Ramadan: A Soul-Searching and Ethical-Mentoring Month for the Entire Muslim Ummah

Indeed, Islamic worships encourage the spiritual and ethical domains of human life. The main objective of Islamic worship is the attainment of the state of righteousness (taqwa) to become closer to Allah Almighty. The human being, with overall nature and inbuilt system, invariably needs refurbishing of thoughts and renewal of behavioral strengths. For that matter, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Provider, the Controller of the universe, Allah Almighty has prescribed, among other worships, the entire month of Ramadan as that of fasting to achieve the goal. Ramadan offers opportunities for those who fast to get closer to Allah, beseech Him earnestly, internalize the messages of the Qur'an, develop themselves intellectually, accustomed to looking at the things critically, seek His forgiveness, orientate themselves morally, treat the beloved ones with love and compassion, and remember those in the society who were left behind in the material competition. With this training availed in the fasting month, humankind can hardly stumble in any dimensions of life, including moral, devotional, social, familial, political, and economical in the remaining eleven months of the year. The methodology applied in the discussion over these issues related to Ramadan is rational and analytical, rather than traditional. The conclusion reached in the discussion is that Ramadan is the month of the all-inclusive mentoring of humankind. Overall, the study reflects upon the soul-searching and ethical-mentoring activities in the month of Ramadan for the growth of the entire Muslim Ummah.