Washing cups and plates? What does that have to do with Ramadan? Isa once rebuked religious leaders about this. His rebuke strongly relates to a major problem Muslims face when considering a Ramadan priority.
Dr.Abdur-Razzaq, a professor in the field of Muslim beliefs at the Islamic University in Madinah, refers to the same problem in his excellent article on Ramadan. We need to check out what they are talking about so that “The Fasting Month” will be truly meaningful.
What’s the Ramadan Priority?
“Fast Month is not only fasting from food and drink but also from laghwun (unprofitable things) and rafats (bad deeds) . . .” (Al Mustadrak, 1/595, no. 1570).
A sincere Muslim tries to follow all the guidelines of Ramadan carefully, mainly not eating or drinking during daylight hours. If successful, it is easy for pride to enter one’s heart. Maybe he inwardly feels superior to others who have broken the fast.
According to the quote above a person must fast from all bad deeds and thoughts. We need to ask ourselves: Is pride because we are better at fasting than others an ‘unprofitable thing’ or a ‘bad deed’? Email us your opinion.
Sin Hidden in the Heart Destroys the Benefit of Fasting!
Professor Abdur-Razzaq in his article touched on the problem of “evil” and “wickedness” in the human heart.
Maybe the greatest evil and wickedness that destroys the spiritual value of fasting is pride and arrogance.
Here’s a holy verse from the great prophet Solomon: “Whoever has a proud heart is contemptible to God. That person will not escape judgment!” (Proverbs 16:5, paraphrase).
So, outwardly a person may appear to be fasting according to Sharia, while inwardly he is terribly arrogant. Doesn’t hidden sin like pride (Qs 7:166, 14:21) trouble many fasting Muslims and cancel out the value of their fast?
Professor Abdur-Razzaq suggests prayer can protect us from having such an evil heart. But does Allah really use prayer to protect us from developing a prideful heart? Email us if that has been your experience.
Nabi Isa’s Metaphor of the Cup and Dish
It appears Prof. Abdur-Razzaq agrees with the teaching of Nabi Isa about this crucial Ramadan priority.
Isa said to all Christians and Muslims, “. . . You carefully wash the outside of a cup and dish but leave the inside dirty. In other words, outwardly you look good but inwardly you are filthy, full of greed, self-indulgence [and pride]” (Matthew 23:25-26, paraphrase).
The Ramadan priority is to have a pure heart, clean from all kinds of hidden evil including pride!
The Only Way to Cleanse the Heart of Hidden Sin during Ramadan
Fasting from food is easy! But who does not struggle with fasting from sinful thoughts, motives or pride?
The prophet, John the Baptist, pointing to Isa, once said, “Look, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
During this Ramadan ask Isa Al-Masih to cleanse your heart from all hidden sin. Then you will truly receive Allah’s blessing, the blessing of a new heart cleansed from sin and certainty of eternal life in heaven!
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- This article talks about the Ramadan Priority, having a heart that is clean from hidden sins including pride. In your opinion is this important? Explain your answer.
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- Isa is the only prophet that never sinned. Why are Muslim men and women hesitant to ask Him to cleanse them from their sin?
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Following are two links that relate to the article above, Ramadan Priority. Please check them out.
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