اَللّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان
Allahumma Ballighna Ramadan
Oh Allah, let us reach the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Kareem
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) self-restraint...” (Al Qur’an 2:183)
The Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) wishes you all a safe and peaceful Ramadan. May Allah's mercy and blessings be with you all throughout this blessed month and throughout the year and may He accept your fast and your good deeds.
To support you in your fast during the best of the months, we are delighted to share with you our specially designed Ramadan Timetable, while a printed copy is available from our office.
Significance of Ramadan
The benefits of Ramadan are not limited purely to either “spiritual” or “temporal” elements of life. In Islam, the spiritual, social, economic, political and psychological all intermingle in a consistent and cohesive whole.
Spiritual and moral elements of Ramadan:
- Fasting above all, is an act of obedience and submission to Allah. This submission and commitment are based upon the love of Allah and the earnest effort to gain His pleasure and to avoid His displeasure. If this is the only reason for fasting, it surely suffices.
- Fasting is an act of acknowledgement of Allah (S.W.T) as the Only Master and Sustainer of the Universe. It is only through His bounties that we derive our existence and our sustenance.
- Fasting is an act of atonement for our errors and mistakes. As the Prophet (pbuh) says: “Whoever fasts (the month of) Ramadhan on the basis of Iman and seeking the Pleasure of Allah), his past errors are forgiven.” (Ahmad).
- Fasting trains the believer in Taqwa (God-consciousness). If one volunteers to refrain from lawful food and the intimate marital relationship he/she will be in a better position to avoid unlawful things and acts.
- Fasting trains the believer in sincerity. Unlike other acts of “worship”, it is entirely based on self-restraint. Others can never know for sure if the person is fasting or if he/she broke the fast in secret. It is this self-restraint that requires a high degree of sincerity and faithfulness.
- Fasting teaches other virtues. Fasting does not exclusively mean refraining from food and drink. Essentially, it means refraining from all vice and evils. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for the abandoning of his food and drink.” (al Bukhari)
- The spirit of Ramadan with its nightly voluntary prayer (called Salat ul Qiyam or Salat ut Taraweeh) and frequent recitation and study of the Qur’an provides a chance for spiritual revival (a kind of annual spiritual overhaul).
The above selection has been taken from the "Answers to common questions on Islam: Siyam (Fasting)".
Find out more about fasting and the month of Ramadan as well as other topics in Islam.
