* O believers, prescribed for you is the Fast, as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may become pious * The Cow: Verse 183

God the Almighty ordained fasting for his servants, as He did for previous nations, because of its great and sublime benefits – the essence and reality of which are unfathomable except by Him. Upon reflection on the obligation of fasting, we find it is a school for self-cultivation and training on moral excellence. The abstention imposed on that which breaks the fast during this month is a clear indication of the aforesaid. Because abstaining from pleasures lead to self-elevation and good character, strong will and purification of the body from health issues resulting from eating and drinking. The rich are reminded of the poor and how all humans are equal in the eyes of Allah. People feel they are as equal-a-individuals as others in society under one creator.

The fasting month is 30 days, recurring every year so that people may benefit. This number of days is sufficient to reap the benefits, whereas two weeks would not be enough. Also, the beginning and end of the month depends totally on the sighting of the new moon crescent so all Muslims feel a sense of togetherness and unity. Fasting is prescribed during the day and not at night so as to allow physiological needs to be attended to at night-time.

The month of Ramadhan was designated for fasting because it is the time when the holy Qur’an was revealed upon the holy prophet (saww). As the Almighty said: *The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)* The Cow:185

What is more worthwhile for everyone than to take this month, in which Allah bestowed upon humanity the best code of conduct and happiness in both worlds, as a month to clean, purify and revitalise our link with Allah Almighty.

Fasting has many aims and principles, too long to delve into here. The main one being piety, as Allah says: *.. so that you may become pious.* Therefore, if a person wishes to know if his fasting was genuine then let him gauge his piety after the month of Ramadhan. If the score is high such that he adheres to his obligations and abstains from Haram acts then his fasting was in order. Otherwise his act of worship confirms the saying of the prophet (saww): How many people whose fast is but hunger and thirst and whose acts are but pain and fatigue. Because during the month of Ramadhan we see some people becoming holy men due to their numerous acts of worship, but as soon as Ramadhan is over they return to perversity and vice. From this we deduce that their piety was only limited to the days of the Holy month. In stark contrast we have the person who, during this bountiful month, examines his/her inner-self with aspiration, training it on noble virtues and conformity beyond this month, and for years to come, to truly be among the pious.

After this brief reflection on fasting and its purpose, what then should be our duty since we are nearing this great month?

Momineen should prepare to welcome this holy month to purify themselves and get rid of selfishness, problems with others, hatred and jealousy and all that which displeases the Almighty so that such matters will not hinder the acceptance of their prayers and supplications [by the Almighty]. The prophet (saww) says: Ask your God with true intentions and cleansed hearts to grant you success to fast [the month] and to recite the Qur’an, for it is the wretched that are deprived from Allah’s forgiveness during this great month.

Emphasis during this bountiful month should be on the following:

1 - Increase contemplative recitation of the Qur’an so as to understand and implement its rulings and follow its path for it is the cure for every malady. In describing Qur’an, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said: It is a light from unfading lanterns and a sea of unfathomable bed. Its approach does not lead [one] astray, a beam of light that never darkens, a criterion with un-diminishing proof, a structure whose pillars cannot be demolished , a cure with no fear of ailments, a glory with undefeatable followers, a truth that does not fail its followers, for it is the source of faith and its treasure, a fountain of knowledge and its oceans, Allah made it [the Qur’an] a stream for thirsty scholars and a spring season for the hearts of jurists, a reasoning for the path of the righteous, a cure with no illness afterwards, a light with which no darkness exists, a rope with a secure grip , an impenetrable fortress, a credit to those who accept it, peace to those who enter it, guidance to whoever follows it ….

Therefore, O Momineen, increase your recitation of the Holy Qur’an for ‘he who recites one verse obtains the reward of completing the whole book during other months [of the year]’.

2- Persevere with reading the allocated Duas for days and nights of the month, especially the Dua of Abi Hamza Al Thamali during Sahar time and Dua Iftitah after Iftar. Reading these Duas will invigorate hearts and pardon sins. The prophet (saww) said: Ask Allah Almighty forgiveness for your sins and raise your hands in Dua during prayer times for it the best time when He will look upon His servants with compassion, answers their payers if they ask and accepts their call once they call [Him].

3- Observe kinship ties (Silatul-Arhaam) , near or far may they be. Be kind to your parents whether living or deceased. The prophet (saww) said: He who observes kinship ties will be tied to Allah’s Mercy on the day he meets Him and whoever abandons kinship ties will not benefit from Allah’s mercy when he meets Him. In another Hadith: Kinship is suspended from the Throne [A’rsh] calling ‘O God sustain he who sustains me and abandon he who abandons me’. In another Hadith: Uphold kinship ties even by a simple Salaam.

4- Give Iftar to those who are fasting – even a bit of food – especially to those in poor and needy places these days like Iraq, India, Afghanistan and other Muslim countries. The prophet (saww) emphasized on this point when he said: O people, He who gives iftar to a fasting Momin during this month will have the same reward [from Allah] as freeing the neck of a slave plus forgiveness for past sins. So they said: O messenger of Allah does this include us all? He (saww) said: Fear hell’s fire even by half a date and fear hell’s fire even by a swig of water.

5- Care for orphans and their welfare by providing them with food, clothes and kindness to compensate for the lack of affection from their own parents. The prophet (saww) said: Be kind to other peoples’ orphans, your orphans will receive kindness; and he who is generous to an orphan shall receive Allah’s generosity on the day he meets Him.

6- Start repenting and ask Allah for forgiveness ‘istighfar’. The prophet (saww) said: O people, your soul is dependent on your actions so set it free by doing ‘istighfar’ and your backs are burdened so lighten the load by extended prostration (Sojood) and be aware that Allah Almighty will not make those who pray and do Sojood suffer not will He terrify them with hell’s fire on the day when everyone stand before Him.

7- Give Sadaqa to the poor and needy. The prophet (saww) said: Give Sadaqa to your poor and needy, respect your elders and be compassionate to your children, guard your tongues and do not look at what is not Halal to see or listen to what is not Halal to hear.

8- Be good natured especially with the family and kids. The prophet (saww) said: O people, whoever is good natured during this month will obtain an easy passage (through Siraat) on the day when legs will tremble and whoever is considerate to those under him, Allah be considerate towards him on judgment day and whoever does not transgress, Allah will spare him His anger on that day.

9- Nights of Power (Layalil Al-Qadr) should be observed; for it is during these nights Allah’s grace and blessings descend, sustenance is apportioned, fate and forgiveness from sins and hell’s fire is decided. The merits of this night surpass a thousand months because the Qur’an was revealed [on this night]. The Almight has said:

* Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'ân) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months* (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Momineen should increase their recitation of the Dua from Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) every night during the month of Ramadhan:

O Allah I beseech Thee to send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, and that which Thou has decided and made ready, through the unchallengeable commands, irrevocably, in the "Night of Qadr", is a decision as well as an execution which, neither can be changed nor kept in abeyance, so write down my name in the list of pilgrims who shall go to Thy "Sacred House" for Hajj, the pilgrims whose performance of Hajj is appreciated, their efforts cut off their link with the sins and atone for their wrongdoings. In this night please decide and make ready for me long life, enough means of livelihood, and it is my wish that I pay back my debts and things deposited with me as a trust. So be it, O Lord of the worlds.

Imam Ali (a.s.) Foundation
25 Sha’ban 1431