The Ulema have written extensively on the purpose of the month of Ramdaan but the Quraan Sharif has defined the object and purpose of the month of Ramdaan. In the Quraan Sharif Allah c states that fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those prior to you so that you may acquire Taqwa. This is the main object of the month of Ramdaan for one and all whether we are in the Khanqah, out in the path of Allah (i.e. in Jamaat), gone for Umrah or even we are spending the month at home.

What is Taqwa? It is that strength that enables a person to abstain from sin. From this we also understand that the desire of sin within a human being is natural. Allah Ta'ala says in the Quraan Sharif,

فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا

(He) then inspired it (the soul all that entails) evil and (all that entails) piety.

Every car has an accelerator and a brake. One should accelerate when it is safe to do but he must be able to apply brake when the need be. Similarly, we should be able to control our eyes, anger, etc. when required to do so. If our breaks are failing, or we do not use them when required, then we could face great danger, and get involved in a terrible accident. The harms caused by spiritual accidents are worse than the harms caused by worldly accidents. This is what we are required to acquire in the month of Ramdaan, and Insha’Allah it will be acquired if we spend the month of Ramdaan correctly and fast fulfilling all the necessary requirements.

For the validity of one’s fast, one is required to abstain from eating, drinking and fulfilling one’s lust and desires. This is regarded as the basic structure of fasting. However, in order to acquire Taqwa, together with the basic fast one has to keep Roza of the following,

1. Roza of the eyes (i.e. a person abstains from looking at all forms of Haraam)

2. Roza of the tongue (i.e. one does not speak any Haraam such as lying, swearing, backbiting using vulgar language, etc.)

3. Roza of the ears (it is Haraam to listen to those things that are Haraam to speak).For example, Just as it is Haraam to backbite, it is Haraam to listen to Ghibat as well.

4. Roza of our thoughts (i.e. we should abstain from Haraam thoughts of the heart and mind whether it pertains to fantasising about women or entertaining evil thoughts of other people by looking down upon them, or entertaining jealousy on the things which Allah Ta'ala has bestowed others with).

5. Roza of the hands and legs (i.e. we should not use them in Haraam or even in doubtful things, by going or even driving to Haraam places).

6. Roza of one’s food (i.e. ensure that our food is Halaal, healthy and wholesome). The food should not be doubtful (i.e. is it Halaal or not?).

7. Finally, after the month of Ramdaan one should not have a “holier than thou attitude” (i.e. we think to ourselves that we have spent our Ramdaan correctly and look down upon others). A person that has a holier than thou attitude or is boastful over his achievements in Ramdaan washes away all his Ibaadat.       

After keeping a perfect Roza (fast), spending our time correctly in recitation of Quraan, Zikrullah, Dua, performing Taraweeh, giving charity, etc. we should check at the end of Ramdaan whether we have acquired Taqwa or not? Has the level of Taqwa improved after the month of Ramdaan or not? May Allah Ta'ala grant us the Taufeeq of spending our Ramdaan correctly and acquiring such Taqwa that will keep us away from the disobedience of Allah at all stages in our life. Ameen!