A Ramadan Reflection
By Rabia Harris
Ramadan is the month of revelation. It is famously celebrated as the lunar month in which the Qur’an first began to unfold out of the invisible realm and into this world of ours through the heart and tongue of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. The Qur’an itself tells us as much. What is far less well-known is that, according to the Prophet, the words of guidance given to Abraham, the Torah given to Moses, and the Good News given to Jesus (peace be upon them) also arrived in the same month, in the same cyclic moment. Ramadan is the customary recurring entry point of God’s wisdom into history. We all ought to be praying for that now.
There are many benefits to the fasting ordained for Ramadan, and we mostly discover them through our own experience. One gift that Muslims return to again and again is solidarity with the hungry. Our little voluntary hunger can open us to the great involuntary hunger suffered by the needy of the world, soften our hearts, and inspire us to take action to aid them. Surely that is a great part of what the wisdom of God intends.
Our thoughts in this difficult time turn particularly to those starving in Gaza. Pray for them, act for them, and — if you are not fasting already — consider a solidarity fast. Ramadan is also a month in which prayers receive answers and the effects of good deeds are multiplied. Let us focus our efforts.
Suhayb ibn Sinan reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best of you are those who feed others.” [Al Musnad]
