Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) also said that when a person is fasting, he should avoid quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, “I am fasting.”
Source/Credit: Stafford County Sun
By Shehla Ahmad | July 18, 2014
Muslims are celebrating the month of fasting called Ramadan these days. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and totally abstain from eating and drinking during their fast. In Islam fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims. However, it is a well-known fact that some form of fasting was prevalent in all religions before Islam as well.
One may wonder that fasting seems more of a personal act. No doubt, in Islam fasting is an act purely done for God and only God is its reward. But can my fast benefit others? The answer is “Yes it can” and it should.
Fasting is an opportunity for self reformation in every sphere of life. During Ramadan, although apparently a Muslim is only abstaining from food, one must remember that's not the ultimate goal. Fasting would teach self control when a person refrains from eating, drinking and other rightful carnal desires only for the sake of God. It inculcates patience and forbearance.
When one lets go his rights for the sake of God, it also fosters humility. Fasting provides an ideal state of mind to feel empathy for the needy. It thus promotes a sense of sacrifice and simplicity.
No wonder, Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) has specially emphasized charity during this month. It is reported by the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) that although he was very generous through out the year, he was particularly generous in the month of Ramadan, and he performed charity like the blowing wind. All Muslims are expected to follow his exemplary way.
When Muslims observe fast, they must pay special attention to abstaining from all sins and evils. If they are not mindful of their deeds, fasting becomes mere starving for nothing. Holy Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said, “Of what use to God is the fast of one who does not abstain from lying and from deceit.” So truthfulness and honesty are implied in conversations and actions.
Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) also said that when a person is fasting, he should avoid quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, “I am fasting.”
This reminder in fact can serve as a good rehearsal for practicing anger management. A watchful person observing fast can’t over react or lose his temper on the plea that he was fasting. On the contrary, he is not supposed to get into arguments with anyone at home or outside the home.
If you are mindful of the spirit of fasting, you will even do your job with extra care and religiously.
But all this goodness and reformation is not meant to stay for a short term. This one month is period of probation/training and this transformation should stay for the rest of the year. But again, as it is human nature to become lax, there is a solution to that as well; before we slack too much, we should find the next Ramadan waiting for us.
To conclude, if a Muslim fasts in true spirit, his fasting should leave a positive impact on the society. Our fasts should make us better humans, committed to our jobs/communities, and become more responsible citizens who love God and His creation genuinely and spread peace through the world.
Shehla Ahmad is a resident of Stafford County.
http://m.staffordcountysun.com/news/opinion/article_e075352a-0cfd-11e4-9f2f-001a4bcf6878.html
Read original post here: Ahmad: Fasting can benefit others
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comments. Any comments irrelevant to the post's subject matter, containing abuses, and/or vulgar language will not be approved.