I have read, heard, and learned this verse many times, but I truly understood its meaning through my experience in Ramadan 2024.
Last year, I was very excited about Ramadan. Every day, I would talk to my friend about preparing for it, setting goals, and expressing my happiness. Counting down the days in anticipation was extremely difficult for me. However, just a few days before Ramadan, I fell ill, and my condition worsened during the holy month. All my goals were left unfulfilled. I could barely manage to pray the obligatory prayers and recite a small portion of the Qur'an.
My health improved slightly in the last ten days, but due to weakness, I couldn't do much. Throughout Ramadan, I felt somewhat sad because I couldn't achieve my goals or engage in abundant worship. Since then, I have been telling everyone that my previous Ramadan didn’t go well because I wasn’t able to worship much.
Yesterday, I came across this verse, and only then did I realize its true essence. Allah mentions that the purpose of fasting is to attain taqwa (God-consciousness). While worship holds immense significance and reward, the ultimate goal is to develop taqwa—protecting oneself from sins, nurturing the fear of Allah in one's heart, and being mindful of not displeasing Him.
So even if we are unable to perform extensive worship due to illness, if we manage to cultivate taqwa within ourselves, then we have achieved the true purpose. Our Ramadan has been beautiful.
If we are setting goals for Ramadan, then attaining taqwa should be our primary focus because this is what our Lord desires from us.
2 Comments
jazakAllah khair, I also fell sick in 2023 and didnt fast whole month ik how it may feel like. May Allah make us among muttaqeen.