The holy month of Ramadan is just round the corner. We are about to witness yet another blessing of our creator. We should try to make this Ramadan the best one of our lives by understanding the true spirit of this month. It is not just about reciting more from the Qur’an or just fasting. It is an organized divine program or exercise to help an individual become a better person and a better Muslim.
It is not a month to be wasted in planning meals or shopping for Eid. It instills a sense of sharing with the less privileged. By not eating from dawn till dusk, we can empathize with the less fortunate and it motivates a person to help other human beings. Fasting is a great spiritual exercise to control our bad habits or to get rid of them like lying, cheating and above all backbiting. This month-long exercise helps a person overcome certain human weaknesses and make him/her ready to lead the same lifestyle the entire year. We should understand the true message of Ramadan instead of celebrating it like a festival. This is not to say that we should not express our joy but everything should be done in moderation.
We usually prefer reciting Qur’an in this month. Instead of just reading it like a parrot, we should allocate a fixed time to ponder over the verses of the Qur’an and try to absorb the meanings of the holy verses and apply it in our daily lives. — Lala, Jeddah
Ramadan’s true spirit
