Overall great religious enthusiasm is observed and a sense of spirituality can be experienced everywhere in the county....
THINK PAD
Ramazan is one of the most sacred of Islamic months. In this month, the value of worship is enhanced so people tend to pray more in Ramazan as compared to other months. Mosques are often seen packed with people at the time of salah. During the last ten days, people observe Itikaf and come out of it when the Shawal moon is sighted. People stay awake and pray on alternate nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th) as Laylat al-Qadr or the night of power can be found in these nights. Overall great religious enthusiasm is observed and a sense of spirituality can be experienced everywhere in the county.
Unfortunately, it seems a large number of people think that Ramazan is the only month in which we should pray and try to abstain from doing bad deeds. Truth is that the value of worship is only increased in this month but all good deeds should be performed throughout the year. Just as people throng to the mosque when the Ramazan moon is sighted, they disappear when the Shawal moon appears.
Another misconception - and a trend - about fasting is that staying off the food from sunrise to sunset is what fasting is all about. In fact, that is not the only purpose of fasting. Fasting means to refrain from all the bad deeds such as telling lies, keeping grudges, back biting, teasing, hurting and abusing people, and performing good deeds like giving charity to needy people in this month to get more reward, helping poor financially and in other ways and behaving well with everyone.
But, these things should not be restricted to Ramazan only. It should be understood that abstaining from bad deeds and performing good deeds should become a norm for us. These practice should be continued in other months, also.
For instance, one of the objectives of fasting is to learn patience but it is often seen that people become impatient during fasting and it is practically seen just before iftar as people rush to their destination before sunset to break their fast. In order to reach their destination early, people drive very fast and recklessly, breaking traffic rules with impunity. As a result, little accidents and fights and exchange of hot words ensue which sabotage the purpose of fasting, as Ramazan teaches us to be patient.
It is imperative that we understand the true objectives of Ramazan and fasting. We should try to understand why we cannot be discourteous and impatient when we are fasting. It is apparent that most people think that fasting only means to stay hungry and thirsty. We think nothing of doing bad deeds. But, a person who becomes spiritually strong through prayers should be able to understand the true objective of fasting and should act accordingly.
