Ramadan

Q: Does oversleep during Ramadan day spoil our fast? A: In the name of God, praise be to Him, and peace be upon his Messenger. Ramadan is a month of worship by night and day. Night worship includes observing Tarawih prayer and reciting the Qur'an; whereas day worship comprises mainly fasting, in addition, of course, to the usual prayers. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the very fasting of an individual even though s/he spends the whole day sleeping provided that s/he performs their set daytime prayers each in its due time.

In the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to apply themselves more and increase their worship more than they do in ordinary days. In addition, Ramadan is also a more opportune season for contemplation and re-discovery of the self. Because of its deep transformative power, Ramadan will always be a sign of God which refers to His might and His mercy.

“Stay tenaciously in the companionship of those who call their Lord morning and evening, seeking His countenance; and let not your eyes overlook them, seeking the splendor of the worldly life. And do not obey the one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance, and who has followed his desire and whose behavior has exceeded the limits.” We have to obey the Almighty God and follow the Messenger—God bless him and grant him peace. And this begins with what?

Just like Joseph [peace be upon him], Ramadan is a month which sweeps clean our messes in the other months of the year. Did not Joseph kindheartedly acquit his brothers of their mischievous act, telling them (No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful)? (12:92). Just as Jacob's children rushed to their brother Joseph [peace be upon him], we, burdened with our wrong deeds, likewise rush to Ramadan, looking forward to the Prophet's glad tidings: “whoever fasts Ramadan out of sincere faith and expectation of Allah’s rewards, all his previous sins are forgiven” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Everyone who truly under­stands fasting and its secret knows that he who abstains from food, drink, and sexual intercourse but commits [all manner of] sins is like the person who, in performing the ablution runs his hand over one of his members thrice, thereby outwardly fulfilling the Law as far as the member is concerned, but neglecting the truly important thing which is the actual washing. Consequently, because of his ignorance, his prayer is rejected.

Ramadan offers us a rare opportunity to think about ourselves, our behaviors and finally our relation with God. The purpose of the fast is to elevate one’s spirituality and to enable him/her to attain awareness to God.