Al Haqeeqa
Ramzan/Ramadan (scorching heat or dryness), is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is observed as a ‘Fard’ (obligatory) by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (Sawn) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Believers, being entitled to Allah’s ‘Thawab’ (reward), refrain from sinful behavior and indulge in good deeds/charity during the period. It is ordained that Muslims/leaders/countries must suspend violence, blood-bath, hostilities and armed expeditions during Ramzan (Indian Government always declares cessation of armed operations in J&K during the period).
“Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil.” (2:183)
Roza is an annual reminder of the importance and sensitization of food and water in our lives. It literally means abstinence, and believers literally refrain / abstain (dawn till sunset) from food and drink to attain proximity with Allah, observe righteousness, peace and compassion for the whole of creation. Fasting in the month of Ramadan begins with sighting of the new moon and ends with sighting of the moon in the next month of Shawwal. The following day is the day of celebration of Eid, which literally means ‘coming again & again’, exhorting believers to re-plan one’s life by taking lessons from the past and applying it to the future.
Roza is a way of self-empowerment, a saintly method of self-upliftment and inculcation of the spirit of self-control, which is the other name of spiritual strength. The spirit of self-control is the key to every success, and provides power to influence/control the whole world. Roza is a course of annual re-strengthening of one’s inner personality for universal welfare, in consonance with the creation and the creator.
