written by Amanda Quraishi

Ramadan is upon us and Muslims around the world are gearing up for a time of renewed focus on our spirituality. Most people think of fasting when they hear that Ramadan is coming, and it’s true that this is indeed a major part of observing our holy month. But fasting is only part of the experience, and it actually has a very important purpose in addition to just teaching us personal discipline.

Charity and social justice are huge components of Islam. During Ramadan Muslims are encouraged to remember those who, through no choice of their own, go hungry and thirsty each day of the year. Our fasting is a way for us to learn empathy and humility, to remember all that we have to be thankful for and to give ourselves over to experiencing the kind of physical discomfort that we spend most of our lives trying to avoid.

This empathy should move us to action. The Islamic version of ‘The Golden Rule’ tells us:

“Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.” – Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]

Another of the authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] says:

“The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur’an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind.” [Al-Bukhari]

As Muslims it may be tempting to do less during Ramadan because we are fatigued from fasting. But this is a time for us to push ourselves to do more in the service of others, and seek out new ways to demonstrate the beauty of the tradition of our Prophet.