The Prophet (sas) said:
"They fast when all fast, break their fast when others break it, and sacrifice the day when they sacrifice others."
The Imam at-Tirmidhi (d. 275H) (raa) said:
"Some of the People of Knowledge explained this hadeeth saying: Its meaning is to fast and to break fast along with your Yama'a and most people."
Thus, in this blessed month we can realize a feeling of unity and being one Umma due to our fasting and breaking our fast collectively. We also feel a greater awareness of the general state of Muslims and the hardships they endure, because: "During fasting, one perceives and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel, as is the case today for many Muslims in Africa." In fact, the unity of Muslims and help each other is one of the great principles on which Islam is based, as Allah (swt) said: "And you cling to the covenant of Allah all together and without dividing." (Aal `Imraan 3: 103). Allah (swt) also said: "
Shaysh-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) (raa) said: "The well-being of people will not be complete neither in this world nor in the future without the ultimate '(collectivity), without ta'awun (mutual cooperation ), And without tanassur (mutual aid), mutual cooperation to secure benefits, and mutual help to keep us from harm.This is why it is said that man is social and civil by nature.
Thus we see how Islam puts great emphasis on gathering hearts and encouraging the ultimate (the collectivity). This is not only reflected in the month of Ramadan, but also in all other practices of Islam. For example, the Prophet himself tells us that the ideal is to perform the five daily Salats in congregation, and that twenty-seven times the benefits of doing it individually are obtained. Likewise, this collective spirit is demonstrated in the act of Hajj (the Pilgrimage). Even in the learning of knowledge and study, blessings have been placed in doing so collectively, even in our daily actions such as eating, Islam teaches us collectivity. So when some of the Companions of the Prophet (s) said to him, "O Messenger of Allah, we eat but we are not satisfied," he replied: "Do you eat individually?" They answered: Yes! So he said, "Eat together and mention the name of Allah. There will be blessings then for you."
In fact, even on the label when sitting the spirit of collectivity is shown. So one day the Prophet (sas) found that the Companions were sitting in separate circles, so he said to them, "Why do I see you sitting seperated?"
Thus, Ramadan is a time to increase our sense of unity and brotherhood, and our commitment to Allah and His Din. And there is no doubt that this sense of unity necessitates that: "We work together as Islam requires, as sincere brethren, without intolerance or sectarianism, to understand that what is of benefit to the Islamic Umma is beneficial to the whole Earth."
We must examine ourselves during Ramadan and we must ask ourselves: What is my role, and each one of us has a role, in helping this wonderful Umma regain her honor, and is given back her unity and strength, and the victory she Have you been promised? Likewise, we must reflect on our character and actions and ask ourselves: Are they helping the process of unity and brotherhood, or are they a harm and a hindrance to it?
So we ask Allah to grant us the ability to change for the better, during this blessed month, lest we be of those who are deprived of His Rahma and goodness. In fact He is the One who Hears and He is the Only one who responds.
"They fast when all fast, break their fast when others break it, and sacrifice the day when they sacrifice others."
The Imam at-Tirmidhi (d. 275H) (raa) said:
"Some of the People of Knowledge explained this hadeeth saying: Its meaning is to fast and to break fast along with your Yama'a and most people."
Thus, in this blessed month we can realize a feeling of unity and being one Umma due to our fasting and breaking our fast collectively. We also feel a greater awareness of the general state of Muslims and the hardships they endure, because: "During fasting, one perceives and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel, as is the case today for many Muslims in Africa." In fact, the unity of Muslims and help each other is one of the great principles on which Islam is based, as Allah (swt) said: "And you cling to the covenant of Allah all together and without dividing." (Aal `Imraan 3: 103). Allah (swt) also said: "
Shaysh-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) (raa) said: "The well-being of people will not be complete neither in this world nor in the future without the ultimate '(collectivity), without ta'awun (mutual cooperation ), And without tanassur (mutual aid), mutual cooperation to secure benefits, and mutual help to keep us from harm.This is why it is said that man is social and civil by nature.
Thus we see how Islam puts great emphasis on gathering hearts and encouraging the ultimate (the collectivity). This is not only reflected in the month of Ramadan, but also in all other practices of Islam. For example, the Prophet himself tells us that the ideal is to perform the five daily Salats in congregation, and that twenty-seven times the benefits of doing it individually are obtained. Likewise, this collective spirit is demonstrated in the act of Hajj (the Pilgrimage). Even in the learning of knowledge and study, blessings have been placed in doing so collectively, even in our daily actions such as eating, Islam teaches us collectivity. So when some of the Companions of the Prophet (s) said to him, "O Messenger of Allah, we eat but we are not satisfied," he replied: "Do you eat individually?" They answered: Yes! So he said, "Eat together and mention the name of Allah. There will be blessings then for you."
In fact, even on the label when sitting the spirit of collectivity is shown. So one day the Prophet (sas) found that the Companions were sitting in separate circles, so he said to them, "Why do I see you sitting seperated?"
Thus, Ramadan is a time to increase our sense of unity and brotherhood, and our commitment to Allah and His Din. And there is no doubt that this sense of unity necessitates that: "We work together as Islam requires, as sincere brethren, without intolerance or sectarianism, to understand that what is of benefit to the Islamic Umma is beneficial to the whole Earth."
We must examine ourselves during Ramadan and we must ask ourselves: What is my role, and each one of us has a role, in helping this wonderful Umma regain her honor, and is given back her unity and strength, and the victory she Have you been promised? Likewise, we must reflect on our character and actions and ask ourselves: Are they helping the process of unity and brotherhood, or are they a harm and a hindrance to it?
So we ask Allah to grant us the ability to change for the better, during this blessed month, lest we be of those who are deprived of His Rahma and goodness. In fact He is the One who Hears and He is the Only one who responds.