The Holy Qur’an describesSawm (Fasting) at a greatlength. No other pillars of Islam were mentioned in the Qur’an in details as Fasting.
It is worth mentioning that all Divine Books were sent down during the holy month of Ramadan. Accordingly, the Qur’an was first revealed from al-Lawh-al-Mahfooz (The preserved Tablet) to the first heaven in LaylatulQadr (the night of Decree) all at once, then it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺthrough Angel Jibrail intermittently over a period of 23 years. Similarly, the Suhuf (Scrolls) were sent down to Prophet Ibrahim on the first or third Ramadan. ProphetDaud received Zabur on 12th or 18th Ramadan, Prophet Musa received Tawrat on sixth Ramadan and Prophet Isa received Injil on 12th or13th Ramadan. Obviously, the holy month of Ramadan has a special relationship with all Divine Books.
As regards the Holy Qur’an,it is one of the greatest miracles of Allah.As the Holy Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan,it has a special relevance to the holy month of Ramadan.And that is why Ramadan is described as the month of the Qur’an.
The main purpose of the Holy Qur’an is to lead mankind from darkness towards the light. Every book has its subject matter.And thesubject matter of theQur’an is mankind. Allah vividly says, “This is a Book which We have revealed to you that you may bring forth mankind from every kind of darkness into light, and direct them, with the leave of their Lord, to the Way of the Mighty, the Innately Praiseworthy.” (S.14.A.1)
“It is the Qur’an alone which enriches us. Let us present before you some gems gleaned from the treasure-house that is the Qur’an. Its wealth suffices for the whole of mankind. Only the Qur’an can enrich the super-rich, mighty rulers and flourishing business tycoons. It can change their fortunes. Rather, it can make them rich in the real and abiding sense of the term.
“TheQur’an is capable of achieving such transformation. Those indifferent to it turn into utter losers. This is the constant divine law.If the Qur’an is not acted upon in the right spirit, its bearers are doomed for destruction. The laws enacted by Allah make no distinction. It is common knowledge that laws are to be respected and applied uniformly.The same holds true of the Qur’an and divine laws are tobe respected and applied uniformly. Those failing to obtain guidance from the Qur’an are destroyed in accordance with divine laws.”(Guidance from the Holy Qur’an,p. 5)
“The Holy Qur’an is the uncreated word of Allah. The Qur’an,final message to man, is exactly the same in its present version as it was at the time of the Prophet ﷺ.The Qur’an is the Book of Hidayah,the Guidance for man.Its authority is final. The Qur’an has come down to us complete. No changes have been ever made in it.Nothing of it is missing. No additions have ever been made to it.No part of it is forgotten. The Qur’an is protected by Allah Himself from all corruption. This is the only Revealed Book in the world today, preserved in its original form. It is free from all distortions. It is precisely in the wording in which it was sent down upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The text of the Qur’an has remained free from all alterations, additions or deletions. Since it was revealed,there is no other instance of any book, of whatever description, which has been preserved over such a length of time”.(Studies in Islam)
It should be kept in mind that Allah is the Protector of His Book. As the Qur’an says, “As for the Admonition, indeed it is We Who have revealed it and it is indeed We Who are its guardians.”(S.15.A.9) Similarly, He is also Protector of those who learn, read and follow its teachings and injunctions.
As regards Fasting, itis the fourth Pillar of Islam. The Holy Qur’an says, “Believers! Fasting is enjoined upon you, as it was enjoined upon those before you, that you become God-fearing. Fasting is for a fixed number of days, and if one of you be sick, or if one of you be on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later on.”( S.2.A.183-184)
It is also a special gift of Allah. It strengthens and deepens our Iman (Faith). “It deeply affects the human heart both spiritually and physically. It brings us closer to Allah, making us more aware our actions and intentions.Besides, it helps reduce anxiety, stress and depression, promoting a sense of inner peace and contentment. It also helps purifying the heart by removing negative traits like greed, arrogance, and anger. It is the best opportunity for self-reflection, repentance and strengthening the connection with Allah.”
Prophet Muhammad ﷺsays, “When the month of Ramadanbegins, the gates of Mercy are opened, the gates of hell are locked, the devils are shut.”(Muslim)Every act of man is for him except fasting. It is done for My (Allah’s) sake, andI will give a reward for it.The breath of the faster is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk.”(Muslim)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaid, “There are three persons whose dua is not rejected, the fasting person until he opens his fast,the just leader and the supplication of the oppressed person.”(Tirmidhi)
He also said, “Whoever observes theFast, believing and seeking reward of Allah, his past sins forgiven.”
It is significant to note that the Holy Qur’an is one of the greatestblessings ofAllah. It has a deep relationship with the month of Ramadan; it was revealed to last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Jibrail during the month of Ramadan.As the Holy Qur’an vividly 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 betweenright and wrong. So, everyone of youwho ispresent at his home during this month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up bydays later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. He wants you to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.”(S.2.A.185)
Muslims observe fast from dawn to sunset, engage in extra prayers, including the Tarawih prayer. They listen to the entireHoly Qur’an during this holy month.
The believers strive to complete the recitation of the Holy Qur’an at least once during this blessed month.
No doubt, the Holy Qur’an is closely related to Ramadan.Even the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to recite the Holy Qur’an in every Ramadan and Hazrat Jibrail used to recite it to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Listening to the Holy Qur’an and reciting it is Sunnah.Generally it is followed in Tarawih prayer.
It should be noted that the trend of reciting the Holy Qur’an increases in the holy month of Ramadan and generally Muslims recite more during this holy month, considering the relationship between the Qur’an and Ramadan.
It should alsobe noted that the Holy Qur’an was sent down onLaylatulQadr during the month of Ramadan.The Quran speaks of LaylatulQadrat two places. In Surah 97,it is mentioned thrice and in Surah 44, it is described as LaylatunMubarakah,a blessed night; a night of grandeur and majesty. Allahsays,“We have sent it down on the Night of Power. What will make you know what the Night of Power is? The Night of power is better than a thousand months.”(S.97.A.1-3)
Several Traditions show that the believers should look for LaylatulQadr as one of the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Allah’s Messenger is reported to have said,“Seek LaylatulQadr among the odd nights during the last nights of Ramadan.”
Prophet Muhammad ﷺis reported to have said, “He who passes the LaylatulQadr in prayer, out of faith and seeking pleasure of Allah, will have his past sins forgiven!”.
More importantly, Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaid, “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for the slave on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, “O my Lord! Prevented him from food and sexual desires, so accept my intercession for him.” Likewise, the Qur’an will intercede for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.” This means that our good deeds and actions will be weighed against our bad ones on the Day of Judgment.
That is why Muslims spend this night in prayer and seeking Divine blessings.
In short, the Holy Qur’an and Sawm(Fasting) are both great blessings of Allah for believers and both can lead them to lifelong spiritual and physical benefits.
Hence, it is imperative for us to spend this holy month of Ramadan by reciting the Holy Qur’an as much as we can and attain Taqwa (piety) which is the sole purpose of the holy month of Ramadan.
[The writer is Faculty Member, DarulUloomNadwatul Ulama, Lucknow]