Ramazan: Blessings And Obligations

The blessed month of Ramazan has come. Those with meagre or no resources will once again face the daunting task of increased prices and struggle to put food on the table for iftar and sehri.

For those with adequate resources, such problems will not be as acute. Many businesses will once again indulge in profiteering and hoarding. The Almighty has declared Ramazan to be a month of blessing, happiness, obligatory fasting, and sharing with the poor. Unfortunately, many shopkeepers use this month to increase their incomes.

It is a blessing from the Almighty that he created us as Muslims and made Islam our religion. It is rather unfortunate that even though we are the so-called followers of the best religion, we are the worst practitioners of it. We indulge in every form of immoral behaviour imaginable.

We must not forget what the first and foremost divine oath is and what the many instructions that we have received are. “We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrahim, Ismael, Ishaq, Yaqub and the tribes, and in the Books given to Moosa, Isa and other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one and another among them and to Allah do we bow our will in Islam.” (3:84) “Oh you who believe! Observing the fast is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious, clean.” (2:183)

“Observe the fast for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number should be made later from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (eg, sick, old age, etc), they have a choice either to fast or feed a poor, needy person for every day missed. But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you, only if you know it.” (2:184)

“The month of Ramazan in which the Quran [was revealed], a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion, between right and wrong. So whoever of you sights the crescent (new-born moon) on the first night of Ramazan and is present at home, he must observe fast that month and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number of days which he did not observe fast, must be made up from other days. Allah intends for your ease and He does not want to make things difficult for you. He wants that you must complete the same number of days and that you must magnify Allah (saying Allaho Akbar) for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” (2:185)

In 2:187, the Almighty has given instructions regarding sexual relations during Ramazan. Now a few verses about namaz and zakat: “(They are momin) who are steadfast in prayers and spend out of what we have provided for them.” (2:3) “Seek help with patience, perseverance and prayer.” (2:153) “Guard strictly your habit of prayers, especially the middle (Asr) prayer, and stand before Allah in a devout frame of mind.” (2:238)

“Those who believe and do good deeds and establish regular prayers and regular charity (zakat) will have their reward with the Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2:277) “They are momin who establish regular prayers and charity and bow down humbly.” (5:55) “The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by [those who] believe in Allah and the Last Day, and establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity, and fear none but Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance.” (9:18)

“And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day (Fajr and Maghrib) and approaches of the night (Isha).” (11:114) “Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord, establish regular prayers, spend out secretly or openly of the gifts We have bestowed for their sustenance, thus exchanging evil with good. For such there is the final attainment of the eternal home (Jannah).” (13:22) “Speak to my servants who have believed that they establish regular prayers, and spend secretly or openly in charity out of the sustenance we have given them, before [the] coming of a Day (qayamat) in which there will be neither mutual bargaining nor befriending.” (14:31)

These verses clearly illustrate the divine instructions about fasting, zakat and good behaviour. Traders will not get rich quickly if they follow these teachings. But if they do, they will not receive exemplary, severe punishment. Their greed has made it difficult for people to afford food for iftar and sehri.

In Surah Ar-Ra’ad, Ayats 25 and 31, the Almighty warns: “Those who break the covenants of Allah… and cut asunder those things which Allah has commanded to be joined, and create mischief in the land, on them is the curse – for them is Jahannam.” “For the unbelievers, never will disaster cease to seize them for their wrong deeds…verily Allah will not fail in His promise.”

We are all aware of the dismal conditions in providing health facilities to the poor in our country. With this in mind, a few friends and philanthropists – with Shaukat Virk as executive director – decided to set up a welfare hospital on Ahmad Ali Road (opposite Minar-e-Pakistan). Since the construction of the 300-bed facility will take some time, a well-equipped OPD was set up three years ago, which has provided free medical care to more than 300,000 patients. Around six months ago, we set up a dialysis centre with 15 beds and have been providing free treatment since then. All this has only been possible with the wholehearted support of philanthropists and their zakat contributions. We, the management, thank you on behalf of all poor patients who will benefit from these donations.

“(And) We commanded them to guide men and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers and to practice regular charity (zakat) and they constantly served Us and Us only.” (21:73).

“They are those who, if we establish them in the land, (they) establish regular prayers and give regular zakat, enjoy the right and forbid the wrong. And with Allah rests the final decision of all affairs.” (22:41). “So establish regular prayers, give regular zakat, hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector, the best to protect and the best to help.” (22:78).

“The believers must (eventually) win through – those who humble themselves in their prayers, who avoid vain talk (and acts), who are active in deeds of charity, who abstain from sex except with those joined to them in marriage bond or (the captives) whom their right hand possess, for (in their case) they are free from blame – but those whose desires exceed those limits, are transgressors. Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants and who strictly guard their prayers – those will be the heirs who will inherit Paradise; they will dwell therein (for ever).” (23:1-11).

“So establish regular prayers and give regular charity and obey the Apostle of Allah, that you may receive mercy.” (24:56). “Those who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of [the] Hereafter.” (27:3). “Recite what is sent of the book by inspiration to you, establish regular prayers, refrain from shameful and unjust deeds; remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing in life without doubt.” (29:45).

“You turn back in repentance to Allah and fear Him, establish regular prayers, and be not among those who join gods with Allah.” (30:31). “Those who establish regular prayer, and give regular charity (zakat) and have in their hearts the assurance of the Hereafter. Those are on the true guidance from their Lord, and those are the ones who will prosper.” (31:4-5). “O my son! Establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just and forbid what is wrong, and bear with patience, constancy whatever betide you, for this is firmness of purpose in the conduct of life.” (31:17). “And establish regular prayers and give regular charity and obey Allah and His Apostle.” (33:33).

“Those who recite Quran, establish regular prayer and spend in charity out of what we have provided for them, secretly or openly, hope for a reward (trade) that will never fail.” (35:29). “Woe to those who do not practice regular charity and who even deny the Hereafter.” (41:7). “Those who hearken to their Lord and establish regular prayers, who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, who spend out of what We bestow on them for sustenance (they are the true believers).” (42:38). “Believe in Allah and His Apostle, and the sustenance whereof He has made you heirs. For those of you who believe and spend in charity, for them is a great reward.” (57:7).

“And what cause do you have why you should not spend in the cause of Allah? For to Allah belongs the heritage of the Heavens and the Earth.” (57:10) For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan, it shall be increased manifold to their credit, and they shall have, besides, a liberal reward.” (57:18). Then, at least, establish regular prayers, practice regular charity (zakat) and obey Allah. Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.” (53:13).

“And spend something in zakat out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say: ‘O my Lord, why did You not give me respite for a little while? I should have been one of the doers of good deeds.’” (64:10). “If you loan to Allah a beautiful loan (by doing good deeds), He will double it to your credit and He will grant you forgiveness, for Allah is most willing to appreciate good deeds and most forbearing.” (64:17). “And establish regular prayers and give regular zakat and loan to Allah, a beautiful loan.” (73:20). “And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true to faith, to establish regular prayer, and to pay regularly zakat. And that is the religion, right and straight.” (98:5).

Unfortunately, those who have the opportunity, not only indulge in profiteering during Ramazan, but also cheat in whatever way possible – food adulteration, fidgeting with weights and measures, etc. The Almighty has given strict orders in Surahs Al-Anam (6:152), Bani Israel (17:35), Hud (11:85), Ar-Rahman (55:7-9) and Al-Mutaffifin (83:1-3) to not indulge in this practice of cheating, otherwise severe, painful chastisement will follow.

(Published in Monthly Tribute International on 01-06-2018)