With the start of Ramadan, it is a good time to reflect on our behaviour and values that we hold dear, making sure that they are in line with the standards that Allah the Almighty has set for us all.
Ramzan brings us the message of steadfastness. People spend their daylight hours abstaining from food and drinks, to turn our thoughts to those less fortunate in life, who feel hunger and thirst throughout the entire year. The basic purpose of this is to create the sense of sympathy for the socially challenged people who don’t have enough to satisfy their hunger and fulfil their basic requirements. This makes the true believer to give alms and charity to the poor, with the intent to please Allah Almighty.
However, contemporary changes to Ramzan culture means that the spiritual significance of Ramzan is slowly being lost. Most of us celebrate the holy month with endless buffet of food, lavish Iftar parties, social gathering and shopping overnight. It has been encouraged by Islam to invite one another to Iftar, but in the name of modernism some have taken this too far which leads to those acts that are strictly forbidden in Islam. Ramzan should be a time to avoid being wasteful, and learning to be prepared in facing harder times by distinguishing the needs from the luxuries. Unfortunately, many people go beyond their limits to spend during Ramzan.
Islam being the religion of modesty urges its believers to be humble in every walk of life. Muslim should refrain from such extravagant and wasteful activities and instead should spend most of their time in gathering the endless bounties of Allah, bestowed upon us during this holy month.
DR HASSAN ANJUM SHAHID
Lahore
