LESSON 6: RECOGNIZING THAT ONE CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent.”
[Ibn Maajah]
Allah provides many opportunities; like Ramadan; to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.
LESSON 7: BEING MORE CHARITABLE
Ibn Abaas (R.A. said, “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month.”
[al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward.” [At-Tirmidhee]
LESSON 8: SENSING THE UNITY OF THE MUSLIMS
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Those of you who will live after me will see many differences. Then you must cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khaleefahs. Hold fast to it and stick to it.”
[Abu Dawud]
In this month we sense that there is a possibility for unity, because we all fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray Salaatul-Eid together. Therefore we sense that the unity of possible. It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allah and His Messenger.
LESSON 9: LEARNING DISCIPLINE
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) made us adhere to discipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to fanaticism or going outside the bounds that Allah has laid down. One cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be accepted by Allah. Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mold their lives around.
LESSON 10: TEACHING THE YOUNG TO WORSHIP ALLAH
It was the practice of the people of Madina that during the fast of Aashooraa (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their parents. (as mentioned in al-Bukhari).
So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allah. If one does not encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty.
This is why the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Command your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them at the age of ten (if they do not pray.”
[Haakim]
LESSON 11: CARING FOR ONE’S HEALTH
Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care of their health and too build strong bodies.
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone.”
[Muslim]