Ramadan: Sacred Journey of the Reflection, Ibadah and Personal Growth

Ramadan, the month of blessings, reflection and spiritual renewal is about to begin. It is the time of the year when Muslims all across the world start to prepare their selves physically, mentally and spiritually to get the most out of this blessed month. A sense of calm and peace surrounds Ramadan which provides the best atmosphere to rekindle our lost connection with our Creator (Allah).

The significance of Ramadan is not just limited to resisting food and drinks during fasting hours. It rather centers on cleansing the heart and nourishing the soul. Let’s understand other important aspects of Ramadan beyond fasting.

Focusing on the Power of Self-Reflection

Ramadan provides us an opportunity to take a break from routine hustles and reconnect with our inner self. The Ramadan schedule enables us to break through our habitual patterns and learn fresh practices that support our spiritual growth. It allows us to purify our intentions and let go of old thought patterns that no longer serve us. The act of fasting also revives the sense of self-control and patience in us.

Embracing the Supremacy of Prayer to Reconnect

Salah (prayer) is like a direct gateway to Allah. It’s the moment of ultimate surrender where we speak our heart out and unload all our fears, worries and accept all our shortcomings. By regularly offering our daily five prayers, we can reconnect with Allah and establish a lasting bond with Him. Apart from these five obligatory prayers Ramadan presents us with an added opportunity in the form of Taraweeh. Taraweeh is the extra prayers, offered at night after Isha, to please Allah and get bonus reward. During the sacred sessions of Tarawee, the verses of Quran echoing in the stillness of night creates a serene and mystical atmosphere that soothes the heart of Sa’im (the one who fasts).

Spiritual Makeover through Giving (Charity)

Zakat (charitable donations) is one of the fundamental aspects of Ramadan’s spiritual practices. Zakat means giving in both material and emotional ways. The purpose of zakat goes beyond financial donations to the deprived. It is rather about cleansing your wealth from impurities (greed, material attachment) and fostering a sense of compassion, economic equality and spiritual growth. Practice charity in Ramadan not only through your money but also through your acts of kindness to amplify your rewards in Ramadan.

Fasting as a Path to Discipline and Gratitude

Fasting is the soul of Ramadan. It means abstaining from food, drinks and certain physical needs from dawn till dusk. It is a powerful tool to purify the soul and practice self-control, resilience, and patience. Fasting teaches us to be grateful for the things that we usually take for granted like abundance of food and water and much more.

Ramadan offers a chance for self-purification and reconnection with Allah. Let’s take a pledge to work on our self-renewal by adopting fresh and wholesome habits, seeking forgiveness for our past mistakes and restarting our life with a clean slate.