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I usually ask the person how they could possibly know that without even trying. As submitters we know that fasting can be difficult at times, but with God it is actually much easier than it sounds. God makes it possible, only God. How many of us have caught ourselves immediately following Ramadan finding ourselves to be famished at multiple points during the day? Even though we just completed our month of obligatory fasting, now that the month has passed and our obligation has been fulfilled, it seems we lack the same type of control over our bodies. Not that we are actually in control of our bodies anytime. As submitters, we know that God is in full control of our bodies at all times of the year. He is in full control of everything.
[3:109] To GOD belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth, and all matters are controlled by GOD.
[11:123] To GOD belongs the future of the heavens and the earth, and all matters are controlled by Him. You shall worship Him and trust in Him. Your Lord is never unaware of anything you do
[55:29] Imploring Him is everyone in the heavens and the earth. Every day He is in full control.
What may be happening outside of our Ramadan fast is that we aren’t asking God for help as we do during Ramadan. So while we can go all day without eating during Ramadan, on the day after Ramadan, we’re ready for lunch at 11. May God guide us to do better at imploring Him even outside of Ramadan.
In addition to fasting, we try to use the month of Ramadan to work on the negative traits that hold us back. On the first day of Ramadan last year, my son gave me attitude. Normally I would have snapped at him for talking to me like that. But God controlled my temper.
I realized I didn’t want to nullify my fast that day by losing my temper. So, I simply smiled at him and went on as if nothing had happened. God helped me curb my ego and quell the devilish voice in my head. When little things like this happen, it’s a type of confirmation that God is on our side, helping us and making the fasts go forward easier.
God willing, we will continue to remember that God is in full control during this year’s Ramadan and beyond. This is “training camp” for the rest of the year. Let’s use the blessings of the commandment to observe this month as a means to train ourselves to be even stronger in our righteousness. May God grant each of us a peaceful and accomplished Ramadan. May God accept our submission and guide us to be among the elite of the elite in the Hereafter. Praise God.
[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.
[2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD’s laws; you shall not transgress them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.
French Writer, Victor Hugo, once wrote that “peace is the virtue of civilization, war is its crime” (Baça).
In thinking philosophically about peace, the following questions arise: What is peace, and why do we crave it so much?
To me, peace is the opposite of chaos, it’s the prevalence of order and justice. It’s having a tranquil mind that is resistant to anxiety. Peace is a hallmark of GOD’s Kingdom, and chaos is a hallmark of Satan’s kingdom.
[56:25] They never hear any nonsense therein, nor sinful utterances. [56:26] Only the utterance: “Peace, peace.”
[8:73] Those who disbelieved are allies of one another. Unless you keep these commandments, there will be chaos on earth, and terrible corruption.
In fact, we find in the Quran that peace is a way of life in heaven, [44:55] They enjoy in it all kinds of fruits, in perfect peace.
When we look at the chaos that is prevalent on planet earth, we are witnessing Satan’s incompetence as a god, and the lack of peace on earth is a clear sign of this incompetence.
[2:30] Recall that your Lord said to the angels, “I am placing a representative (a temporary god) on Earth.” They said, “Will You place therein one who will spread evil therein and shed blood, while we sing Your praises, glorify You, and uphold Your absolute authority?” He said, “I know what you do not know.”
The absence of peace, is really the absence of GOD, since one of GOD Almighty’s names is the Peace.
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