Ramadan Karim [Archives:2007/1088/Opinion]
Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Maqaleh
The other months of the calendar year have no prestigious status like that of Ramadan. Such a holy month adds something new to the spirits and feelings of Muslims. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar is its most sacred month. Though all creation belongs to Allah, this month has the distinction of being called the month of Allah, hence its title 'Shehrullah'.
Allah chose to reveal His final Message to mankind in this month, for in the night of Qadr, its 23rd the Qur'an descended upon the heart of His Messenger and Prophet, Muhammad Al-Mustafa (SAW). It is said that the Prophets Ibrahim (SA), Musa (SA), Dawood (SA) and Isa (SA) also received their first revelations in this month.
Muslims all over the world welcome this month as one that is a time of increased piety. The lapses of previous months are corrected and even the most negligent of adherents makes a special effort in this month to focus on those deeds and acts of worship that fulfill the higher purpose for which he was created. It is a time of reflection and renewal, a time for overcoming the desires of the flesh by denying the body nourishment and pleasure, and enhancing the status of the soul by engaging the spirit in prayer and meditation.
This month has it own image of the world and is an annual spiritual station for Muslims to rejuvenate their inner feelings. This month's image requires man to contemplate on what he has achieved throughout the past year. This image is accompanied by a strong feeling of the significance of preparing the new year's strategy and testing it prior to applying it in real-life situation. The ambitions and imaginations of man mustn't have influence on this strategy.
At this point, the most important question is that 'Does time have value in the eyes of Muslims, or has time become merely composed of similar days that pass one after another without being perceived by Muslims?' There are numerous answers to these questions such as the fact that Muslims give no value to time. They don't perceive the passage of time, however, there are a few exceptions that hardly make change to what happens in the real-life situation due to several factors, the most prominent of which is that Muslims are being unable to understand the value of time.
Had time had a value in the eyes of contemporary Muslims, they would have avoided the gloomy situation they are suffering now. If Muslims pay closer attention to time, they would realize that their conditions are going from bad to worse and then correct their perception of time.
A quick glance at the situation of Muslims before Ramadan of last year, compared to their situation as they were awaiting Ramadan of this year, raise many questions such as: “What change was made to the Palestinian Cause
