Ramadan reminds us about the importance of submitting ourselves to Allah; this holy month helps condition humanity in a manner which empowers Muslims to overcome their worldly desires.

What the Qur’an Says about Ramadan: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the Criterion (between right and wrong). So, whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e. is present at his home) he must observe sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [2:185]

From the above quote, one can deduce that Ramadan is comprised of two main elements:

The remembrance of Allah and self-reflection; To sacrifice for the sake of Allah.

Remembrance of Allah Allah (Swt) has blessed us with the light of Islam. The monthly period of Ramadan is an opportunity for all Muslims to reflect on their Iman - to assess one’s level of obedience to Allah and how it can be improved.

Each individual should reflect upon their prayer. Ask yourself: Do I pray on time? Do I wake up for Fajr? Do I attend the Friday prayer? Do I pray at the mosque in congregation as often as I can? Do I get distracted during prayer by worldly matters?

We should reflect on all aspects of our religion such as: Do I seek knowledge as often as I can? Do I respect my parents & elders? Am I following the Qur’an & the Sunnah? How do I get closer to Allah? Am I doing everything in my power to gain entry into paradise?

Insha’ Allah, through the remembrance of Allah, we will be encouraged to become better Muslims with a greater appreciation for our religion and our beloved Prophet, Mohammad (S).

Ramadan is an opportune time to concentrate on praying, reading Qur’an, performing good deeds, spending time with family and friends and above all glorifying Allah.

To sacrifice for the sake of Allah The word Ramadan stems from the Arabic term: ramida or ar-ramad, defined as: “Scorching heat or dryness.” It is believed that the month's name may refer to the heat of thirst and hunger, or because fasting burns away one's past sins, “O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.” [2:183]

There are various reasons why we fast throughout Ramadan, but most importantly, we fast because it has been prescribed for us in the Qur’an through the words of our creator, Allah. Through the act of fasting, we can show our gratitude to Allah by obeying His orders, by abstaining from: our desire to consume when we are hungry, to drink when we are thirsty, or to give into other temptations when they arise. Fasting in Islam is not only about suppressing our hunger and thirst, but also about rectifying our conduct and demeanour.

The quality attained by a Muslim while fasting is piety. In order to achieve piety, one must: Pray the 5 compulsory prayers on time, pay Zakat, pray Taraweeh, lower ones gaze when faced with haram, avoid back-biting and avoid over-eating.

Fasting also brings 1.2 billion Muslims across the world together, sacrificing for Allah in unison. That’s 22%* of the world’s population abstaining from worldly pleasures to gain Allah’s pleasure, SubhanAllah! This amazing month encompasses four out of the five pillars of Islam: 1) Belief in Allah, 2) Praying 3) Fasting and 4) Zakat.

Zakatul - Fitr is the responsibility of every Muslim and it is recommended to be paid during Ramadan. Allah has made it clear in the Qur’an, that for every ounce of wealth we have attained, there is a fraction of it that belongs to a person in need. Generosity will never go unnoticed in the eyes of Allah, as narrated by Abu Huraira who stated: Allah's Apostle said, "If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly-earned money (and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money)- Allah takes it in His right (hand) and then enlarges it’s reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain.”

Sadly we must also make mention of those who become overcome by greed, forgetting that Allah has provided them with such fortune. Abu Huraira has also narrated that: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth, then on the Day of Resurrection his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over the eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, 'I am your wealth, I am your treasure.' "Then the Prophet recited: “And let not those who covetously withhold of that which Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty (wealth) think that it is good for them (and so they do not pay the obligatory Zakat). Nay, it will be worse for them; the things which they covetously withheld, shall be tied to their necks like a collar on the Day of Resurrection…” [3.180]. In a society that is dominated by materialistic wealth, we must remind ourselves of that which Allah offers to those who do pay Zakat- His Mercy!

Ramadan may be followed by Muslims world wide but it affects billions of people in different ways. Still, the universal understanding is that we must view this holy month as a suitable time to take faith to a higher level, an opportunity to maximise our good deeds, a time to ponder about Allah’s Glory and Majesty and a time to thank Allah for all he has provided us with- our families, our children, our friends and our wealth (which we may spend in the way of Allah). Above all, we must thank Allah for the greatest gift he has bestowed upon us- the path of Islam, since “…Allah guides whom He wills to a Straight Path” [2:213].

May Allah reward us for following the way of Islam and allow us to be one of those who will Insha’ Allah enter Jannat-al Firdaus (the highest ranks of Paradise).