Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Pillars of Islam
According to a tradition, Prophet Muhammad observed: “The month of fasting is the month of compassion.” (Mishkat al-Masabih, 1/613). That is, it is a month in which people are helped and shown compassion. This is the human aspect of fasting.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Pillars of Islam | Spirit of Ramadan
Fasting means withdrawing from worldly attachments. This process reaches a climax during i'tikaf, an exceptional practice, marking the closure of the blessed month of Ramadan. Observers of this practice must stay in a mosque for ten days or less during the last ten days of Ramadan.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Pillars of Islam | Spirit of Ramadan
Ramadan is a month of contemplation, restraint, and worship, of caring and thanksgiving, repentance, and piety. The multitude of benefits of Ramadan inspired the Prophet of Islam to exclaim: “Welcome to the one who purifies!” (Kanzul Ummal, Hadith No. 23692)
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Pillars of Islam | Spirit of Ramadan
Fasting, in some form or the other, is part of every religion as given in the following verse of the Quran, “Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil.” (The Quran, 2:183)
