A Period of Spiritual Reflection and Development
- The goal of fasting throughout Ramadan is to achieve Taqwa, or God-consciousness, rather than only refraining from food and liquids.
- Taqwa is used to symbolize the balanced approach to spirituality that Ramadan promotes. It is compared to a bird, where knowledge is the body, love is the head, and hope and fear are the wings.
ref: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1141451468042596604/
The Role of Taqwa in Achieving a Righteous Life
- The Importance of Taqwa in Living a Righteous Life Examine Quran 2:183, which instructs believers to fast to develop Taqwa, which is righteousness or an increased sense of Allah’s presence.
- Living a life of mindful obedience to Allah is referred to as Taqwa, and it is likened to treading cautiously on a path paved with thorns to achieve Spiritual Reflection.
The Qualities of Those Who Embrace Taqwa
- The early verses of Surah Al-Baqarah highlight three traits of those who possess Taqwa: belief in the unseen, constant prayer, and giving through Zakat.
- In order to determine whether fasting has gotten us any closer to these goals, we should examine our own lives.
The Blessings and Rewards of Taqwa
- The many blessings—forgiveness of sins, ease in our affairs, and the ultimate recompense of Paradise—bestowed upon those who fear Allah and live obedient to Him.
- These blessings are promised in the Quran, encouraging us to work toward Taqwa in our daily lives.
The Unchanging Core of Ramadan Amidst Change
- The fundamental goal of Ramadan is still the same: using Taqwa to draw us nearer to Allah.
- This Ramadan can be a time to refuel spiritually, looking to Allah for guidance and success via a closer relationship.
Conclusion: A Prayer for Taqwa and Unity
- May Allah, who is the source of all guidance and unity, provide us and our families the light of comfort via Taqwa and establish us as leaders among the righteous.
- During the month of Ramadan, each of us should spend some time contemplating the verses in the Quran that discuss Taqwa and resolving to live more obediently by the teachings of Islam.
