Blessings of Ramadan

Ramadan is a special month of the year for Muslims throughout the world. This month is marked by fasting, which requires refraining from food and drink from dawn to dusk. This is the period of prayer, inner reflection, and devotion to God. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam. Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Qur’an began to be revealed as guidance to mankind. God says in the Holy Qur’an: "The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was sent down as guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination” (2:186).

The real purpose of fasting is to attain righteousness. The person fasting must remember that the aim is not simply to remain hungry; he should be engrossed in the remembrance of God so as to attain severance from worldly desires. God says in the Holy Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness” (2:184).

Although fasting requires abstaining from food which nourishes the body, it enables the believer to obtain spiritual food which satisfies, and brings comfort and peace to the soul. So, those who truly fast to attain nearness to God, and not merely as a custom, are advised to be absorbed in the praise and glorification of God.