Imam Khamenei

Impact of fasting on social relations

The holy month of Ramadan is one of the best opportunities for purifying the human soul of evils and increasing moral values. Khamenei.ir is publishing an excerpt of Imam Khamenei's statements that elaborates on the impacts of fasting on social relations.

We should try to benefit from this spiritual and pure environment - which exists in the month of Ramadan on a public level - for establishing a proper and spiritual relationship between ourselves and other people, for making correct decisions and for adopting proper measures. In our relationships with other people, we should be optimistic, we should have trust in others, we should be kind and we should be well-wishing. We should benefit from the month of Ramadan in a way that we show kindness in our social and human relationships and in a way that we turn the environment of living and the environment of the country into a more enlightened environment. [Jul 2, 2014]

In the same sermon which was delivered by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.), the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) asks the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) which act is the most blessed act. The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) answers, "Avoiding sins". Avoiding sins is of higher priority than Islamic obligations. It prevents one and one's heart and soul from being corrupted. These people avoid sins too. So, the blessings of Ramadan include fasting, reading the Holy Quran, engaging in dua and dhikr and avoiding sins. A combination of these things brings individuals close to achieving the things that Islam wants. When all of these things are done, then our hearts become empty of grudges, the spirit of sacrifice is revived and helping the poor and the underprivileged people becomes easy for us. It becomes easy for us to act to the advantage of the others and to the disadvantage of ourselves in materialistic issues. That is why crime decreases and good deeds increase in the month of Ramadan. Thanks to this divine celebration, in this month the people in a society show more kindness towards one another more than they do at other times. [Sep 14, 2007]

In the month of Ramadan, the spirit of helping people and the spirit of cooperation are prevalent among people. People’s selfishness is overcome in favor of altruism. Fortunately, you can see how many anonymous people have used mosques and even streets in some areas as centers for “banquets” for serving the servants of God in recent years and this year. They have prepared meals for Iftar [breaking the fast] and invited people to their own tables for Iftar without the usual ceremony, reserve and other considerations that exist in private dinner parties.

Volunteerism and benevolence for the interest of the public are very valuable and will lead to the purification of one’s soul. During the month of Ramadan, many charitable deeds were made to attend to the needy; including even blood donation. When the officials announced fresh blood was needed for the patients, a lot of people donated their blood in the month of Ramadan. This is the state when altruism prevails over selfishness when interests of others are intended to prevail over one’s own interests. This is, to some extent, inspired by the spirituality of the month of Ramadan] .Oct 1, 2008]

Related

Tags

  • fasting
  • Islamic Society
  • Prophet Muhammad
  • Ramadan

Comment