Ramzan, A Process Of Self-Purification.
Relaborate process stretching over a period of one month every year. essentially means that a person bserving fast will not only observe abstinence from eating and drinking ut will get into a sublime state of mind order to develop positive feelings. To chieve this one has to restrain oneself om listening, speaking, hearing or thinking negatively about others. The gur'an says, "O ye who believe! Fasting prescribed to youas it was prescribed those before you, that ye may (learn) elf-restraint." Fasting is a tool for reconstruction our spiritual faculties. It instills the ssence of consciousness of the Creator the devotee's heart. It also instills oral courage and guides the seat of emotions on moral issues. Since g helps in conditioning the heart, dbody, it leads to tranquility and Oss inthe face of adversity. This helps one become patient. Patience is the pinnacle of discipline and spiritual suppleness. Jamaluddin Rumi said: "Have patience, for that is true worship. One needs to experience Ramzan to understand its social significance in its totality. It is an elaborate process of self-purification. The expectation is that if one passes through this process of self-purification for a period of one month, its impact will remain for the remaining 11 months, after which this process will be repeated. Physical fasting alone does not have any social or religious significance. oza or fasting in Islam is an Sociologically speaking fasting is an expression of solidarity with the poor. It is manifested through the concept of charity, neighbourhood and hospitality. Apart from helping to purify body and soul through the process of self-purification, addressing these areas of social significance is bound to help people to shed all those things which are not socially desirable. Charity includes helping the poor through giving of alms. It is said that if one gives away even a small amount during this month, he will get 70 times more blessings in return. We should also take care not to forget the social significance of iftar gatherings. The practice of the concept of neighbourhood is equally important. It has wider connotations than its literal meaning. The Prophet had said, "One should behave decently with the whole of humanity and foremost among them is your neighbour." If one connects it with the concept of fasting, an immediate implication is that a true Muslim cannot see any human being hungry, even if it means having to sacrifice 'iftar and to continue fasting for the next day Simi larly, a true Muslim cannot see a Huma being in pain or misery. It applies to boone's immediate neighbourhood as weas entire humanity. What we are witnessing around us in the name of Islam isIslam. In essence Islam in generaland'roza' in particular teaches a person toad dress human concerns and values. Muslims need to demonstrate through observance of 'roza' (in its totalitIslam's relevance in today's world. Leus make clear once and for all that any type of violence has no place in Islam One of the greatest advantages of observing the month of fasting is thatits true observance inculcates in a person the habit of speaking the truth remaining patient, practising the conceof hospitality and neighbourhood and give charity to the needy. If followed in letter and spirit a person will certainly become a true IN sand will be bestowed with God's blessing and protection, which we all need so desperately in these turbulent times.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are M Aslam views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: M Aslam and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Ramzan, A Process Of Self-Purification.
Relaborate process stretching over a period of one month every year. essentially means that a person bserving fast will not only observe abstinence from eating and drinking ut will get into a sublime state of mind order to develop positive feelings. To chieve this one has to restrain oneself om listening, speaking, hearing or thinking negatively about others. The gur'an says, "O ye who believe! Fasting prescribed to youas it was prescribed those before you, that ye may (learn) elf-restraint." Fasting is a tool for reconstruction our spiritual faculties. It instills the ssence of consciousness of the Creator the devotee's heart. It also instills oral courage and guides the seat of emotions on moral issues. Since g helps in conditioning the heart, dbody, it leads to tranquility and Oss inthe face of adversity. This helps one become patient. Patience is the pinnacle of discipline and spiritual suppleness. Jamaluddin Rumi said: "Have patience, for that is true worship. One needs to experience Ramzan to understand its social significance in its totality. It is an elaborate process of self-purification. The expectation is that if one passes through this process of self-purification for a period of one month, its impact will remain for the remaining 11 months, after which this process will be repeated. Physical fasting alone does not have any social or religious significance. oza or fasting in Islam is an Sociologically speaking fasting is an expression of solidarity with the poor. It is manifested through the concept of charity, neighbourhood and hospitality. Apart from helping to purify body and soul through the process of self-purification, addressing these areas of social significance is bound to help people to shed all those things which are not socially desirable. Charity includes helping the poor through giving of alms. It is said that if one gives away even a small amount during this month, he will get 70 times more blessings in return. We should also take care not to forget the social significance of iftar gatherings. The practice of the concept of neighbourhood is equally important. It has wider connotations than its literal meaning. The Prophet had said, "One should behave decently with the whole of humanity and foremost among them is your neighbour." If one connects it with the concept of fasting, an immediate implication is that a true Muslim cannot see any human being hungry, even if it means having to sacrifice 'iftar and to continue fasting for the next day Simi larly, a true Muslim cannot see a Huma being in pain or misery. It applies to boone's immediate neighbourhood as weas entire humanity. What we are witnessing around us in the name of Islam isIslam. In essence Islam in generaland'roza' in particular teaches a person toad dress human concerns and values. Muslims need to demonstrate through observance of 'roza' (in its totalitIslam's relevance in today's world. Leus make clear once and for all that any type of violence has no place in Islam One of the greatest advantages of observing the month of fasting is thatits true observance inculcates in a person the habit of speaking the truth remaining patient, practising the conceof hospitality and neighbourhood and give charity to the needy. If followed in letter and spirit a person will certainly become a true IN sand will be bestowed with God's blessing and protection, which we all need so desperately in these turbulent times.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are M Aslam views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: M Aslam and Speaking Tree,Times of India