In the month of Ramadan the Quran should be read and understood. The Quran is specially recited in this month. This reading is not only meant as recitation of the words of the Quran but is aimed at delving into the deeper meaning of the Quran and understanding its message. During this time, one finds time to reflect on one’s life, one’s past and present, and what course to follow in the future.
In the night the Quran is also recited during tarawih. This means he must undertake introspection and read the Quran more deeply. In this way the Quran becomes a guiding force in man’s life. He earns his livelihood according to its dictates. He bathes in the ocean of its life to cleanse his soul.
Surah al-Baqarah of the Quran gives detailed information about fasting in Ramadan.
It speaks about the basic aspects of fasting. A verse says:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ (2:185)
The special signficance of fasting is that the Quran was first revealed during this month. We have to observe fasting in the month in which the Quran began to be revealed. There is a special relationship between fasting and the Quran. What is that relationship?
What we have to do most during Ramadan is study the Quran. We must not only recite, but study the Quran. This is the most important task during Ramadan. The commandment to leave eating and drinking during the day is also significant. The Arabic word for fasting is sawm.
The English equivalent of sawm is abstinence. What do we have to abstain from? Abstaning from food and drink is only symbolic. This is symbolic abstinence. In reality, we have to stop from every such thing which distracts us. We must abstain from all forms of distraction, even from eating and drinking for a temporary period.
Why this abstinence?
This abstinence is so that you have time and opportunity to understand the Quran properly. The month of Ramadan is so that you save yourself from distraction, empty your mind and focus yourself on reading the Quran as much as you can. We must not only recite, but study the Quran with contemplation and discover its deeper meaning.
