The Virtue Of Ramadan

Why Muslims fast? Fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan is the third pillar of Islam. During Ramadhan, muslims fast from sunrise until sundown abstaining from eatingfood, drinking and having sexual relations. As for mukmin, this is a dear, long-waited guest and the blessed month all over the year. Some may prepared warming-up by fasting some days during the Sha’ban month.And some may start earlier in the Rejab month. How about you? 

Recited in the 183 verse of Surah al-Baqarah, Allah SWT said : 

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) selfrestraint”.

The propose is surely clear as crystal, to be in the highet class of the servants; the Muttaqin. On the hand hand, our greatest leader, Muhammad S.A.W had told us the remarkable joy of Ramadhan, “When Ramadan comes, the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are closed.” .Masha-Allah! Dear folks, what are we waiting for?  

Imagine if your best friend came up to you after Ramadan and asked, “How was your Ramadan?” And the first response that came to your mind was, “I had the best Ramadan EVER.” And what would be meant by the statement, is that you accomplished everything you set out to complete during the month. This should be the goal of every Muslim – to maximize their Ramadan and extract as many blessings from this month as we can, insha-Allah!

In this time being, it is normal to us to be well-knowned about the great opportunities and rewards during this blessed month, but we mostly neglect the medical benefits of fasting. Let’s take a look onto some researches done about these gold found during fasting:

Ø Fasting in general has been used in medicine for medical reasons including weight management, for rest of the digestive tract and for lowering lipids. Islamic fasting is different from total fasting plans because in Ramadan fasting, there is no malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake. The caloric intake of Muslims during Ramadan is at or slightly below the national requirement guidelines. In addition, the fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily taken and is not a prescribed imposition from the physician.

Ø Abstinence from water during the period from early morning until dusk is not bad at all and in fact, it causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism; in fact, it has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in plant life, improve their longevity.

Ø The physiological effect of fasting includes lower of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension. In no way did fasting worsen any patients’ health or baseline medical condition. On the other hand, patients who are suffering from severe diseases, whether diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempt from fasting and should not try to fast.

Ø Psychological effects are not excused as well. There is a peace and tranquility for those who fast during the month of Ramadan. Personal hostility is at a minimum, and the crime rate decreases. This psychological improvement could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes.

Here are some beneficial tips from the Messenger, Muhammad S.A.W for this holy month. Practice makes perfect !

DATES - In a Hadith narrated by Anas (RA), he says, "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying [Maghrib], if fresh dates were not available, he would [eat] dried dates, if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water." [At Tirmidhi 3/79]

TARAWEH PRAYERS -Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that the blessed Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whoever offers optional congregational prayers (like Taraweh prayers) throughout the nights of Ramadan, believing in Allah and seeking His rewards, will have his previous sins forgiven".

DU’A - Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the beloved Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There are three people whose supplications are not rejected - the fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just ruler and the supplication of the oppressed." [At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban]

RECITING QURAN - Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The Fast and the Qur'an are the two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The Fast will say, "Oh Lord! I prevented him from his/her food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him!" The Qur'an will say, "I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him!" and their intercession will be accepted. [Ahmad]

Last but not least, you may read these Ramadhan quotes by some of the famous preachers and get into the mood of the worship festival:

Sheikh Ali Gomaasaid : “Ramadhan is an opportunity for you. So, take it. You will be forgiven after you were sinful. You will draw close to Allah after you were distant. You will see things with your heart after you were blind. You will delight in your proximity to Allah after you were away and you will be rewarded with His mercy, forgiveness and pleasure.

Iman Badawisaid : “People, a great blessed month has come upon you, a month containing Lailat al-Qadr which is better than a thousand months. Allah has made fasting during it an obligation, and steadfastly observing its nights in worship a voluntary act ”.

Ustaz Nouman Ali Khan said : "There's a battle going on inside you in Ramadan, and for 30 days Allah gives you the power to win."

Ramadan Mubarak to all of you. May Allah  (glorified and exalted be He) make it easy for you to achieve your goals in this Ramadan! Ramadhan Kareem! Do you smell the barakah inside?.

“Memartabat Keilmuan, Memimpin Kesatuan”

Siti Hajar bt Ahmad Azhar

Panelis Pick,

NADI UKKAZ PMRAM 2012.

Sumber : pmram.org