What is too apparent now is the physical activity in homes and outside going on in preparation for Ramadhan.  But there is also an inner more important preparation taking place.

We are all making an effort to cleanse our hearts of the debris accumulated there … Clogging it and not letting the light shine though, bright as it should. We need to rejuvenate our hearts and make them alive.

How?  By taking account of ourselves.  By repenting.  Making our intentions pure by not doing things for people to benefit from them later.  Keeping our desires, wishes, wants and cravings in check.  Resolving to do better.  And working for a shift in focus.  Again asking ourselves what is the purpose of existence?

The purpose is:  to recognize our Creator and live according to His Will and shown ways.

Regarding fasting, Allah said In the Qur’an: 

"Fasting has been enjoined upon you and those before you so that you may become God-conscious, righteous."  (2:183)

It is an order so we comply immediately.  We fast.

This is a month, a training period where we put the usual and mundane aspects of living aside to strive to make the connection with our Lord better.  This can only be accomplished by doing His will.

We must protect ourselves, our families and all those we can reach out to with this message from harm.

How, you may ask again?

By keeping your purpose prioritized, highlighted. Live and earn and strive and struggle within the boundaries laid out by Allah.  Through self-appraisal fix your weaknesses, give up bad habits and evil practices.  Give rights, respect and justice.  In short, let us mend our ways.  Our framework is the Qur’an and Sunnah.  And we should call others to it.

Allah, our Creator tells us: 

"[It is] an Arabic Qur'an, without any deviance, that they might become righteous." (39:28)  

"The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion [between right and wrong]."  (2:185)

"O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you."  (8:29)

Fasting is one of the means to acquire God-consciousness.  Thus, when the heart starts getting the spiritual food it needs, it will thrive and flourish.
And the beauty of our Creators purpose will shine forth.  The darknesses of doubt, ignorance, deceit, lying, cheating, ill manners and pride will all be banished.  Light takes over, eliminating darkness. 

And true light is Allah's guidance.

The Qur’an, which was first revealed in Ramadhan is what we seek to implement with renewed, recharged batteries in Ramadhan and post Ramadhan.

It is a light, a beacon of hope, love, compassion, mercy for each and every one of us.  And following this light is ‘the Ultimate Success.’

By Amena Tanveer