary food and drinking to this animal then this fasting of the animal cannot be called as Roza. In Hadith-e-Qudsi Allah the Magnificent declared. “All organs of the body which does not refrain from sinful acts, it is useless to remain on fasting. Body and soul combined makes a full man. So, fasting to be made both by soul and body.

Sufi Samrat stated that the fasting during the month of Ramadan is the best time to build up best and ideal character in order to attain nearness to Allah. In observance of fasting the application of methods by which one can control six passions drive out evil forces of soul, apply correct procedures to perform all other obligations of Islam and attain purification of soul and thus acquire love of Allah.

Is fasting injurious to health:

According to modern science, Roza is not injurious to human body. By observance it reduces excess fat of body and regenerate working power of the body.

What is Sahri and Iftar

At the end of night men take food for the purpose of observance of Sium is called Sahri. Hazrat Rasul (Sm) told it’s a blissful food. Taking food in the last part of night is the custom of the Muslims but Al Ahle Kitab (Christ and Jews) do not take food (sahri), is the basic difference. For the content of Allah men break fasting at the end of the day by food and drink is called Iftar. It is the pleasure for the fasting person.

In conclusion, the lesson of Mahe Ramazan in every step of life through observing self-restraint, austerity and achieving taqwa advised by a Nayeb-e-Rasul or real Wali-Allah.

[Writer: Former Vice Principal of National Law College, Dhaka]