Fasting is no self-torture, it's noble and glorious

Again Ramadan is the month in which the Muslims all over the world endeavour to restrain themselves from shameful, evil and unjust deeds for it is very much known as the month of self-purification. Unlike other lunar months of the Islamic calendar the holy month of Ramadan reminds us of breaking the fast together in the evening after observing fast during the day for one full month. It also reminds us of offering of extended special prayers called "Tarawih" immediately after "Isha" (night) prayers in which the whole Holy Quran is recited by the "Huffaz" (the persons who know the whole Holy Quran by heart) in course of the 30 days of this month.

Now we may turn our attention to what Almighty Allah declares in two very important Quranic Ayats about significance and importance of "Siam" or fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. In Ayats 183 and 184 of Sura Baqara He declares in clear and unambiguous terms:

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"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed as it was prescribed to those before you, that you (learn) self-restraint, (Ayat 183). Fasting for a fixed number of days, but if any one of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." (Ayat 184).

In this context it may, however, be pointed out that journey and illness as indicated in the Quranic Ayats should not be interpreted in an elastic sense: they must be such as to cause real pain or suffering if the fast were observed "... A journey of 8 or 9 miles on foot is more tiring than a similar one by a bullock cart." Now people of course travel by motor car, ship or plane.

There are haves and have-nots in our midst. Again, there are people who can hardly afford two square meals a day and to them balanced diet is a luxury, whereas side by side, there are people who enjoy their holidays abroad. Ramadan certainly teaches them to restrain themselves from spending their money on items which are absolutely unnecessary and superfluous and divert at least a small portion of their huge bank balance to bring smile on the melancholy faces of the poor and indigent who often experience the sharp pinch of hunger for want of food. These resourceful and wealthy persons should not be oblivious of the needs of their helpless neighbours. Benign and Almighty Allah has cautioned these wealthy and well to do persons to be careful about the needs of their neighbours in Ayat verse 7 of Sura Maun neighbourly needs of the Holy Quran. Ramadan not only teaches a Muslim to abstain himself from food, drink and sex for certain fixed hours every day during this month, it simultaneously teaches him to abstain or refrain himself from unjust deeds also. It teaches us to learn and unlearn many things through fasting (Siam) so that we can do something positive for the teeming millions living below the poverty line.

Islam does not sanction accumulation of money for self-aggrandisement. If any body thinks that he is the real owner of the money and wealth he has earned by the sweat of his brow then he is sadly mistaken. And what emboldens him to say so? He says so because he knows that the law of the land is very much in his favour. He will at once run to a court of law to safeguard his interest. He is fully aware that no body will be able to deprive him of his huge bank balance and vast property. But should he not think for a moment that he is also a Muslim. Can he totally ignore or forget the very important Quranic Ayat relating to accumulation of money and wealth? In this connection it would be worthwhile to refer to Ayat 7 of Sura Hadid iron of the Holy Quran. In this Ayat Almighty Allah says:

"Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees, and such of you as believe and spend (aright) their will be a good reward."

It transpires from the aforesaid Ayat that a Muslim cannot claim that he is the real owner of his money, wealth and property. He is merely a trustee on behalf of his Benign Creator Allah Rabbul Alameen. He simply plays the role of a custodian of the resources bestowed on him by Almighty Allah and the have-nots have definitely a right to share them as clearly indicated in the said Quranic Ayat. It is, therefore, highly desirable that the moneyed men should not close their fists and string their purses to deprive the needy and the indigent including their neighbours. Ramadan teaches them to be cautious and careful.

It may be stated here that the Holy Quran in its entirety was carefully preserved at a place, far away from this mundane world of ours, known as "Low-e-Mahfuz" and from there, as and when commanded by Almighty Allah it started revealing unto our holy Prophet (pbuh) with effect from 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan, that is, from Night of Honour or popularly known Shab-e-Qadr.