Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ramadan Mubarak!

Asalamualaikum,

Yesterday, August 11 2010, was the first official day of Ramadan Alhamdullilah! As a Muslim you see your home go into a wonderful transition for Ramadan, everyone prepares themself and their homes in their own way. You feel much closer to Allah, and your love for Islam grows. Dinners are even more joyous than ever and going to the Masjid for Taraweeh is like sealing every day of your fast.

During this month we need to remember that fasting is not only abstinence from food and water, but it is much more. During this month Muslims all over the world practice self control, over their desires and physical needs during the daylight hours. The eyes must restrain from seeing bad things, the ears must restrain from hearing bad things, the tongue must restrain from saying bad things, and the hand must restrain from doing bad things.

By doing this, we learn to have control over our bodies and our desires. We put these things aside to become closer to Allah. And our bodies and desires, no longer have control over us.
We also learn how it feels to be not able to eat and drink for long periods of time like poor people. And we learn to respect them and willingly give our share of zakat (charity) or even more.
During this month we also go through a cleanse, a bodily and spiritual cleanse. We spiritually go through a cleanse because we restrain from bad things and we strive to become better Muslims. We let go of our worldly desires to be closer to Allah. We are also cleansed from our toxins when we fast.

We got this from the article Benefits of Fasting, by Rukhsana Badr
"In Fasting and Eating for Health, Joel Fuhrman, M.D., states that an important element of fasting detoxification is mobilizing the toxins from their storage areas. He notes that superfluous tissue such as fat, abnormal cells and tumors are broken down and these toxic materials are released into the circulation for elimination."

These acts of sacrifice and self control help strengthen our mind, body, soul and Iman.

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:"... whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness" (Qur'an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

There is no month in comparison to Ramadan. This is a month where you can be rid of all your past sins, a month where you can be promised paradise, and a month where you become closest to Allah. So please take full advantage of it and do anything that makes you feel like a better Muslim.


Salam and Ramadan Mubarak,
MYGA