Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla y Centro Cultural Islámico de Sevilla®
If the sahada is the gateway to a path that opens us to a new dimension of the reality of all there is, paraphrasing Ortega; and the salat is the north and constancy on the road, we could say that Ramadan is the shattering life experience that reorders the inner and outer reality according to the Sharia clarifying our spirit, cleansing our body and calming our mind from the constant neurosis of life in Western societies.
Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is an obligation for every adult, sane and healthy Muslim.
This fasting is performed from the break of dawn(Fyar) until sunset(Magrihb) and consists of abstaining from ingesting any type of food or liquid, smoking and sexual activities.
It should also be avoided to exhibit the body, to paint oneself or to use perfumes.
This fasting is performed from the break of dawn(Fyar) until sunset(Magrihb) and consists of abstaining from ingesting any type of food or liquid, smoking and sexual activities.
It should also be avoided to exhibit the body, to paint oneself or to use perfumes.
Ramadan is a month of recollection, meditation and worship; in which the spirit and himma (yearning) of the Muslim grows and is nourished through the worship of Allah, placing him on another level of awareness of reality.
It is a period of immense reward for both Dunia (this world) and Ajira (the world to come), and a period in which Shaitan is chained and life takes on immense ease and simplicity.
It is a period of immense reward for both Dunia (this world) and Ajira (the world to come), and a period in which Shaitan is chained and life takes on immense ease and simplicity.
Fasting is not merely physical; its implications are much more far-reaching.
We must try to keep our tongue and our sight in check, refrain from entering into debate, control our instincts and emotions and, in short, distance ourselves from everything that is superfluous and burdensome to our spirit.
This is the time when we face our Nafs most directly and openly and when we realize that, with the right will and with Allah’s help, the task of its taming is possible.
We must try to keep our tongue and our sight in check, refrain from entering into debate, control our instincts and emotions and, in short, distance ourselves from everything that is superfluous and burdensome to our spirit.
This is the time when we face our Nafs most directly and openly and when we realize that, with the right will and with Allah’s help, the task of its taming is possible.
Reading the Noble Qur’an is a highly recommended activity during the month of Ramadan as it keeps us in Dkra (remembrance) of Allah, soothes our spirit with nourishment and brings us serenity and knowledge.
Although fasting is a very personal thing, the Yammâ (community) takes on special importance at this time.
It is advisable to break the fast at Yammâ whenever possible; it is a time to be in the company of Muslims, to enjoy dinner (Iftar) and to learn.
In well-established communities, families take turns preparing the breaking of the fast and the dinner afterwards; each day one family is responsible for the preparation of the meal as well as for serving and collecting.
It is advisable to break the fast at Yammâ whenever possible; it is a time to be in the company of Muslims, to enjoy dinner (Iftar) and to learn.
In well-established communities, families take turns preparing the breaking of the fast and the dinner afterwards; each day one family is responsible for the preparation of the meal as well as for serving and collecting.
It is curious to see, year after year, how the two sides of this coin shine; it is probably the hardest time of the year for Muslims, a time of total fasting, abstinence, restraint, withdrawal, and yet it is when more people approach Islam, and even, from my short experience, when more conversions occur.
This may perhaps give us a clue to the treasures that Ramadan holds.
This may perhaps give us a clue to the treasures that Ramadan holds.
For the non-Muslim world(Kfur) all this is not very understandable.
And in fact it would not be for anyone if we were to stay on the surface where, at times, their analysis swims.
As stated above Ramadan is not simply giving up food and drink as many interpret it, but fasting encompasses much more and these restrictions are but means; just like Quran recitation, study, strict observance of salat and its timings, retreat etc. to raise our himma and draw closer to Allah.
The intention one has in one’s heart is in this sense fundamental.
There is in this regard a famous Hadith of Prophet Mohadmmed (SAW) that says:
And in fact it would not be for anyone if we were to stay on the surface where, at times, their analysis swims.
As stated above Ramadan is not simply giving up food and drink as many interpret it, but fasting encompasses much more and these restrictions are but means; just like Quran recitation, study, strict observance of salat and its timings, retreat etc. to raise our himma and draw closer to Allah.
The intention one has in one’s heart is in this sense fundamental.
There is in this regard a famous Hadith of Prophet Mohadmmed (SAW) that says:
“There are people who fast and get nothing but hunger and thirst, and there are those who pray at night and get nothing but a sleepless night.”
During the month of Ramadan a special salat is performed that does not take place at any other time of the year, the Tarawi, and consists of reciting the entire Noble Quran throughout the month, each night a fragment is recited, after the salat al Isha, until the end is reached.
Its conclusion is usually left for a very special night, the most special of all Ramadan; Layla al-Qadr, the night of power, the night of forgiveness.
Its conclusion is usually left for a very special night, the most special of all Ramadan; Layla al-Qadr, the night of power, the night of forgiveness.
This was the night when the messenger of Allah (SAW) received the revelation on the mountain of Arafa.
It is contained in the hadiths that the baraka (reward) of this night is equivalent to a thousand months of worship.
On it the angels descend to earth and all our faults are forgiven.
This night is spent in the mosques reciting the Noble Qur’an until the dawn breaks.
It is contained in the hadiths that the baraka (reward) of this night is equivalent to a thousand months of worship.
On it the angels descend to earth and all our faults are forgiven.
This night is spent in the mosques reciting the Noble Qur’an until the dawn breaks.
Ramadan is an inner experience of knowledge and exploration of one’s own limits, of one’s weaknesses, of the power of one’s will, of one’s unknown capacities and resistances, of one’s spirituality, of oneself and one’s Nafs.
From all this, as from everything in life, one can take in more or less depending on one’s yearning and capacity; one can choose to imbibe it all or to tiptoe around it.
Be that as it may, it is an ideal moment to live Islam in all its intensity.
Be that as it may, it is an ideal moment to live Islam in all its intensity.
But Allah knows best about all this.
“Allahuma lakasuntu wa bika amantu wa laika tawakaultu wala rizquika aftartu rabbil alamin.”
Author: Nizzar Vizcaino
