Head of Trend Middle East Desk, Rufiz Hafizoglu
The month of Ramadan considered as a month of grace has already begun for the entire Muslim Ummah. Every year, Muslims all over the world carry out various activities in connection with Ramadan. But do Muslims, carrying out the requirements of Islam, know all about the Holy month of Ramadan?
The many believe that Allah commanded only Muslims to fast. But if we review Ayats of the Quran, we will see that the Oruj has been sent down not only to Muslims, but also to pre-Islamic Ummah too. The Surat Al-Baqarah Verse 183 of the Quran says: "O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fast) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)."
Allah says Oruj applies not only to Muslims, but also to pre-Islamic Ummah
At the same time, Oruj is one of the five conditions of Islam. The Islamic Prophet's hadith says: "Islam is based on five pillars: to say "I witness that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His Messenger", to practice namaz (prayer), to pay zakat, to perform Hajj and to fast.
About the month of Ramadan, it is important to know that the Quran and other divine books have been sent down in this month. If you read the Prophet's Hadith, we can see it clearly. In one Hadith, the Prophet says: "The scrolls sent to Ibrahim have been sent down the first night of Ramadan, Tawrat in the sixth night of Ramadan, Injil in the thirteenth night of Ramadan and Quran in the twenty-fourth night of."
The main reason for which the month of Ramadan is so loved and distinguished from other months is that all Muslims fast in this month.
One more milestone distinguishes Ramadan from others: there is a night in this month which is important from thousand months. About the Qadr night, ayats of the Quran says: "Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months."
Despite the differences among Muslims in some matters, the month of Ramadan is a month of unity and equality. This year, like every year, the month of Ramadan has begun in Muslim countries on different days.
Some of the Muslims considers the fact of beginning of the month of Ramadan in different Muslim countries on different days as a provocation against the Islamic Unity. In fact, it is not so. The beginning of the month of Ramadan is linked to the emergence of a new moon, so the beginning of fasting falls on different days, depending on the geographical location of the country.
For example, if the beginning of the Oruj in Turkey falls on Aug. 21, then it will begin in Azerbaijan and Iran one day later.
Facing this situation, some Muslims have some questions that what the country should be guided concerning the beginning of Oruj? In this regard, Muslim theologians are unanimous - Muslims must begin to fast after beginning of the month of Ramadan in their own country.
Some Muslims' opinion that Oruj is simply denial from food and drink from dawn till dusk is wrong, because Muslims must at the same time keep Oruj in their soul and be purified spiritually, by not committing evil deeds and shunning evil thoughts. If we read the Hadith, we can see the Prophet's speech about some of those who fast: "In my Ummah, there are those who believe that Ramadan requires them only to be hungry and thirsty." Therefore, it is necessary to understand that Oruj is not fasting, but worshiping Allah, goodness and purity of heart.
What actions should be done in Ramadan, being a month of unity and spiritual purity?
Undoubtedly, first of all it is necessary to mentally prepare for the beginning of Ramadan and Oruj, because the Prophet and his followers were preparing for this month six months before its beginning. And this assumes that the month of Ramadan has superiority over the other months due to its religious advantages.
One of the most important conditions of this month is to pray to Allah and to ask forgiveness for sins. About this, Allah commands in the Quran: " Say: "O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!"
Another action in this month is to glorify Allah, pray and assist indigent and poor. If we look at the Islamic Prophet's life, we can see that in the month of Ramadan, he was more generous than in other months.
And it is very important to know that the month of Ramadan is divided into three parts: the first - the grace, the second - the forgiveness of sins, the third - the salvation from hell.
Regarding that this month is a month closer to Allah and forgiveness of sins, then try to take advantage of this holy month to the best of, and every time think that the Ramadan is the latest in our lives and we will not have this opportunity any more.