بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Ramadan is believed to be the month of fasting, yet we tend to forget the true essence of the blessed month. Allah says in the Qur’an:
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
[2:185]
It is true that fasting is an important part of Ramadan, but the first thing Allah mentions prior to fasting is the Qur’an itself. It is the month in which He revealed the miracle of His book to the prophet (ﷺ). In his time, it was known as the month of the Qur’an.
Allah mentions “unzila feehi” as in “it was sent down”, without mentioning Himself to highlight the Qur’an even further in this ayah; to show us the importance of its role. Unlike other areas of the Qur’an where He mentions Himself specifically, example: “anzalna al ma'” – “We (majesty form) sent down water”, instead here He eludes directly to the Qur’an to highlight its significance above all else. Thus why the first thing we should be thinking about in the blessed Ramadan is His book. As the month approaches we must plan as to how we are to get closer to the Qur’an.
Allah also clearly mentions that His book was revealed as a guidance to all mankind. Previously the Jews believed that revelation was only meant for them – that everyone else was lower than them in ranks. Until their generation was corrupted and Allah formed a new nation that was given its own revelation. This revelation is not to be kept for just the people in the nation but for all human beings. So first we are to bring ourselves closer to Allah’s book, then we are to share it with the people. It is this book that will bring true peace to the world.
Let’s compare that noble notion to what we have reduced Ramadan to today. Overeating, barely understanding the words we recite if we recite at all, finding the masjid that finishes taraweeh prayer the quickest and maybe only taking the 27th night seriously. We have made it into a cultural festivity type of thing, which we cannot say is haram, but Ramadan goes a lot deeper than this and through the festivity we tend to overlook all its blessings.
The prophet (ﷺ) said: “When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened; the gates of Hell-fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Bukhari]
Why is it that the shayateen are chained? Is it so we can indulge in our fried foods uninterrupted? We must see it as an opportunity, a way to revive our belief in Allah through the Qur’an.
Allah ends the ayah with what we are to accomplish through this month, what we will achieve; He says: “so that perhaps you may be grateful”.
The question is, what are we to be grateful for? The first thing is the fact that we got to see the month through, completing the days of fasting – the fact that we were given a chance to cleanse all of our sins and start fresh. Then there comes the endless reasons through appreciating the fact that we were given Islam, the best gift anyone can have.
So the point of fasting itself is to gain taqwah – the consciousness of Allah, an urge to protect ourselves from sins; but the point of Ramadan as a whole is more grand – to gain true gratitude for what Allah has bestowed upon us as Muslims.
May Allah make Ramadan a means by which we become one with Allah’s book, the month in which we will try to understand the wisdom in His words and with His permission for us all to gain true gratitude.
Allah knows best.