Ramadan, the Quran, and Me

EsinIslam Ramadan

Ramadan Explorer

By Mohsen Haredy

Muslims believe that the Quran is the word of God. It was revealed over a period of 23 years through Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Angel Gabriel used to revise the Quran with the Prophet once a year. But in the year of the Prophet's death, Gabriel revised with Prophet Muhammad all what was revealed to him twice. The revision process took place during the month of Ramadan. That is why the month of Ramadan is always linked to the Quran.

According to Muslims, everything linked to the Quran has a special significance. The night in which the Quran was revealed is called the "blessed night". The paper on which the Quran is written should be touched by people who show respect to it.

Ramadan is the month during which Muslims observe fasting, the fourth pillar of Islam. Fasting train Muslims how to discipline themselves and how to surrender themselves to God's commands.

Practicing Muslims do their best to get closer to God during Ramadan. They do extra good deeds, help the poor and the needy, visit their relatives, and so on. The best kind of worship they can do, however, is read the Quran. When Muslims read the Quran, they feel that God is addressing them directly.

The Quran is everywhere, in our cars, houses, offices, bookshelves, and even in our hearts, as many Muslims learn it by heart. But the question is, is it in our life? Do we act upon it? Do we embrace it in our daily life?

From my experience, the book really talks to me. I feel that every single command to do certain things and not to do certain things, is addressed to me. Sometimes when I am really concentrating while reading the Quran I find myself crying because of the way it addresses different issues.

Muslims are very keen to finish reading the Quran once or twice during the month of Ramadan. Early Muslim scholars used to finish reading the Quran many times. Imam Al-Shafi, one of the founders of the four main schools of thought, is said to have finished reading the Quran twice every night during Ramadan.

What is more important than reading the Quran, is reflecting and pondering on its meanings. While reading the Quran recently, one verse stopped me. The verse reads to mean:

[Tell those who believe to forgive those who hope not for the days of God; in order that He may requite folk what they used to earn.] (Al-Jathiyah 45:14)

The verse urges Muslims to be kind to non-Muslims who do not hope for the days of God. What is meant by the days of God is His promise of rewards to those who believe in Him. The verse was revealed when one of the non-Muslims of Makkah abused the Prophet's Companion, Umar ibn Al-Khattab. (may Allah be please with him). Initially, Umar wanted revenge. So the verse was revealed asking Umar and other Muslims to forgive the man and anyone who wants to inflict harm on them.

When Muslims are oppressed and discriminated against, they should show patience and put their trust in God that surely He will make a way out for them.

The idea of forgiving those who harm us and try to hurt our feeling is very basic in Muslim belief. Muslims are forgiving human beings. They forgive because God the Creator is also forgiving. How come that the Creator of the world is forgiving and we the humans are not?

This is one verse among many other verses which urge Muslims to be kind to all people, even those who harm them.

Mohsen Haredy is the Managing Editor of Reading Islam website. He graduated from Al-Azhar University and earned his MA in Hadith literature from Leiden University, the Netherlands.Currently he is an overseas PhD student at Leiden University.
 

EsinIslam Ramadan Team

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