Islam is a very popular religion, known to some extent or another in all parts of the world. One aspect of the religion that many people are familiar with is the month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast from before sunrise until sunset. They have been commanded by Allah in the Qur’an to refrain from food, drink and intimate relations with their spouses during this time. Allah has said “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, guidance for mankind and clear proofs for guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever witnesses the month must fast the month. (Qur’an 2-185.) What we see from this verse is that the Qur’an was revealed during this month and why.

However, it is not well known that other religious books were also revealed during the month of Ramadan. It has been reported by Imam Ahmad that a Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon Him once said “The suhuf (pages) of Ibrahim (Abraham) were revealed during the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed (to Musa-Moses) during the sixth night of Ramadan. The Injeel (Gospels) was revealed (to Isa-Jesus) during the thirteenth night of Ramadan. Allah revealed the Qur’an on the twenty-forth night of Ramadan.”

I’m sure many people will be surprised that these major Prophets and Messengers received their revelations in this same month of Ramadan. However when we keep in mind that it was the same God (Allah) who had the revelations sent down we should not be surprised. He created mankind to worship Him and true revelation has been the means throughout time for mankind to learn how to worship Allah correctly and how to live honest upright lives.

Allah has also revealed in the Qur’an related to fasting that “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may have Taqwa (righteous behavior).” (Qur’an 2-183.) From this we see that fasting in Ramadan is prescribed for the Muslims as it was prescribed to the followers of previous prophets and messengers who received revelation from Allah. There has been one true religious purpose for mankind since the time of the first prophet who was Adam, the father of mankind. When we carry out the fast today we are keeping alive a very ancient and important religious tradition.

When we fast by giving up any food, drink and intimate relations during the daylight hours, we develop the spiritual strength and fortitude to gain almost total mastery of ourselves in terms of self control. Our wisest of wise men the Prophet Muhammad once said “Whoever does not give up bad speech and bad actions, Allah is not in need of him giving up his food and drink!” Fasting is a means of getting closer to Allah. If we can give up food, drink, as well as bad speech and bad actions for an entire month, then we can become deliberate enough in our lives to achieve great things, the greatest of which is the correct worship of our Lord, Allah!

Sabur Abdul-Basit is a freelance author from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States of America.

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