Now the pertinent question is why the Muslims are required to fast for full thirty days during the month of Ramadan? "Siam", it may be mentioned here, is one of the five "Rokons" (pillars) of the grand edifice of Islam. And of the five pillars position of "Siam" is second just after "Salat", that is formal 5-time daily prayers. In this context we may refer to Ayats (Verse) 183 and 184 of Sura Baqara or the Heifer of the holy Qur-an. In these two Ayats Almighty Allah declares:
Ayat 183: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self restraint."
Ayat 184: "Fasting for a fixed number of days, but if any one of you is ill or on a journey, the precribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew."

Siam or Fasting in the month of Ramadan also reminds us of breaking of fast every day in the evening besides offering of extended special prayers called "Tarabih" immediately after usual "Isha" (night) prayer. The whole holy Qur-an is recited by "Hafizun"/"Huffaz" (persons who have learnt the whole Qur-an by heart) in course of 30 days.

Fasting not only teaches a Muslim to abstain himself from all kinds of unjust, evil and shameful deeds during the holy month of Ramadan, it also teaches him to abstain himself from all kinds of unjust and shameful deeds during the remaining eleven months of the year. In fact such commendable practice of abstention should continue till the last days of his life for Merciful and Bounteous Allah will certainly bestow His Bounties on His pious bandas (servants) in the Hereafter. We all must remember that Muslim fast is not merely self-torture. A Muslim not only endeavours to restrain him-self from food, drink and sex, he simultaneously tries his best to abstain himself from all kinds of evil and shameful deeds.

Great importance of the holy month of Ramadan can also be gauged from the fact that not only all the Books including Injil (Bible) and Taurat (Tora) were revealed in the month of Ramadan, the greatest and last of all the Books the Qur-an was also reveled on the greatest of all men and all Prophets Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). And when the first three verses of Sura Alaq of the Holy Qur-an, were revealed? The first three Ayats of the Noble Qur-an were revealed according to a highly authentic source, on Monday, 21st Ramadan at night, that is, August 10, 610 AD with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) exactly 40 years, 6 months and 12 days of age. I may quote here the three verses: "Read! In the name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), has created man from a clot (a blob of thick coagulated blood) "Read! and your Lord is the Most Generous". (96: 103).

Again the holy month of Ramadan gives unique opportunity to Muslim to rectify amend his past mistakes as well as his monumental blunders. Here I would like to cite just one concrete example how a Muslim can purify or rectify himself in one particular field of his daily life. A rich and resourceful Muslim contemplates to ensuing Eid-ul-Fitr holidays with his family and close relatives in a fabulous manner. Since Benign Allah has given him money, materials and opportunity to enjoy his Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in a grand way. But does he ever think for a moment that one of his close relatives may be suffering from a serious ailment in a remate village and languishing due to want to medicine and proper diet? A fraction of the huge amount of the aforesaid rich man's holiday budget could be spent, interalia, for giving the patient the much needed relief. And in that case Almighty and Benign Allah would be pleased with him. In Ayat 7 of Sura Hadid (Iron) Lord creator declares:

"Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees; and such of you as believe and spend (aright) theirs will be good reward."

Let our tycoons and traders, and the rich and resourceful persons hailing from the upper strata of the society ponder whether they should do something for the indigent and poor persons of the society. Let us learn lesson from the holy month of Ramadan. A moneyed man is not actually the owner of his money, he is nearly a trustee of the huge amount he might have earned by the "sweat of his brow" as clearly indicated in the aforesaid Ayat of the Holy Qur-an.

Kazi Aulad Hussain is a retired govt high official.