Fasting and Purification

The Holy Qur'an refers to two features of fasting in Ramadan: mental and practical. These are like the wings of a bird on which man flies through the heavenly space of spirituality in the month of Ramadan.

The Qur'an says: "Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong)." (2:185)

This means that in the month of Ramadan, one should get to know the Qur'an better and, through the clearance of guidance, take a broader view of the right and wrong of life. The Qur'an says: "O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil)." (2:183)

Here the Qur'an emphasizes piety; that means fighting against and having victory over the false deity of the soul. Imam Ali (A.S.) said: "The bravest are those who gain victory over the false deity of their souls." (Safinatul-Bihar; vol.1, P.689).

In the holy month of Ramadan, human beings are the guests of God; therefore they have to be eligible for His divine honor. The Qur'an says: "We purified him so that he could be saved." (91:9) Also the Qur'an says: "We created man of the best stature. Then We reduced him to the lowest degree." (95:4-5)

God has given man the power and insight to choose his course in life. God has also given man the attribute of knowledge in an abstract form. This is the divine trust that man has assumed. The Qur'an says: "Surely We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to be unfaithful to it and feared from it, and man has turned unfaithful to it; surely he is unjust, ignorant." (33:72) Satan, who symbolizes the wrong and animal dimensions of man, refused out of arrogance to prostrate before Adam and was cast out of Paradise. So, in order to retaliate, he has been tempting man ever since. For salvation, man needs the purification of his soul in addition to knowledge and insight. Such purification is obtained by having heartfelt faith in God. Man's soul should enjoin him unto good, not unto evil.

The Qur'an says: "And I do not declare myself free, most surely (man's) self is wont to command (him to do) evil, except such as my Lord has had mercy on, surely my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful." (12:53)

Man should not be a prisoner of his soul enjoining himself unto evil. Imam Khomeini (r.a.) said that if man wanted to attain human perfection, he should avoid worldly pleasures and strive to get nearer to God. The Qur'an says:"It is He who has placed you as viceroys of the earth....". Then how can man, as a viceroy of God, be without the divine attributes of his Lord?" A true man of faith has kindled the fire of faith within him, and fasting is something that enhances his faith. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Fasting is prescribed for man to purify his soul." In Ramadan, the month of fasting, you become the guest of God. Do praise Him with devotion. God will answer all your prayers in this month. Fasting is the glad tidings of God's all-embracing mercy.

Imam Ali (A.S.) asked the Prophet on the last Friday of the month of Shaaban: "What is the best thing to do in Ramadan?" The Prophet answered: "The best thing is to avoid committing sins." (Yun al-Akhbar ar-Ridha, vol.1). It is also stated that eating and drinking alone do not cause refraining from fasting. It should be known that refraining from everything that causes man to part from God is also counted.

Fasting has many advantages. God calls man to His feast while he is hungry, so then man can best appreciate the value of His bounties. The month of Ramadan is the spring of the Qur'an. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "He who reads a verse of the Qur'an in Ramadan is equal to having read all of the Holy Qur'an in other months." (Bihar al­Anwar, vol.16).

Imam Ali (A.S.) said: "Do muse about the Qur'an whose teachings make your heart bloom with divine guidance". (Baharul-Anwar, vol.2). Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.) said: "Read the Qur'an while regarding God Who manifests Himself unto man in His words."

On the Night of Power pray to God with all your heart and He will definitely answer all your prayers. The Qur'an says : "Surely We revealed it (the Holy Qur'an) on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning." (97:1-5)

Believers should keep themselves wide-awake and perform the act of worship unto their Lord overnight, especially on the Night of Power. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Those who are deprived of the divine forgiveness are indeed ill fated." He also said: "Pray to God, repent and He will answer all your prayers." (Uyun al­Akhbar, al-Rida, vol.1)

The Feast of Eid-e-Fitr (Bairam):

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is in the same Month of Ramadan believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, as guidance to mankind, and a means of Salvation."

It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation.

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. The fast is resumed the next morning.

When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation.

The feast of Fitr is God's reward for those who fast during the holy month of Ramadan. In this month, man should try to add to his true knowledge of God, do acts of charity for the needy renew his beliefs towards his Lord and this will be a real Bairam (Turkish word meaning festival) for him. The prayers of the day of Bairam a reason of unity and solidarity of Muslims all over the world. On this day do honor God for His endless and all-enhancing mercy.