The month of Ramadan is considered the most pious month because it was during this time that the Holy Quran was revealed. This act of worship is greatly loved by Allah. Fasting is the willing abstinence from all kinds of food and drink for a particular period of time. The fast begins at dawn and ends at sunset. Generally, we think that fasting is only about abstaining from food and keeping our belly empty from dawn to dusk. But the core and underlying purpose associated with hunger is something sublime. No doubt, being in a state of hunger is the physical commencement and the gateway of abstinence from all other strictly forbidden actions related to the soul. Some people think that by only observing hunger we can get the complete benefit of fasting. However, the other more important aspects that we neglect are significant than this very hunger. In order to please Allah and get the complete reward from Him, we have to act and bring complete moderation in other prohibited matters as well. We can call ourselves truly fasting when we abstain not only from food and drink but also refrain from the material attractions of this temporal world.

To observe the complete fast, we must stop all the bad actions, such as lying, gossiping, deceiving, bribery, theft, innocent killing, backbiting, harming our neighbour etc. Besides these negative acts, the present generation is engulfed in many sinful acts like drinking, drugs, and being involved in illicit relationships. Therefore, this month becomes a golden opportunity for them to abandon these wrongdoings and perform good deeds in return. Muslims, particularly in Kashmir, hold different perceptions regarding this month. One segment of society, whom we call true believers, feels very happy about the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan and counts the days eagerly for it to come nearer. These people make preparations and lessen their workload before its arrival, so that their work does not affect their fasting.
The second category of people, however, makes no preparation before its outset, but tries to observe the fast reluctantly. Their minds are not occupied with the fear of remaining hungry from dawn to dusk, rather they are mostly worried of waking up before dawn. Many complaints come from people of this category that eating at that early hour is sickening and that they can hardly eat even a single loaf of bread as a meal. As a result, most of them keep their stomachs almost empty. Nevertheless, such people still have the fear of Allah, and they keep fast despite these complaints and complications.
The third category of people does not keep even a single day of fast and does not perform other rewarded and obligatory acts of worship like praying, even during Ramadan. They feel pride of not observing the fast, and when somebody asks them about it, they answer a big ‘No’ without any hesitation or fear of God. Even their parents have the same approach towards their children. When someone complains about their son’s or daughter’s non-observance, their reply is that the children are little, weak and cannot tolerate the hunger during the day time. They also say that their children have a lot of office work and or that their exams are approaching. If parents adopt such an approach and are not strict about their children’s life in the hereafter, how can they expect great deeds from them? It is a humble request to such parents to introspect and not destroy the everlasting life of their children. It is high time to shun this glamorous and destructive favouritism toward them.
We should also reflect deeply on which deeds will make our lives better in this world and in the hereafter. Moreover, during this month, we witness great brilliance and hustle and bustle in our local Masjid’s and short Islamic discussions are held at every nook and corner. People are seen rushing toward the Masjid’s at prayer times. We spend extra time in reading the Quran and performing special prayers. However, it is unfortunate that many of us think that only in this month should we connect with Allah and perform righteous deeds. The true essence of this month is that it serves as a training period through which we should continue the same God-pleasing activities throughout the year. This month provides a road map of how to live the rest of the year according to the lessons we learn from it. It teaches us how to live the other months in the light of Ramadan.
Finally, we should regard this month as a great reward from Allah, and remain grateful that He has bestowed it upon us as a training course for spiritual improvement. Through this training, our entire year ought to be governed by the same intense spiritual rejuvenation.

Email : ------------------ pirfarhad123@gmail.com