RAMADAN: A MONTH OF SPIRITUAL TRAINING

Prophet Muhammad called the month of Ramadan a month of patience.  (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 20323). The Quran states that fasting during this month has been prescribed so that man may become God-fearing. (2:183) The qualities of patience and piety or God-consciousness (fear of God) are required of us every month of the year. In the month of Ramadan, however, special stress has been laid on this so that these two attributes become an integral part of one’s character.

Fasting during Ramadan does not aim at mere abstinence from food and water but is to reinforce the virtue of patience and not to blindly follow one’s desires. God has given man a free will to test if he can use his freedom properly. One needs to tie oneself willingly with the rope of God’s laws. Thus, one who fasts, imposes self-discipline and surrenders to the will of God as mentioned in the saying of Prophet Muhammad that a believer is like a tethered horse that moves only as far as its rope allows (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 11335).

Ramadan is a kind of training course. Thoroughly imbued with the qualities of patience and piety during the month of Ramadan, one is able to maintain the same high standard of conduct through the rest of the year.

The rationale behind fasting for a month is made clear by psychological studies. It tells us that for a habit to be inculcated, 30 days are required. It is not an overnight miracle but a lengthy process. The practice becomes a part of the personality only when it is observed every day for at least 30 days and it is only then that it may continue for at least a year. Fasting is a special training where one is being prepared to lead a principled life—not merely during the month of fasting, but, in fact, for the whole year round.