Day 3: What is the Point of Ramadan?

“Not without purpose did We create the heaven and earth and all between!

That were the thought of Unbelievers!” Qur'an 38 verse 27

Everything in life has a reason for its existence. There is a specific or special role for every tool. There is a purpose for everything be it an object or action. We are creatures of God, what exactly is our purpose on earth? Allah explains: “But teach (thy Message): for teaching benefits the Believers. I have only created jinns and men that they may serve Me. No sustenance do I require of them nor do I require that they should feed Me, for Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance Lord of Power Steadfast (for ever).” Qur'an 51 verses 55-58

The purpose of revealing the Qur'an is 'guidance' (Qur'an 2 verse 2) and revealed ‘to make things clear’ (Qur'an 43 verse 2). The Qur'an which is full of blessings is also for ‘meditation’. (Qur'an 38 verse 29) The purpose of Salaat is to ‘restrain from shameful and sinful deeds.’ (Qur'an 29 verse 45) Further, Zakaat is designed to ‘purify and sanctify (bless) your wealth’ (Qur'an 9 verse 103) thus ‘preventing it from destruction and disaster.’ (Qur'an 2 verse 195) Finally, Hajj is a response to God’s call in order to ‘witness Allah’s benefits and blessings and celebrate Allah’s name.’ (Qur'an 22 verses 27-30)

It is therefore important to inquire about the purpose or point of the Fast in the month of Ramadan since everything has its purpose. The purpose of Ramadan is the 'acquisition of taqwa'. This is clearly stated in the verse establishing the fast: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) taqwah (God Consciousness).” Qur'an 2 verse 183.

So what is Taqwah? Taqwah is a state of relationship. The relationship between YOU and YOUR CREATOR. Ramadan brings you closer, it removes the gulf or gap between you and your Lord. In fact it personalises that relationship to the extent that you strive harder and Allah appreciates it even more because He gives more reward than usual and He says, 'All the deeds of Adam's children (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' (Bukhari)

Taqwah is constant consciousness of Allah in what we do, see, say, earn and spend. It influences the way we relate with opposite sex, our thoughts process and even our secret desires. Taqwah guides and instructs where we go, the company we keep and our attitude to colleagues, friends, ralatives and neighbours. Little wonder then that the reward for a successful fast in Ramadan is a special entrance to Paradise – a gate called Ar-Raiyan.

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “A great month, a blessed month, a month containing a night which is better than a thousand months has approached you people. Allah has appointed the observance of fasting during it as an obligatory duty, and the passing of its night in prayer as a voluntary practice. If someone draws near to Allah during it with some good act he will be like one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfils an obligatory duty in it will be like one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month. It is the month of endurance and the reward of endurance is Paradise.” (Tirmidhi)

Insha’Allah more on taqwah soon.