The New Nation - Internet Edition

Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

The holy Ramzan is the month of Allah's infinite Mercy. 'Roza' (fasting) is an important 'Rukn' (pillar) of Islam. The holy Quran ordains fasting obligatory on capable Muslims. The Messenger of Allah Hazrat Mohammad (SM) demonstrated the way to perform fasting with necessary rituals and described unique merit of this injunction of Islam.

The Muslims of Bangladesh including the Muslims of the world accept this exceptional month heartily and engage themselves in a continuous process of self-restraint through fasting.

The holy Quran says: 'O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self-restraint (may be Allah-fearing)." (2:183) The verse says, 'as it was prescribed to those before you.' This makes it clear that the followers of earlier prophets were also prescribed fasting and the holy tradition comes down as a virtuous occasion.

The verse also says about the aim of fasting - 'that ye may learn self-restraint' So, by fasting with complete allegiance to the Commandments of Allah the Muslims can learn to achieve the goal of Allah-fearing through self-restraint This is called 'Taqwa', which teaches to avoid all forbidden things.

This Ramzan is thus an opportune moment to reach the nearness of Allah. This gracious period should be utilised in proper perspective as detailed in the Quran and Sunnah. However, none should try to misinterpret the meaning. Ramzan is in no way 'simple or mere fasting'. The very meaning or teaching of Ramzan is self-purification. Learn (or atain) the practice of warding off all the evils in oneself, to earn the virtue of surrendering to the Will of Allah and to adhere to the teachings of His Messenger prescribed (for mankind) and to pray for His Mercy with devotion.