by Ameera

Created on: August 05, 2009   Last Updated: August 08, 2009

O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqn. ( Qur'an 2:183)

Ramadan is fast approaching and it is about time we pick up the pace and prepare for this month in the right way. How do we prepare for a very important meeting or a crucial exam? Of course, we spend some time planning and drawing up a schedule to organize what needs to be done beforehand so that we are ready for the big day. The same level of dedication, even more in fact, should be seen when a month as important as Ramadan approaches!

It is often seen that at the start of Ramadan, there is a lot of excitement and zeal to make the best of this blessed month but then people begin to slack and go off track. Not setting the right foundation before Ramadan begins is one reason for that. The most important thing to remember here is that it is a great blessing and mercy from Allah(swt) that we are able to witness this month in the first place. When we realize this month is a valuable opportunity from Allah(swt) that we must not waste, that so many people who have passed away have not had this chance that we have, it is then that we can make the right foundation.

Allah(swt) commands us to fast and then tells us that the purpose of fasting is to develop "Taqwa". Taqwa means piety or being conscious of Allah(swt), avoiding sin out of that awareness and willingly doing good deeds for His Pleasure. When you think about it, does everyone who fasts become such a kind of person or even close to that at the end of Ramadan? If the answer is 'no' or something similar, we have missed the whole point of fasting. Sadly, that is what we are doing every passing year; not all of us, but many and that is why Ramadan's coming and going makes no lasting positive difference, may Allah guide us! This is reiterated in the following Hadith:

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness". (Darimi)

Part of the reason for this sad reality is that we are not ready for Ramadan when it begins. Washing your face and sitting down at the table for Suhoor on the first day of Ramadan is not what preparing for Ramadan is about. Checking out the Iftaar deals in your favorite restaurants is also not what being ready entails. Fasting is in obedience

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