FARHANA BEHJAT Arabnews
Friday 19 July 2013

Ramadan is a holy month in which each of us gets opportunity to make the best out of it. A chance to earn as much reward and good deeds as we want from Allah, and to ask for forgiveness of our sins. A month to change and start our life anew. One of the most important things that Ramadan teaches us is ‘brotherhood.’

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said in a Hadith: “The Muslim Ummah is like one body. If an eye is in pain then the whole body is in pain and if the head is in pain then the whole body is in pain.”

The prime illustration of this brotherhood can be seen in the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah in the month of Ramadan.

Millions circumambulate the Kaaba with beads of sweat on their forehead and the serene look on their faces. As the time of Maghrib draws in, you are elated to find many people ready to serve you with Zamzam and dates while you are still absorbed in the tranquility of Haram and the spirituality of the ambiance. When the Azan echoes under the never-ending blue canopy, everyone in Haram breaks his/her fast with dates and Zamzam. The Saudi government makes special arrangements too as the sufra is laid with gahwa (a special Arabic coffee), dates and Zamzam. Families sitting outside the Masjid share food with other families. Food is prohibited to be taken inside the Mosque.

As the Muezzin begins to say Takbir, the volunteers and other staff of the Holy Masjid take seconds to remove the leftovers and clean the whole vicinity in no time. And then begins the most disciplined and awesome act of a spiritual ritual: A complete silence dawns upon the vicinity as the voice of the Imam reciting the Qur’an begins and millions of people stand behind aligning shoulder to shoulder facing Kaaba and prostrate before the Creator of the worlds, the All Knower, to say their Maghrib prayer.

Witnessing this panoramic view of a large gathering — all facing Kaaba — is perhaps the most priceless moment for a Muslim in this world. Millions and millions of people facing the Qiblah under the fluorescent twilight sky and praising the Lord who has blessed us with every wonderful thing; but little do we care about thanking Him for all those bounties He has bestowed on us.

Allah said in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Hujjurat (49:10): “The believers are nothing else than brothers. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.”

SOURCE: ARABNEWS http://www.themuslimtimes.org/wp-admin/post-new.php