It is Divinely said in In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185):
"Ramadan is the month in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the new moon of the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship, and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that to which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful."
This verse is often interpreted as describing the blessings, ease, and mercy that Allah provides to His believers during the month of Ramadan. Let’s break down the specific meanings related to "ease and mercy" that Allah intends:
Ease in Fasting:
- Allah does not intend for you hardship: The verse directly states that Allah’s intent in prescribing fasting during Ramadan is not to make things difficult for His believers, but rather to make it easy for them. While fasting can seem physically demanding, the rewards and spiritual benefits make it easier for a believer who is sincere in their faith. The overall goal is to spiritually strengthen the individual, not to burden them. Allah has created the fast in such a way that the believer can endure it, and through His mercy, makes it possible for them to achieve the reward.
- Flexibility for illness or travel: The verse also specifies that those who are ill or traveling are permitted to postpone their fast to a later time, highlighting Allah’s mercy and ease. This flexibility ensures that those who may not be able to fast during Ramadan due to health or travel are not unduly burdened, but rather allowed to make up the fasts later.
Ease in the Process of Repentance and Forgiveness:
- Spiritual Mercy: Ramadan is a month of intense worship, prayer, and reflection, where Allah’s mercy is abundant. The fast itself serves as a means of spiritual purification. In many hadiths, it is mentioned that during Ramadan, Allah’s mercy is poured out, and believers who seek forgiveness are granted it.
- Forgiveness for Sins: Ramadan is seen as a time when Allah’s mercy is especially prevalent. It’s a time when sins are forgiven, prayers are accepted, and the believer can purify themselves. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 38). This hadith shows Allah’s mercy and His willingness to forgive those who strive in worship during Ramadan.
Spiritual Benefits and Ease of Worship:
- Closer Connection to Allah: During Ramadan, believers engage in more prayer (such as Taraweeh), recitation of the Qur'an, and acts of charity. Allah provides ease in this spiritual growth. The act of fasting itself purifies the soul and allows for a deeper connection with Allah. The peace and tranquility of Ramadan make it a time when a believer can engage in worship more readily, as the distractions of daily life are minimized.
- Increased Reward for Acts of Worship: Allah’s mercy in Ramadan also includes multiplying the rewards of good deeds. The rewards for acts of worship, such as prayer, charity, and fasting, are heightened during Ramadan. This makes it easier for the believer to earn great rewards in a relatively short period of time.
Implications of not observing Ramadan in its true spirit
When Allah has promised so much ease and concessions to us, we would utter losers if we do not draw maximum benefit from the mercy of Allah by fasting the way it is meant for us. This calls for a complete transformation of our lifestyle during this sacred month and leave every thins that takes us away from remembrance of Allah. Let us have a brief look at our acts which we keep doing even when fasting and thus fail to receive mercy of Allah for Allah does not require of us to abstain from eating and drinking.
- Sleeping the day altogether: Many a fasting brothers and sisters elect to sleep over the entire day, if not committed in their work, in order to evade the rigours of being hungry and thirsty. This certainly is not the spirit of fasting for it robs us from remembrance of Allah, reciting Qur'an and other forms of worship.
- Busying oneself with mobile apps / games: Many youngsters are often seeing playing games on computers and cellular phones to preoccupy them and kill time. There are apps of Qur'an and Sunnah which we could listen to instead that not only spiritually nurtures us but also helps to understand Islam much better.
- Watching films on TV / Netflix: Films on TV and channels like Netflix are easy means of whiling away time in between the Sahoor (the pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (the meal of breaking fast at sunset). Imagine this time being devoted to reciting Qur'an or offering voluntary prayers (Nafl) and thus bagging immense dividends from Allah as promised by Him.
We could go on and on for such activities wasted away in leisure rather than activities that go by the spirit of Ramadan and harnessing oneself from every act that may take us from the pleasure of Allah.
For now, we share a very informative lecture by one of the most eminent scholars of present times, Nouman Ali Khan, who elaborates the verse quoted above and advises the Muslim brethren specially the youth as how to spend the day while fasting. Please watch the video:
About Nouman Ali Khan: Born to a Pakistani family, Nouman Ali Khan is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.
Let us listen to this video again and again and really understand how Allah wants us to be His servants and how we should always be looking towards him, and no one else, for our worldly needs. If we can really absorb the meaning of this verse into ourselves, we will never go astray or be misled by worldly desires or following the priests and imams or asking from the dead saints.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam.
You may also like to refer to our reference page: Ramadan: The Month of Fasting and Blessings to know more about Ramadan. Also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.
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