RAMADHAN TIME FOR STOCKTAKING
Prof. Muhammad Rafi
Ramadhan comes every year to remind us that it is not a month of mere fasting but a time to reassess our commitment to God for upholding and practicing His directives as revealed in the Holy Quran. It is not a month to finish reading of the Holy Quran in taraweeh in three, six, ten or twenty seven days.
The Holy Book was revealed as guidance and has to be attentively and carefully read with rapt attention. The next step is to comprehend the message it contains and apply it practically in our daily lives for a peaceful, contented and harmonious living.
The rapid unintelligible reading of the Holy Quran in Ramadhan and in other months too is quite common. They Holy Quran talks about those people who study the Holy Quran as it should be studied.
The word Qirat means mere reading and Talawat means reading with full comprehension. The commonly used term fast does not clearly indicate the true meaning and spirit of the month. The Quranic term Saum indicates controlling one’s desires and disciplining oneself within the limits prescribed by God. Saim is the one who keeps oneself stopped from treading the wrong path by controlling himself.
Muslims all over the world generally observe this month in a routine manner by fasting from dawn to dusk. They feel at the time of Iftar (end of fasting) that their obligations are fulfilled. Little do they realize that Islam, as a way life, is a round the clock affair. It is not confined to rituals, but encompasses all their activities. Rituals are easy to perform and are usually satisfying. A true test of the Muslim comes in the practical application of Divine laws, in everyday life.
The Holy Quran says that this month has been chosen for a collective training. The objective of this training is to establish Allah’s supremacy for He has shown us a well-lighted way.
They Holy Quran is now recited to acquire the reward of a virtuous act (Thawaab): It is because the way the Holy Quran is recited during Taraweeh prayers is neither understood nor does the congregation comprehend us to what they have listened.
The Holy Quran is the most widely read book in the world but sadly its readers are not aware of its meanings.
Ramadhan provides us an apportunity to refresh our beliefs and the Quranic teachings. The Holy Quran tells us that if humanity follows the Divine guidance in letter and spirit, it will rediscover the paradise that was lost by man as a result of disobedience of God’s instructions. Through this message Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) reformed and transformed a cruel, unjust, ignorant and disintegrated society into a united, just and enlightened one.
Today, Muslims who were directed by the Holy Quran to work toward solving the problems of humanity are unable to solve their own problems. The basic objective of the revelation of the Holy Quran during this month was to give the Muslims specific guidance for their development. For that, it is important to have an ideal standard. This objective standard incorporates all attributes of God. As a human being inculcates and develops these attributes within human limits, he comes nearer to God. During Ramadhan and at all times, Muslims should strive to protect themselves from the dangers of evil and adopt the divine laws. The next step is that of thanking God for the rewards that are forthcoming as a result of disciplining their lives.
If you ask a Muslim the reason for his fasting, he would straightway respond by saying that he is obeying the directives given in the Holy Quran (2:183). In other words he accepts the fact that the Divine directives have to be obeyed. This simple principle should be applied to all other directives; otherwise we would be accepting one directive of the Holy Quran and ignoring others.
The Holy Quran was revealed from time to time over a period of 23 years. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) had made foolproof arrangements for its transcription and preservation (many companions had memorized the Holy Quran during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) before he died and it had been fully written and compiled in the form of a book by honourable, pious and just writers during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, the first Rightly-guided caliph. This is how the Holy Quran testifies to its compilation negating countless man-made and confusing theories.
This month (of Ramadhan) tells us that individual interest has to be replaced by the ideal of the good of humanity at large. Equity and justice should prevail over oppression and exploitation. Man’s desire to dominate others must end and everyone must live in peace and harmony. This is exactly the opposite of what Muslims are now doing.
Ramadhan also reminds us that men have no right to rule other men: yet it does not advocate a lawless, anarchical society. It lays down the principle that Allah alone has the right to rule over them (12:40) and none has the right to any share in it (18:40). Sovereignty belongs to Allah alone. The question arises how Allah should be obeyed? The answer is by observing His laws as given in the Holy Quran. Ramadhan. I suggest that Sadqatul Fitr should be paid early enough so it will reach the needy and the poor before the Eid day. It will enable them to use it for food and cloth and give them the opportunity to enjoy the happiness of Eid-ul-Fitr.
WHO SHOULD BE PAID?
Sadaqatul Fitr should be paid directly to the needy and the poor. However, you can also pay it to an organisation, which would distribute it in accordance with the teachnigs of Islam. Remember that it is still your responsiblity. So make sure before paying that the organisation will distribute it according to the teachings of Islam and before Salatul-Eid.