Ramadan - The fast till Eid

HE MONTH OF RAMADAN is for many Muslims the highlight of the Islamic calendar. For newcomers to the faith, or to outsiders, the month-long fast may seem like an epic uphill battle between spirit and flesh. However, fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of Islam.  With this unique institution, Islam planted an ever-growing tree of infinite virtue and useful values. Some of the spiritual dimensions of fasting in Islam include:  It teaches the principle of sincere love - because when a person observes fasting, it is done out of deep love for the Almighty Allah.  It imbues in one the genuine virtue of effective devotion, honest dedication and closeness to Almighty Allah. It cultivates a vigilant and sound conscience - because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as well as in public. In fasting, especially, there is no mundane authority to check man’s behaviour or compel him to observe fasting. He keeps it to please Allah and satisfy his own conscience by being faithful in secret and in public.