In the month of Ramadan, Muslim faithful all over the world are compelled to fast during the day and to abstain from all forms of social and societal vices. This practice is perceived to harness both moral and spiritual benefits. Hauwa Mahmud Kolo, in this report writes on its societal impact.
Generally, Muslims perceive the month of Ramadan as a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity, and sacrifice. This unique month comes in as the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar and in it is believed to be found a night which is better than 1000 months. By implication, this holy month is greater than all other months. Muslims all over the world are called upon to use this holy month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. It is a period to make peace, strengthen ties, do away with bad habits, and essentially clean up ones thoughts and feelings.
During this holy month, the rich dines with the poor, seeking for every avenue to give charity as the reward of every good deed is being doubled. Muslims struggle to attain piety and closeness to Almighty Allah throughout this period.
Amidst the current spate of our economy, the violent killings, injustice, the never ending corruption debacle, and all other vices trailing the Nigerian polity, scholars are of the opinion that this holy period should be used to reflect and effect positive change to these societal issues.
According to the Islamic scholars, there is no better period to ponder and reflect on our societal vices than during this holy period. An Islamic educator and a passionate member of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Mallama Khadija Yusuf, explains that Ramadan is a period to transform all the vices and shortcomings in a society.
“During the holy month of Ramadan, the society is being exonerated of several vices. Even the delinquent seem to become sober and desist from their bad characters because during this period, everybody is spiritually straightened.
“In this month, everyone is close to God Almighty and at peace with one another. Another virtue of Ramadan apart from the religious upliftment is that the wealth of the society is evenly distributed as the rich also carry the poor ones along. The rich feel the hunger the poor man feels while they are fasting and this encourages them to be more charitable and to accommodate the poor fellows,” she explains.
Despite the high poverty level resulting in street begging, it is however evident that during the holy month of Ramadan, beggars are barely found on streets, as they are assured of their meal requirements being catered for by the buoyant class. Miyaki points out, “During Ramadan, the rich or comfortable look out for different outlets where they could give out charity and this results in some form of balance between the two classes.”
Miyaki, also points that the high level of spirituality and preaching (Tafsir of the holy Qur’an) being observed during the holy month, makes people ponder and reflect on Qur’anic teachings. “The religious leaders continue to preach by way of Tafsir during this holy month, and this serves as a reminder to everyone on what Allah has enjoined us to do, and what has been prohibited.
“Every Muslim knows that Ramadan is a holy month where everyone strives to be thorough in the worship of Allah. In fact, as a Muslim, when someone offends you during this holy period, you are meant to forgive as taught by the holy prophet (SAW). The month comes in with much peace and tranquility, as people naturally feel the inclination to forgive easily. The federal government could even seize the opportunity of this golden period of peace and forgiveness to reach out and dialogue with the Boko Haram sect.”
“However, the virtues of Ramadan are meant to be extended throughout the year before the next Ramadan in which one is expected to become even stronger, because religious activities are meant to improve and to develop us. In a nutshell, all the virtues that this holy month holds, could be used to transform the current spate of our country as it teaches us to extend love, sincerity, humility, piety, justice, and peace, not only to our Muslim brothers, but also to our brothers of other faiths,” Miyaki counsels.
A Muslim faithful, Ismail Mohammed, narrates that his total conduct and perception changes during the entire month of Ramadan. “Ramadan makes me absolutely devoted and committed to religious activities. During Ramadan, I guide my conduct, speech, movement, and I make myself a lot closer to Allah. In fact, two weeks before Ramadan, I informed my colleagues that the holy month was approaching and they should desist from extreme or physical play and immoral talks with me.
“When the holy month of Ramadan commenced and they realised a change in my countenance as I no longer engage in silly things that are of little or no benefit, they began asking if something was wrong, but I said no. I no longer indulge in unnecessary or vain talks, shaking or hugging ladies, and I now pre-occupy myself with loads of dhikr (prayer),” he relates.
However, a Niger State-based Islamic preacher, Mallam Kabir Mohammed, establishes that fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is a zakkah (sacrifice) of the body. “Fasting during Ramadan is regarded as Zakkah of the body. Allah permits you to eat and drink throughout the year, and then reserves a month for you to fast as a form of body sacrifice. This period is used to cleanse, strengthen, and to purify the soul. Allah SWT has said in Surah Al-baqarah, “Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you that you may ward off (evil).
“Some of the societal impacts of Ramadan are that it brings about justice, equity, and kindness. By the time a rich man, despite his wealth and endowments, goes on an empty stomach from dawn till sunset, it makes him feel compassion for the poor. Ramadan also promotes peace, fear of God, and sincerity, as it clears the heart of wickedness and devilish practices.
“During this holy month, there is abundance in charity, and there is usually affluence in the society, owing to the kindness that engulfs the heart of a person that is fasting. Ramadan makes people give out freely, as even the miserly is found to be generous during this holy month. Another very grave impact of Ramadan is that it reduces social vices to its barest minimum. Alcoholism, adultery, fornication, and all forms of immoral acts are abandoned during this holy month as the devils are being chained.
“Beyond everything, Muslims are supposed to maintain the good practice even after the holy month of Ramadan, as it is expected that we always act as good ambassadors of the Islamic faith any time, any place. If the virtues of this holy month could be continued, you can be rest assured that issues like street begging, violence, and most of the problems trailing the polity would be eradicated,” Mohammed explains.?