TheThe WISDOM WISDOM of of Fasting Fasting in the Month in the Month

of of RamadanRamadan

TheThe WISDOM WISDOM of of Fasting Fasting in the Month in the Month

of of RamadanRamadanAnd whatsoever He has created for you on the earth of varying colors (qualities, botanical life & zoological life); Verily! in this is a Sign for people who remember. (Surat an-Nahl: 13)

The month of The month of RamadanRamadan is one of is one of abundance, described in the abundance, described in the Qur'anQur'an. In . In this lunar month, the this lunar month, the Qur’anQur’an was sent was sent

down as a guide to all of mankind. In this down as a guide to all of mankind. In this month is the month is the NightNight that is that is ""better than a better than a

thousand monthsthousand months"" or 83.33 years of or 83.33 years of Ibadah (Surat al-Qadr: 3), the Ibadah (Surat al-Qadr: 3), the Night of Night of PowerPower (Allah’s [Swt] dominion and (Allah’s [Swt] dominion and control of the universe)control of the universe).. Throughout Throughout this month all the Muslims of the world this month all the Muslims of the world carry out their fasting obligation as one carry out their fasting obligation as one

and give thanks to their Lord for the and give thanks to their Lord for the blessings He has given them.blessings He has given them.

(Laylatul-Qadri khayrum min ‘alfi Shahr. Q97:3)(Laylatul-Qadri khayrum min ‘alfi Shahr. Q97:3)

Why the lunar month of Why the lunar month of RamadanRamadan is more is more valuable than a thousand months? valuable than a thousand months?

RasulullahRasulullah [Saws] explains: [Saws] explains: FastingFasting is obligatory during the day & is obligatory during the day &

taraweehtaraweeh is voluntary but prescribed by Allah is voluntary but prescribed by Allah [Swt].[Swt].

RamadanRamadan is a month of is a month of PatiencePatience which is the which is the key to the key to the door of Paradisedoor of Paradise and and eternal eternal happinesshappiness..

Right Right FastingFasting inculcates in the hearts of inculcates in the hearts of Believers the real meaning of Believers the real meaning of Sympathy and Sympathy and CompassionCompassion..

The first 10 days of The first 10 days of RamadanRamadan brings brings MercyMercy, , the second 10 days brings the second 10 days brings ForgivenessForgiveness, and , and the last part of Ramadan brings the last part of Ramadan brings Emancipation Emancipation from the Fire of Hellfrom the Fire of Hell..

The month of The month of RamadanRamadan is the one in is the one in which the which the Qur'anQur'an was sent down as was sent down as

guidance for mankind, with Clear Signs guidance for mankind, with Clear Signs containing guidance and containing guidance and

discrimination. Any of you who are discrimination. Any of you who are resident for the month should fast it. resident for the month should fast it.

But any of you who are ill or on a But any of you who are ill or on a journey should fast a number of other journey should fast a number of other days. Allah desires ease for you; He days. Allah desires ease for you; He

does not desire difficulty for you. You does not desire difficulty for you. You should complete the number of days should complete the number of days

and and proclaim Allah's greatnessproclaim Allah's greatness for the for the guidance He has given you so that guidance He has given you so that

hopefully you will be hopefully you will be thankfulthankful.. (Surat al-Baqara: 185)(Surat al-Baqara: 185)

A Hadith A Hadith “Islam is based on five “Islam is based on five things: the things: the TestimonyTestimony that there that there is none worthy of worship but is none worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad (may Allah and that Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him Allah bless him and grant him peace) is His servant and peace) is His servant and Messenger, the Messenger, the observance of observance of SalahSalah, the , the payment of Zakatpayment of Zakat, the , the Hajj to MakkahHajj to Makkah, the , the Fast Fast duringduring Ramadan.Ramadan. ” ” (Bukhari, Muslim)(Bukhari, Muslim)

The The WisdomWisdom of of Ramadan: Ramadan: by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi from his by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi from his Treatise of LightTreatise of Light (Risale-i Nur) in 9 points (Risale-i Nur) in 9 points

11stst point- point-FastingFasting in the month of in the month of RamadanRamadan is one of the is one of the Pillars in ISLAM and one of its greatest mark & observances. Pillars in ISLAM and one of its greatest mark & observances. A manifestation of how Believers acknowledge the A manifestation of how Believers acknowledge the All All Merciful’s dominion and PowerMerciful’s dominion and Power over the whole creation; over the whole creation; understands man’s social life, his weakness physically and understands man’s social life, his weakness physically and spiritually; his constant need of aid and help from his spiritually; his constant need of aid and help from his CreatorCreator; and offers Thanks and Praise to the One True God-; and offers Thanks and Praise to the One True God-the the Cherisher and Sustainer, WhoCherisher and Sustainer, Who granted and sustained all granted and sustained all the bounties that mankind receives.the bounties that mankind receives.

22ndnd point-Allah [Swt] spread countless bounties over the point-Allah [Swt] spread countless bounties over the face of the earth for mankind and in return He wishes face of the earth for mankind and in return He wishes Thanks and PraiseThanks and Praise as the as the price of those bountiesprice of those bounties. The . The causes and possessors of these bounties are just tray-causes and possessors of these bounties are just tray-bearers, the bearers, the true Ownertrue Owner is the is the Creator of all that exist,Creator of all that exist, Who Who deserves to be paid its value. During deserves to be paid its value. During Fasting in RamadanFasting in Ramadan the the valuevalue or price of these various bounties & gifts from its or price of these various bounties & gifts from its True OwnerTrue Owner is sincerely appreciated and recognized is sincerely appreciated and recognized especially during Iftar. Fasting, in many ways is a key to especially during Iftar. Fasting, in many ways is a key to gratitudegratitude, it being man’s fundamental duty to his , it being man’s fundamental duty to his ProviderProvider- - the One True God.the One True God.

33rdrd point- point-CompassionCompassion for one’s fellow human for one’s fellow human beings is the beings is the essence ofessence of true Thankfulnesstrue Thankfulness. . Whoever a person is, there will always be Whoever a person is, there will always be someone poorer than himself in some respect. someone poorer than himself in some respect. With this status differences, God the All Mighty With this status differences, God the All Mighty invites the rich to assist the poor, so that through invites the rich to assist the poor, so that through the hunger experienced during fasting, the rich the hunger experienced during fasting, the rich can truly understand the pains and hunger which can truly understand the pains and hunger which the poor suffers.the poor suffers.

44thth point-Fasting trains human’s instinctive soul point-Fasting trains human’s instinctive soul from the richest to the poorest to understand that from the richest to the poorest to understand that it does not own itself, but is totally owned; that it it does not own itself, but is totally owned; that it is not free, but is a slave. It understands that it is not free, but is a slave. It understands that it has no power by itself but it is only the has no power by itself but it is only the manifestation of the manifestation of the Will of the GreatestWill of the Greatest upon upon Whom Whom Thanks and worshipThanks and worship is due. This is due. This understanding includes that all the bounties is understanding includes that all the bounties is owned by God and only granted to mankind.owned by God and only granted to mankind.

55thth point- point-Fasting Fasting in the in the month of Ramadanmonth of Ramadan awakens even awakens even the most the most heedlessheedless and and obstinateobstinate to their to their weaknessweakness, , impotence,impotence, and and wantwant. By means of hunger, they think of . By means of hunger, they think of their stomach; they understand the need therein. They their stomach; they understand the need therein. They realize how unsound are their weak bodies, and perceive realize how unsound are their weak bodies, and perceive how needy they are for how needy they are for kindness kindness and and compassioncompassion..

66thth point-On this chosen month of point-On this chosen month of Ramadan,Ramadan, the the All-Wise, All-Wise, AllahAllah [Swt] sent down from the [Swt] sent down from the Highest ThroneHighest Throne, His , His Speech- Speech- al-Qur’an al-Kareem al-Qur’an al-Kareem to His to His chosen Prophet chosen Prophet Muhammad [Saws]Muhammad [Saws]. The purpose of the Revelation is to . The purpose of the Revelation is to shun the lower demands of the instinctive soul and shun the lower demands of the instinctive soul and trivialities and to resemble the angelic state by abstaining trivialities and to resemble the angelic state by abstaining from food and drink in order to greet that heavenly from food and drink in order to greet that heavenly address in the best manner. It is to attain a holy state by address in the best manner. It is to attain a holy state by Fasting.Fasting.

77thth point-The point-The Fast of RamadanFast of Ramadan comes to this world in order comes to this world in order to cultivate and trade for the Hereafter. The reward for to cultivate and trade for the Hereafter. The reward for action during the month of Ramadan is a action during the month of Ramadan is a thousand-foldthousand-fold. In . In the Hadith of Rasulullah [Saws], each word of the Qur’an the Hadith of Rasulullah [Saws], each word of the Qur’an has 10 merits and will yield ten fruits in Paradise. While has 10 merits and will yield ten fruits in Paradise. While during Ramadan, each word bears not just 10 fruits but a during Ramadan, each word bears not just 10 fruits but a thousand and verses like thousand and verses like Ayat al-Kursi 3,000 for each wordAyat al-Kursi 3,000 for each word, , and on Fridays during the month of Ramadan it is even and on Fridays during the month of Ramadan it is even more. And on Layla al-Qadr, each word is counted 30,000 more. And on Layla al-Qadr, each word is counted 30,000 merits. merits. Indeed, in the All-Wise’s Qur’an, each word yield Indeed, in the All-Wise’s Qur’an, each word yield 30,000 eternal fruits is like a luminous Tree of Tuba that 30,000 eternal fruits is like a luminous Tree of Tuba that gains for the Believers in Ramadan millions of those eternal gains for the Believers in Ramadan millions of those eternal fruits.fruits. So everyone is invited to look into this So everyone is invited to look into this Sacred and Sacred and Eternal profitable tradeEternal profitable trade and consider and understand the and consider and understand the infinite loss of those who do not appreciate the value of the infinite loss of those who do not appreciate the value of the Words of Allah [SwtWords of Allah [Swt] and ] and FastingFasting. Simply, the month of . Simply, the month of RamadanRamadan is an extremely profitable display and market for is an extremely profitable display and market for the trade of the the trade of the Hereafter.Hereafter.

88thth point- point-RamadanRamadan, from the point of view of humans; it is a , from the point of view of humans; it is a healing physically and a spiritual diet of the healing physically and a spiritual diet of the most important most important kindkind. . Human’s instinctive soul eats and drink just as it Human’s instinctive soul eats and drink just as it pleases, it is both harmful for man’s physical life from the pleases, it is both harmful for man’s physical life from the medical point of view, and when it hurls itself on everything medical point of view, and when it hurls itself on everything it encounters without considering whether it is halal or it encounters without considering whether it is halal or haram, it just simply poisons his spiritual lifeharam, it just simply poisons his spiritual life. It becomes . It becomes difficult for the soul to obey the heart and the spirit. The difficult for the soul to obey the heart and the spirit. The soul takes the control of all the bodily intentions and soul takes the control of all the bodily intentions and actions. By means of actions. By means of FastingFasting during the during the month of Ramadanmonth of Ramadan, , the soul is getting purified. It tries its best to ask help from the soul is getting purified. It tries its best to ask help from Allah [Swt] to discipline itself and listen to the commands Allah [Swt] to discipline itself and listen to the commands of his Lord by choosing Halal foods and deeds. of his Lord by choosing Halal foods and deeds. The ability to The ability to obey the Lord and reason to avoid Haram foods and deeds obey the Lord and reason to avoid Haram foods and deeds shall cause the person’s spiritual being to be aliveshall cause the person’s spiritual being to be alive. Indeed, . Indeed, it is for this reason that in it is for this reason that in RamadanRamadan the sincere Believers the sincere Believers experience experience enlightenmentenlightenment, , fruitfulnessfruitfulness and and spiritual joysspiritual joys..

99thth point-Fasting in point-Fasting in RamadanRamadan shatters the instinctive soul’s shatters the instinctive soul’s imaginary dominicallity and making known its worship imaginary dominicallity and making known its worship through pointing out its impotence. The instinctive soul do through pointing out its impotence. The instinctive soul do not want to recognize its Sustainer; it wants to be the lord not want to recognize its Sustainer; it wants to be the lord of itself like the Pharaoh. Fasting during Ramadan strikes a of itself like the Pharaoh. Fasting during Ramadan strikes a direct blow to such a Pharoah-like souls. It makes it realize direct blow to such a Pharoah-like souls. It makes it realize that it is a slave of God the All Mighty. Narration of Hadiths that it is a slave of God the All Mighty. Narration of Hadiths says: “God Almighty said to the instinctive soul: ‘What Am I says: “God Almighty said to the instinctive soul: ‘What Am I and what are you?’ The soul replied: ‘I am myself and You and what are you?’ The soul replied: ‘I am myself and You are yourself.’ So He punished it and cast it to Hell, then are yourself.’ So He punished it and cast it to Hell, then asked again. Again it replied: ‘I am myself and You are asked again. Again it replied: ‘I am myself and You are Yourself.’ Many times He punished it, it did not give up its Yourself.’ Many times He punished it, it did not give up its egotism. Finally He punish it with hunger. That is, He left it egotism. Finally He punish it with hunger. That is, He left it hungry. Then again He asked it: ‘Who am I and who are hungry. Then again He asked it: ‘Who am I and who are you?’ And the soul replied: you?’ And the soul replied: “You are my Compassionate “You are my Compassionate Sustainer and I am your impotent slave.”Sustainer and I am your impotent slave.” Yaa Allah! Yaa Yaa Allah! Yaa Rabbi, Grant blessing and peace to our master Muhammad Rabbi, Grant blessing and peace to our master Muhammad [Saws], that will be pleasing to You and fulfill of his truth to [Saws], that will be pleasing to You and fulfill of his truth to the number of merits of the words of the Qur’an in the the number of merits of the words of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan, and to his family and Companions, and month of Ramadan, and to his family and Companions, and grant them peace.grant them peace.

"Oh people! A great "Oh people! A great monthmonth has come over has come over you; a you; a blessed monthblessed month... month in which ... month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by dayfast by day, and voluntary to pray by , and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time... It is the deed at any other time... It is the month of month of patiencepatience, and the , and the reward of patiencereward of patience is is Heaven or ParadiseHeaven or Paradise. It is the . It is the month of month of charitycharity, and a , and a monthmonth in which a in which a believer's believer's sustenance is increasedsustenance is increased..." (Ibn ..." (Ibn Khuzaymah)Khuzaymah)

Allah reveals the obligatory nature of Allah reveals the obligatory nature of fasting in Surat al-Baqara:fasting in Surat al-Baqara:

O You who believe! Fasting O You who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as is prescribed to you, as it it was prescribed to those was prescribed to those before youbefore you, so that you , so that you may (learn) self-restraint.may (learn) self-restraint. (Surat al-Baqara: 183)(Surat al-Baqara: 183)

Advice from Advice from Prophet MuhammadProphet Muhammad [Saws] [Saws] regarding regarding Fasting,Fasting, BrotherhoodBrotherhood and and proper proper

Moral Values during RamadanMoral Values during Ramadan

An Ayat: An Ayat: ““Allah bears witness that there is Allah bears witness that there is no deity but Him, as do the angels and the no deity but Him, as do the angels and the people of knowledge, upholding justice. people of knowledge, upholding justice. There is no deity but Him, the Almighty, the There is no deity but Him, the Almighty, the All-Wise.”All-Wise.” (Surah Al -Imran:18(Surah Al -Imran:18

A Hadith

“Do not envy one another, do not hate one another, do not turn your back on one another (in discontent), and be the servants of Allah like brothers. ” (Bukhari, Muslim

Many people across the world will be entering this Many people across the world will be entering this month month RamadanRamadan afflicted by afflicted by conflictconflict, , povertypoverty, , hunger hunger and and various various diseasesdiseases. These peoples- one of their greatest desires is to . These peoples- one of their greatest desires is to live their lives live their lives free from anxietyfree from anxiety in an environment in which in an environment in which

peacepeace and and stabilitystability have been established. have been established.

The month of Ramadan is a most important time when mutual aid and solidarity among Muslims come to the fore. For that reason, the entire Islamic world must regard the month of Ramadan as a means of setting aside differences of opinion and disagreements and of coming together as a single body. In the same way that this solidarity displayed by Muslims will lead to the elimination of all perverted ideologies that are causes of oppression, it will also be the greatest support for Muslims living in difficulty and need.

The The Faith Faith inin IslamIslam is is SimplicitySimplicity

1. (The Prophet of Allah) said, “The 1. (The Prophet of Allah) said, “The faithfaith is is counsel/sinceritycounsel/sincerity.“ “.“ “In whom, O Prophet?In whom, O Prophet? “ “ we asked. He replied, “we asked. He replied, “For Allah, the Book, For Allah, the Book, the Prophet, Muslims’ leaders and for all the Prophet, Muslims’ leaders and for all MuslimsMuslims.“ (Muslim).“ (Muslim)

2. 2. Make it easy, not difficult, impart glad Make it easy, not difficult, impart glad tidings and do not cause people to hate ittidings and do not cause people to hate it. . (Bukhari)(Bukhari)

3. 3. Islam is moral virtueIslam is moral virtue. (Kanz al Ummal, . (Kanz al Ummal, 3/17, Hadith No: 5225)3/17, Hadith No: 5225)

Moral VirtueMoral Virtue 4. 4. A Muslim is someone whose hand and word A Muslim is someone whose hand and word

people are sure of (people are sure of (or safe withor safe with).). (Tirmidhi) (Tirmidhi) 5. It is certain that 5. It is certain that honestyhonesty leads to goodness. And leads to goodness. And

goodness leads to goodness leads to ParadiseParadise. It is written that by . It is written that by telling the truthtelling the truth a person tells the truth in the sight a person tells the truth in the sight of Allah. Falsehood leads to wickedness. And of Allah. Falsehood leads to wickedness. And wickednesswickedness leads to leads to HellHell. It is written that by . It is written that by telling telling lieslies a person is a a person is a great liargreat liar in the sight of Allah. in the sight of Allah. (Bukhari)(Bukhari)

6. 6. Avoid opposing Allah, wherever you may be: Avoid opposing Allah, wherever you may be: perform a good deed in the wake of an evil one so perform a good deed in the wake of an evil one so that the one may eliminate the other. Treat others that the one may eliminate the other. Treat others with proper moral values.with proper moral values. (Tirmidhi) (Tirmidhi)

7. 7. Allah is pleased by the work, labor and duty Allah is pleased by the work, labor and duty performed by one of you being sound and goodperformed by one of you being sound and good. . (at-Tabarani)(at-Tabarani)

8. 8. One who is a vehicle for good is like one One who is a vehicle for good is like one who does good.who does good. (Tirmidhi) (Tirmidhi)

9. 9. No father can give his child a greater No father can give his child a greater gift than a proper upbringing in gift than a proper upbringing in IslamIslam. . (Tirmidhi)(Tirmidhi)

10. Let he who has 10. Let he who has faith in Allahfaith in Allah and and the the Day of JudgementDay of Judgement not wrong his not wrong his neighbourneighbour. Let he who has . Let he who has faith in Allahfaith in Allah and and the Day of Judgementthe Day of Judgement offer offer refreshments to his guestrefreshments to his guest. Let he who has . Let he who has faith in Allahfaith in Allah and and the Day of Judgementthe Day of Judgement either speak good words or be silenteither speak good words or be silent. . (Bukhari)(Bukhari)

The The Month of RamadanMonth of Ramadan & The & The Night of Night of PowerPower

11. 11. The most virtuous word spoken by me and The most virtuous word spoken by me and the prophets before me is the prophets before me is “There is no other deity “There is no other deity than Allah. He is the One and Only, He has no than Allah. He is the One and Only, He has no equal, all belongs to Him, thanks are due to Him. equal, all belongs to Him, thanks are due to Him. He is Almighty.”He is Almighty.” (Tirmidhi) (Tirmidhi)

12. 12. The blessed Aisha (ra) relates: “O Prophet of The blessed Aisha (ra) relates: “O Prophet of Allah” I said, “How may I pray to be in harmony Allah” I said, “How may I pray to be in harmony with the Night of Power?”with the Night of Power?” He told me to recite He told me to recite this prayer:this prayer: “My God! You are the Most “My God! You are the Most Forgiving, You love Forgiveness, Forgiving, You love Forgiveness, forgive me!”forgive me!” (Tirmidhi) (Tirmidhi)

BrotherhoodBrotherhood 13. 13. A Muslim is one who wishes for his brother what he A Muslim is one who wishes for his brother what he

wishes for himself.wishes for himself. (Bukhari) (Bukhari) 14. 14. A Muslim is a Muslim’s brother. He does not oppress A Muslim is a Muslim’s brother. He does not oppress

him or hand him over (to his enemy). Allah will meet the him or hand him over (to his enemy). Allah will meet the need of him who meets the need of his brother (a need of him who meets the need of his brother (a believer). He who rescues a Muslim from difficulty will be believer). He who rescues a Muslim from difficulty will be rescued from difficulty by Allah on the Day of Judgment. rescued from difficulty by Allah on the Day of Judgment. And on the Day of Judgment Allah will cover up (the flaws And on the Day of Judgment Allah will cover up (the flaws of) him who covers up (the flaws of) a Muslim.of) him who covers up (the flaws of) a Muslim. (Bukhari) (Bukhari)

15. 15. Do not squabble with your Muslim brother, do not Do not squabble with your Muslim brother, do not make jokes he will not like and do not promise him make jokes he will not like and do not promise him something you cannot perform.something you cannot perform. (Tirmidhi) (Tirmidhi)

16. 16. Smiling at your brother (a believer) is giving alms. Smiling at your brother (a believer) is giving alms. Commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil is Commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil is giving alms. Removing and throwing away things like giving alms. Removing and throwing away things like stones, thorns and bones from the road is alms for you.stones, thorns and bones from the road is alms for you. (Tirmidhi) -end-(Tirmidhi) -end-

Wa Salaaam!!!Wa Salaaam!!!

And Peace be And Peace be upon us all…upon us all…