Heart-to-Heart

Dr. Mohammad Manzoor Alam

We are moving quickly towards the end of the first ashrah (ten days) of the holy month of Ramadan. See, how quickly time passes. It passes more quickly if you are busy praying and reading from the Quran.

This month has a close relationship with the Quran, Allah’s Book sent to Muslims through the Prophet (PBUH). This holy book, the source of guidance for Muslims - past, present and future - was revealed in this blessed month.

Hence, salat-al-taravih, which involves the recital of the whole of the holy book after Isha prayers, is specific to it. The book is completed every seventh, tenth, 16th or 21st night. it may be completed earlier or later, or even in 30 days, depending on the convenience of musallis (worshippers).

A point to be remembered: According to the Sunni doctrine, taravih should continue from the beginning of Ramadan to its end. So, if you have completed the Quran in the first ten days or 21 days, or whatever, you have to keep offering taravih till the Eid moon is sighted.

The month has many blessed memories for the Ummah. The Battle of Badr took place in this month. From that moment on, Islam had its feet firmly planted in earth and Muslim confidence in rightness of their faith became unshakeable. Allah be praised for granting us such great favours.

It is a month of fasting from dawn to dusk and abstinence from sex during those hours. In fact, it is a part of a larger training to be pious, straight forward, forebearing and truthful. It is also a month of being extra-considerate and compassionate. These qualities are prized over the entire year, and every moment of it, but this month particularly sensitises us to others’ needs and troubles. We are expected to help the needy and those in trouble.

Allah says these 29-30 days and nights are given to us so that we become pious and God-fearing. It is time to train our hearts and minds, bodies and souls, to be steadfast believers and good human beings.

Its first ashrah signifies God’s Mercy; the second, God’s Pardon, and the third deliverance from hell. Every moment of the month is precious and must never be wasted.

Towards the end of the month comes Lailat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power) when a night’s prayer is reckoned by God as better than a prayer of a thousand months. Muslims have been told to look for this great night on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan. It could be any of these nights.

Be grateful to Allah for this month and use every moment of it for Allah’s remembrance. May Allah guide us to receive His Blessings.