Ramadan as a gift of remembrance, tracing how God uses food, water, and fasting to test people and draw them toward constant awareness of Him, with the Quranic conditions of the fast. Also covers a Singapore charity luncheon for over 200 children, the Night of Destiny when the Quran was placed into Muhammad's soul, and its date this Ramadan.
They remember God while standing, sitting, and on their
sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth:
“Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified.
Save us from the retribution of Hell.” (3:191)
Ramadan is the month during
which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear
teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall
fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number
of other days. God wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you
may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify God for guiding you, and
to express your appreciation. (2:185)
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God created us and knows our every wish, desire, and
need. Our most basic needs are food and water. In addition to the physical
benefits of fueling our bodies, we derive a great deal of satisfaction
from a full stomach and a well-quenched thirst, no matter what the climate.
And food and drink are at the center of the human being’s celebrations.
It is not new for God to use food or water to get our attention. “Eat
from the good things we provided for you” (2:57). At the birth
of Jesus, Mary was
told, “Eat and drink and be
happy....” (19:26) All provisions are signs from God of
His absolute authority, and His unending mercy towards human beings. Celebrate
the wonder of God.
God knows how to get our attention. He knows that the distractions of
our daily lives frequently keep us from remembering Him “while standing,
sitting, or lying on our sides.” We strive to do our best as we
go through our days with the realization that all provisions are given
by God alone, and that all creatures are provided for. What peace to know
this, without doubt. And how easily we take it for granted!
God has tested the human being with food and drink frequently, and He
relates these tests that we might learn to be more appreciative, more
aware of the true nature of our temporary world. For example, the majority
of Saul’s troops failed to pass the test at the stream, but for
those that were steadfast, patient, and obedient, the reward was victory
(2:249).
We will surely test you through
some fear, hunger, and loss of money, lives, and crops. Give good news
to the steadfast. When an affliction befalls them, they say, “We
belong to God, and to Him we are returning.” (2:155-156)
Recall that you said, “O Moses, we can no longer
tolerate one kind of food. Call upon your Lord to produce for us such
earthly crops as beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions.”
He said, “Do you wish to substitute that which is inferior for that
which is good?... (2:61)
Remind them of the community by the sea, who desecrated
the Sabbath. When they observed the Sabbath, the fish came to them abundantly.
And when they violated the Sabbath, the fish did not come. We thus afflicted
them, as a consequence of their transgression. (7:163)
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Ramadan
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And of Adam and Eve, we read:
As for you, Adam, dwell with your wife in Paradise,
and eat therefrom as you please, but do not approach this one tree,
lest you fall in sin. The devil whispered to them, in order to reveal
their bodies, which were invisible to them. He said, “Your
Lord did not forbid you from this tree, except to prevent you from
becoming angels, and from attaining eternal existence.” (7:19-20)
Of all God’s food provision, only four are prohibited and
if forced to eat these, we will not bear the consequences (2:173;
6:145; 16:115). God is so merciful as to provide for every possible
circumstance of the human being’s life. All things are lawful
to eat.
And He speaks frequently of water. He uses “pure drink”
and “flowing streams” to describe the heaven we all
strive for. He knows us and knows water is a source of life and
internal peace for us. We are carried in water through nine months
of pregnancy. It provides great comfort to us, psychologically,
emotionally, and spiritually. God describes water and its source
in many ways.
Recall that Moses sought water for his people. We
said, “Strike the rock with your staff.” Whereupon,
twelve springs gushed out therefrom. The members of each tribe knew
their own water. Eat and drink from God’s provisions, and
do not roam the earth corruptingly. (2:60)
Despite this, your hearts hardened like rocks, or
even harder. For there are rocks from which rivers gush out. Others
crack and release gentle streams, and other rocks cringe out of
reverence for God. God is never unaware of anything you do. (2:74)
In the creation of the heavens and the earth, the
alternation of night and day, the ships that roam the ocean for
the benefit of the people, the water
that God sends down from
the sky to revive dead land and to spread in it all kinds of creatures,
the manipulation of the winds, and the clouds that are placed between
the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who
understand. (2:164)
And when implored by Job, God said, “Strike
the ground with your foot. A spring will give you healing and drink”
(38:42).
Such a precious commodity and so freely given by God in His infinite
mercy.
What are the conditions of fasting? These are explained in the
following verses:
O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as
it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.
Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one
is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted.
Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding
one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers
(more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for
you, if you only knew.
Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was
revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and
the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast
therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same
number of other days. God wishes for you convenience, not hardship,
that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify God for guiding
you, and to express your appreciation.... You may eat and drink
until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the
dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset.... (2:183-187)
God decrees fasting at other times as well. As atonement for violating
our oaths (5:89), for killing game during Hajj (5:95), and for estranging
our spouse (58:4). God knows that fasting can be very difficult,
but God also knows how
quickly He can get our attention by
decreeing it for us. These very basic needs are constant reminders
of God’s absolute mercy.
Preparation for the month of Ramadan extends beyond the 30 days
of fasting. We are aware of the calendar, the months passing. As
the days approach, we begin to plan for them and pray that we will
have a better Ramadan this year, and thus, commemorate God more
frequently. We are grateful for shorter days and we pay more attention
to weather forecasts, hoping for cooler days. During the days of
fasting, we look forward to a “family celebration” with
our brothers and sisters each Friday evening. We spend time planning
for that meal with joy. Some may experience headaches, lightheadedness,
stomach rumbling, etc. We count minutes and hours more closely.
Our attention is more focused on our bodily needs. Or is it?
The effects of fasting are many. What is perceived as a loss by
some, is a real gain for our soul and its growth. We have the chance
to focus on our “real self,” our soul and its nourishment.
Our body’s needs turn into reminders of God and the growth
of our soul. We grow more alert to our provisions and their source.
And through God’s mercy, He weaves reminders of Zakat for
the poor. And we know hunger and thirst as the poor often do, to
better understand why Zakat is so important. And each Salat prayer
brings us closer to the day’s end and provisions. More reminders.
We come to understand the words “steadfast” and “patience”
more specifically, as the days of fasting proceed and we refrain
from suspicion, anger and bad thoughts. Verse 33:35 takes on new
meaning, “for the fasting men and women, for the commemorating
men and the commemorating women... forgiveness and a great recompense.”
All of these activities and thoughts are opportunities to remember
God alone, from whom all things come. As we reflect on God’s
creation, we might notice that even the animals, plants, and mountains,
who did not accept the responsibility of “freedom of choice,”
are not exempt
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Ramadan
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from fasting. There is no place on earth that does not experience
drought at one time or another. The consequences of a severe lack
of water include a reduction in all other provisions as well. And
since these other creatures endure much longer that the human lifetime,
they endure periodic fasting much longer than we. Yet, heaven is
assured for each of these creatures. And by God’s design,
where life seems to disappear with the lack of water and the sustenance
which come from it, life springs back repeatedly once water is received.
Our lifetime is so brief compared to eternity. We are deprived
of nothing during this brief period, including repeated, individualized
messages of God alone. Twenty-four hour God-consciousness is our
goal. It is that which we strive toward, with steadfastness and
patience. We know that “God never burdens any soul beyond
its means....” (2:286) and that fasting is not an ordeal but
rather a great opportunity to run, not walk, along God’s path.
How awesome is God. He takes His creation with all its limits and
uses it to remind individually and constantly that He alone is our
Lord and Master. Given our previous behavior, God is merciful beyond
our wildest dreams, and provides us with a gift of remembrance that
can only lead us closer to Him for all eternity.
ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD.
Kathryn Kolton
News
From Singapore
A Charity Luncheon
Those who give to charity night
and day, secretly and publicly, receive their recompense from
their Lord; they will have nothing to fear, nor will they
grieve.
United Submitters International of Singapore [U.S.I.S] organized
a charity luncheon, by God’s blessing and grace, on
the Sunday of 7th December 1997 for a very special group of
people. All praise be to God for the amount S$850 gathered
from our cheerful family of submitters [And we also received
a special donation of 5 pounds worth from England too. Thank
God]. This God-given provisions was spend earnestly and evenly
distributed by our community members to over 200 children
in two different “Children’s Homes” on the
same day. May God be pleased with all of our tireless efforts
and the careful planning, which turn out to be very fulfilling
and successful indeed. Thank God! (and well done guys! Let’s
keep this up!).
For as they give their charities, their hearts
are fully reverent. For they recognize that they will be summoned
before their Lord, and they are eager to do righteous works;
they compete in doing them (23: 60-61).
MaashaAllah, upon our arrival, these special children, ages
between 2-16 years old, sincerely opened up their very own
“joyful world” to welcome us submitters in. Indeed,
a beautiful “innocent world.” Being appreciative
of God’s provisions for that day, everyone feasted on
it delightfully! We were assured that, “NO FOOD WAS
EVER LEFT OVER HERE!” Imagine that. The pictures of
everyone’s faces clearly showed that all was very much
contented, and while we were happily-busy. God be glorified!
Everyone of us was eager to work righteousness to please
our Lord God! While our sisters were serving and getting to
know these special children,
others were with the brothers
excitedly designing and constructing on their first ever “Mini-Zoo”
which will be occupied by 3 hamsters and 4 rabbits! So excited
they were, that even the rain did not dampen their spirit
but instead uplifted them!! (Recall: 8 v 10-11). Only what
God wills takes place. For no one possesses power except God.
Thank God.
By the end of ‘Asr time (afternoon), this blissful
event had motivated every submitters to reflect further for
future striving in God’s cause. Praise God. All of us
have gained many interesting personal and group experiences
from this striving and also learnt about an outstanding insight
of other people’s world, here especially from these
special children; their clear cut “unheard voices”
has been heard by us all! Everyone was joyfully happy.
Indeed, we all learnt that, “And being one of those
who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and
exhorting one another to be kind. For these have deserved
happiness.” says the Glorious Quran (See 90 v 17-18).
How true. And MaashaAllah, surely God has spoken the truth.
We thank God for making it a success. So let’s all strive
on in the cause of God and have a joyous fulfilling Ramadan!
May God Bless us All!
Mohd. Rafil Bin Azmi
December 17, 1997
You cannot attain righteousness until you give
to charity from the possessions you love. Whatever you give
to charity, God is fully aware thereof. (3:92)
The Night of Destiny
The Night the Quran was Revealed
Page 4
There are some reading material available for our Young
Enlightened Submitters on the internet. If you have access to internet,
you can get to this material at
submission.org/yes
Your comments, suggestions, and contributions for Y.E.S.
are always welcome.
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A Word of Appreciation
We thank God, the Almighty, for allowing us to continue this newsletter
for another year. We also thank our readers for their continuous support,
comments, and contributions. May God bless you all, and grant you the
best in the coming year of 1998.
Happy Ramadan & A Happy New Year
The Night of Destiny or the Night of Power
corresponds to the 27th night of Ramadan (97:1, 44:3). On this special
night of Ramadan 13 B.H. (Before Hijrah), the Quran was placed into Muhammad’s
soul when Muhammad the soul, the real person (not the body), was summoned
to the highest universe (2:97, 17:1, 53:1-18). Subsequently, the angel
Gabriel helped Muhammad release a few verses of the Quran at a time, from
the soul to Muhammad’s memory. The Prophet wrote down and memorized
the verses just released into his mind.
When the prophet Muhammad died, he left the complete Quran written down
with his own hand in the chronological order of revelation, along with
specific instructions as to where to place every verse. The divine instructions
recorded by Muhammad were designed to put the Quran together into the
final format intended for God’s Final Testament to the world (75:17).
The greatness of the Quran, and awesomeness of the night in which it
was revealed have been pointed out to us in the following verses of the
Quran:
If we revealed this Quran to a mountain, you
would see it trembling, crumbling, out of reverence for God. We cite these
examples for the people, that they may reflect. (59:21)
We revealed it in the Night of Destiny.
How awesome is the Night of Destiny!
The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months.
The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord’s
leave, to carry out every command.
Peaceful it is until the advent of the dawn. (97:1-5)
Think about the credit one can earn by commemorating God all night long
on the Night of Destiny. We can all use this night to get extra credit
into our individual PRA (Post Retirement Account) for the Hereafter.
This Ramadan, the Night of Destiny (or the Night of Power) will be on
the 24th of January (after sunset) until dawn on January 25th. May God
make it a very special night for all Submitters around the world.
About this work
Kind
Document
Author
International Community of Submitters
Publisher
International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson