Efficacy of Ramzan – The Hindu

There comes a time in everyone’s life when one has to face oneself and ask, ‘what have I achieved in life, and what more should I do.’ The answer is very simple. Get closer to God and cleanse your inner self of sinful thoughts, words and deeds. Observe Ramzan, the God-given time and opportunity to become a better person.

Falling in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramzan, the month-long ritual embraced by Muslims across the world, is a sacred period of fasting, renewing one’s faith in one God, praying and charity among other things. This was the time when the Holy Koran was made available to the faithful, in order to serve as a guide and teach mankind to know right from wrong. It is imperative that one reads from the Holy Book, communal prayer, and listen to discourses from spiritual leaders and abide by the teaching, fostering amity, godliness and charity.

The spirit of Ramzan embodies humility, charity, devotion and self-discipline. The dawn to dusk fasting is embraced by all adult Muslims (with the sick, the infirm and pregnant women being exempt). This is the time to get closer to God. The Holy Koran says, “O believers! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint.” Those who are unable to observe due to extraneous constraints, may do so later, as soon as it is possible. It is time to recall all that one has been blessed with and to thank God for His guidance and kindness. It is a time for full gratitude.

Ramzan fosters love and brotherhood among Muslims and during this period they are encouraged — than even before — to share a portion of their wealth with the less fortunate brothers. It is one’s bounden duty to be kind to others.

Ramzan starts in mid-February this year.