It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance to man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern truth from falsehood. Hence, those of you who are alive during this month shall spend it in fasting; but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days, after. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you extol God for His having guided you aright, and that you render your thanks to Him.
Above is quoted the most powerful verse that will ever be read my mankind and within it are the most powerful group of words: فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ "those of you who are alive during this month shouldl spend it in fasting"
Why is this so?
This short verse and those few words, mentioned but once, in The Holy Quran, mobilizes over one billion people, every year for an entire month. الْحَمْدُ للّهِ.
People of every race, ethnicity and country, throughout the entire world, change their entire life during that Blessed month, mentioned only once, Ramadan.
One fifth of the world's population suddenly changes mode, lifestyles, habits, routines, behavior, outlook, personalities, all change as if a big "Mode Switch" was enabled. In fact, Allah SWT have enabled the switch, thus demonstrating His Power and Greatness. With just a combination of twelve Arabic letters Allah SWT has caused a change in the course of over a billion lives for an entire month or more. We are are too familiar with the changes that come about in individual lives. Changes that are a lot of us find difficult or impossible to make, suddenly become easy an possible.
What is even more astonishing and miraculous is that Allah SWT did not use the command tone but used the recommendation tone.
Allah did not ask you to abstain from the wrong and prohibited things, He ask you to refrain from essential, good and permissible things.
As a result of this Blessed month, millions of lives are changed for the better, thus serving as a cleansing, rededicating and powerful and effective life changing event.
May we reap the maximum benefit from this Holy and Blessed month, and just let it be a period of abstention food, drink, marital relationships and visiting the masjids. May we learn self restraint and extol God for His having guided us aright, to always give thanks.
