Fethullah Gulen Tolerance, Dialogue and Peace
The blessed month of Ramadan, which is the 9th month according to the Islamic lunar calendar, stands out from other months for many reasons. First of all, it is the month during which the Holy Qur’an was revealed. Another paramount distinctive feature of the sacred Ramadan is fasting throughout the entire month. Fasting during Ramadan, being one of the inalienable five pillars of Islam, is not only abstaining from eating, drinking and carnal desires, but also growing spiritually, acting with greater piety and compassion, trying an additional effort to discover the God Almighty and finding peace and tranquility in our minds and souls. Ramadan is a bountiful month when Allah bestows more rewards for deeds and action of believers. The peak of divine generosity happens during the Laylat al-Qadr (in fact this is another unique feature of the Ramadan), the Night of Power (the Night of Destiny) that is worth and even better that a thousand months. In the Holy Qur’an in Sura 95, Al-Qadr Allah says:
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!…This until the rise of dawn!”
Although that many religious scholars indicate that the Night of Power could be on the 27th night of the Ramadan, it is not an absolute certainty; believers should rather search the opportunity to experience the Night of Power seeking it in every night of blessed month of Ramadan.
Furthermore, Ramadan is the month of compassion and mutual understanding. An average person in a developed country is fortunate enough to have a convenient access and opportunity to afford obtaining food and drink at any time of the day. Speaking frankly, when was the last time you spent an entire day without eating or having a glass of water? For a hungry person perception and understanding of many things happens to be different; there is a saying, “Only a hungry man can understand the pain of hunger”. For example, a fasting person, who voluntarily decided to abstain from food – therefore not feeling angry and despair, is capable to have a much deeper understanding and compassion for those in need. It may be so influential that even seeing a bird on a tree instinctively would bring a question, “May be it is hungry too? What does it eat? How can I help?”
Moreover, Ramadan promotes social interaction and friendship. During Ramadan Muslims try to invite people over for a family Iftar dinner giving priorities to those who have greater needs. There is also a popular practice of organizing Iftar Dinners by preparing huge tables in public places or in streets where anybody could join to the fast-breaking feast. Just imagine, after being abstained from food and experiencing hunger and thirst throughout a day Muslims traditionally come together and break their fasts sharing the same excitement and praising the Almighty for countless bounties.
One of the most prominent religious scholars, Fethullah Gulen, describes Ramadan as a Radiant Month in a Darkening World.Here is a quote from Gulen’s article published on his official website:
“As a matter of fact when Ramadan comes, it plays through months and days, jumps through the seasons, and always arrives in a different manner; it embraces our hearts with the weather, the hue, and the patterns of the seasons: sometimes Ramadan pours its heavenly warmth into the bosom of the cold winter; sometimes it unites with the heat of summer and reminds us to use our will, playing on our determination, and directing our insights toward the horizon of spiritual life.”[1]
The month of Ramadan is also a time of kindness and generosity. Allah the Greatest promises to reward all deeds much more abundantly if they executed during the Blessed month. Devoted believers are passionately competing with each other in generosity and benevolence. At the end of Ramadan all wealthy Muslims are obliged to give charity, which is called Zakat al-fitr, to poor so they can celebrate the Eid al-Fitr, Feast or Festival of Breaking the Fast.
In conclusion, during Ramadan every day believers experience the joy of being close to divine blessing, being aware of its tenderness and bounty at office, at home with family , and during prayers at mosque. Ramadan is a unique opportunity to cure our souls and soften our hearts that are becoming stiffened during our daily life when we are busy with earning money to make a living and other down-do-earth activities.
