The Holy Month of Ramadan

 

[A discussion of some Divine purposes for fasting Ramadan, as it is Islam’s brightest and most splendid symbol or ritual. This section consists of nine points explaining nine purposes.]

 

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate 

The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for humanity, clear signs of guidance and the criterion. (2:158)

First point: Fasting Ramadan is one of Islam’s foremost pillars and greatest symbols. Many of its purposes relate to God’s Lordship and giving thanks for His bounties, and to humanity’s individual and collective life, self-training, and self-discipline.

One purpose connected with His Lordship is that God displays His Lordship’s Perfection and His being the All-Merciful and All-Compassionate upon the Earth’s surface, which He designed as a table to hold His bounties in a way beyond human imagination. Nevertheless, people cannot perfectly discern this situation’s reality due to heedlessness and causality’s blinding veil. But during Ramadan, like an army waiting for its marching orders, believers worship as if they expect to be told to help themselves toward the end of the day. Thus they respond to that magnificent and universal Mercy with a comprehensive and harmonious act of collective worship. I wonder if those who do not worship or share in the honor of being so favored deserve to be called human.

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi