SPIRIT OF ISLAM MAY 2O18

11 Spirit of Islam Issue 65 May 2018 THE GOAL OF RAMAZAN Spirituality and Mission A CCORDING to Islamic teachings, Ramazan—the ninth month of the lunar calendar—is the month of fasting. In this month, believers refrain from food and drink for a limited period each day—from dawn till sunset. They can eat and drink during the night. This practice continues for one month. It is very important to know that the Quran began to be revealed during this month. The Quran makes a special mention of this: The month of Ramazan is the month when the Quran was sent down as guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and the criterion by which to distinguish right from wrong. (2: 185) Therefore the believers are exhorted to read the Quran more in this month so that they may reflect upon it, understand its deeper meaning and make it a guiding force in their lives. Fasting prepares a person for the study of the Quran by making him sincere. When a person studies the Quran with a well-prepared mind, he can understand the teachings of the Quran in greater depth and their call towards spirituality. The equivalent of spirituality in the Quran is Rabbaniyat , that is, a God-oriented life. This expresses what the Quran means when it refers to spirituality. Spirituality, according to the Quran, is that mental state in which God-oriented thinking develops in the individual. Such thinking reflects in his overall personality; his behaviour with others becomes infused with divine hues. Thus Ramazan provides a framework within which devotees may improve themselves. Ramazan then becomes a month of spiritual activism. The fasting person repeatedly reads in the Quran that God is the Sustainer, that is, while man is the taker, God is the giver. Everything that a person receives in this world, right from his existence and the oxygen he inhales for respiration to the sunlight necessary for his survival, everything is God’s gift. When a person starts to think in this way, he experiences a tremendous change within. He begins living in society as a giver-member. He becomes a creative member of society. Believers are exhorted to read the Quran more in this month so that they may reflect upon it, understand its deeper meaning and make it a guiding force in their lives.