By Haroon-Ishola Balogun

Before you start to wonder how themonth which we welcomed only a few days ago, wraps up and leaves the stage for the year, you have to re-examine yourself to be sure your devotional life as well as your contact with the Quran have increased tremendously.

The success of all what we do is measured by the effectit leaves upon us. Ramadan cannot just come and go without having an impact on you. The Prophet corroborated the prayer of Angel Jubril onthis by saying Amin when the latter visited him while ascending theminbar for salat.

In the morning and evening, and atevery point of our daily activities in Ramadan, we must be fully aware that in such mundane activities, we must as a matter of obligation remain under the divine injunctions of Allah. Ramadan renews ourenthusiasm to worship and be devoted to Allah.

Since we are doingaway with some old ideas and inculcating new ones, we need to becareful and mindful of our actions. Old habits do not die easilyexcept with commitment, sacrifice and determination. Watch what youdo, and what you say, control your anger, be disciplined and filledwith the presence of Allah in your life. We must also renew our contacts withthe Qur’an. Ramadan and the Qur’an are linked together.

One of thethings that made the month special is that it hosts the entire Quran. All the divine messages were revealed to the Prophet (s.a.w) in thisblessed month. Again, fasting prepares the believers’ hearts to learnthe words of Allah. It is the most suitable condition for ourspiritual and mental communication with the Qur’an.

All over the world, the focus and attention is on the Quran. There are recitations in several places, there are tafsir/explanations of the Qur’an in everycorner of the globe. So, we must not be left out of this importantdevotion. This point makes the Muslim Ummahunique. We do the same thing, at the same time all over the worldirrespective of social standing, colour or race. The Ummah thereforemust be protected.

Identification with the Ummah in this month isalso part of our important activities. The month offers a sense ofcare and love for others helps us to feel the pains of others and actto give them reliefs. Giving charity to the less privileged,providing iftar and sahoor for people who cannot afford it is also ameritorious act.

Better still, inviting people to break fast with youon your bill is an act we should do often no matter how small. Ramadan is not only an individual experience, but a communityexperience as well. This blessed month gives the Ummah a sense ofunity and association. The Prophet taught us as Muslims to derivestrength from another Muslim.

But note that the strength of theMuslim community lies in its commitment to the values of goodness, morality and piety. If we all develop this act and gain more strengththough piety, love and morality, we will remain the conquerors. This is what Ramadan is also meant to achieve. Fasting is about sacrifice, andsacrifice is Jihad. Both Ramadan and Jihad go together. Do not get mewrong, jihad is not about fighting and killing people as misconstruedby non-Muslims.

Fasting and Jihad were prescribed in the same year,the second year of Hijrah in Madinah. Fasting prepares one forhardships and sacrifice. These are two important points without which Jihad is not possible. So, the point being emphasised here is that Ramadan will prepare you for the struggle to better living, freedom from all evilforces at personal level, community level and the world at large. Ramadan is indeed a huge blessing from Allah.