Ramadan has come again. Every act of worship that Allah asks us to perform has a purpose. Just as Allah commanded the angels and Iblis to prostrate to Adam, it was not to worship Adam, but to test who would obey and who would disobey. Many of us think that fasting is merely about abstaining from food and drink. However, in this verse, Allah tells us that through fasting, we may ultimately attain taqwa (piety).

Thus, taqwa is the primary goal we should seek in this Ramadan. How can we attain taqwa if, during Ramadan, we are more preoccupied with planning our meals? We focus more on worldly matters than on the hereafter. We think about where to celebrate Eid, new furniture, new clothes, and so on. Do we ever think about how to become better people, how to guard our gaze, speech, hearing, and actions from haram (forbidden) things? If we previously did not cover our aurat (modesty), this Ramadan could be the catalyst to truly obey and cover our aurat, quit smoking, make changes, and maintain that better state even after Ramadan ends. That is taqwa. Why is taqwa important? Because Paradise belongs to the people of taqwa. Without taqwa, it is impossible for us to enter Paradise (Aali Imran 133). Look at these two verses—they both end with the mention of the people of taqwa.

The question is, what is taqwa, and how do we know if we have attained it by the end of Ramadan? If we remain the same, unchanged, still persisting in sin, not guarding our gaze, hearing, and actions, it means the 'madrasah' (school) of Ramadan has not succeeded for us. We have not attained taqwa. Is that dangerous? Yes, it is dangerous. We must quickly repent and seek forgiveness.

Think about this: isn't eating and drinking a daily necessity for us, and its original ruling is permissible (mubah)? Yet, Allah has made this permissible thing haram (forbidden) for us by commanding us to fast. If we love our children, we would provide them with good food (necessities). But Allah's way of loving us is different. He withholds our necessity of eating and drinking. Logically, if Allah loves us, He would give us ease. But instead, He does not. Look at what Allah wants to give us—something far greater, eternal bliss. Allah wants to grant us Paradise, but only to those who are obedient and possess taqwa. If we can leave behind what is halal (permissible) and a necessity, how much easier should it be to leave behind what is originally haram and not a necessity? Examples of haram things that are not necessities include backbiting, having ill thoughts, smoking, lying, and being untrustworthy. Many Muslims fast from food and drink but still do not abstain from these haram and makruh (disliked) actions. After breaking their fast, they immediately take a cigarette and smoke. In their minds, fasting is only during the day, and after breaking the fast, it's okay to smoke. Remember, the night is still part of Ramadan, and we are still required to fast—not from food, but from indulging in haram desires.

Many people can abstain from food and drink, but not many can abstain from their desires and bad behavior. During Ramadan, they still waste, lie, are lazy, backbite, have ill thoughts, get angry easily, and speak poorly. This makes it difficult to attain taqwa. May we better understand what Allah wants from us this Ramadan. May our fasting not only bring us hunger and thirst but also grant us taqwa, forgiveness of our sins, and salvation from the Hellfire. Let us not be among those whom the angels curse and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) affirms, the people who pass through Ramadan without having their sins forgiven. Wallahualam (And Allah knows best).