THERE IS ONLY one direct mention of Ramadhan in the Qur’an.
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ
It was in the month of Ramadhan that the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong. (al-Baqarah 185)
Ramadhan is the month that the Qur’an was revealed on Laylatul Qadr from al-Lawh al-Mahfuzh (the Preserved Tablet) to Baytul ‘Izzah (the House of Pride) in the lowest heaven.
What is often missed about this ayah is that Allah revealed the Qur’an as hudan lin-nas i.e. guidance for the whole of humanity.
This hudan lin-nas is in every facet of life. Yet it is missing today with profound consequences for all.
At the individual level, without hudan lin-nas we find people living a life without purpose. They are deceived into thinking that they are free, that life is to be lived to maximise pleasure and realise every desire and that truth is whatever they want it to be. However, the reality is that despite having more material wealth than any previous generation, people are discovering that a life devoid of purpose beyond themselves is hollow and plagued by loneliness, sadness and despair.
In society, the absence of hudan lin-nas has led to a lack of human connection and the interdependence needed for building healthy communities. Family structures have become fragmented. Feminism has turned the cooperation of men and women into competition, undermined motherhood and commodified the woman. Schooling has become a means to create a generation of unquestioning economic entities that will add to the GDP. The elderly are seen as burdens on society with no further value and are relegated to old people’s homes.
In economics, the absence of hudan lin-nas has resulted in self-serving systems where the most wealthy are accumulating wealth at an exponential rate. Over the past two years, the wealthiest 1% have amassed nearly twice as much wealth as the rest of the world combined. Economic mismanagement based on models devoid of hudan lin-nas has resulted in cyclical financial crises which are created by the few and paid for by the many. Essential services are cut, and the majority face inflation, high living costs, and declining living standards.
In politics, the absence of hudan lin-nas leads to liars becoming prime ministers, convicted felons becoming presidents and tyrants ruling whole nations. Principles die as egos, greed and power take precedence over serving the people. Scapegoating, misinformation, betrayal, hatred and racism have become hallmarks of democracy and surefire ways to win votes.
In war, without hudan lin-nas we see no limits to death and destruction. Men, women, children, the elderly, mosques and churches are annihilated with no respect for humanity or life. That is what we have seen live-streamed in the last 17 months.
In media, without hudan lin-nas we see prejudice obscuring the truth. Hatred is given a voice and amplified and the truthful are silenced.
The list is endless as every aspect of our lives is affected by the absence of hudan lin-nas.
It isn’t supposed to be this way.
The Messenger ﷺ did not leave the Qur’an as something to be only recited and memorised or a book to adorn our shelves. Yes, he was referred to as the walking Qur’an in that he exemplified the Qur’an in thought and action. But he ﷺ also left us with a state, Madinah, that epitomized and embodied the entire Qur’an in all aspects of life – personal, social, economic, political, war, media and more. Through this state, the Qur’an truly became a way of life.
If we claim to be those who believe in this Qur’an, should we not too strive to embody this Qur’an and build a state that manifests it?
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ
The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger—never doubting—and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. They are the ones true in faith. (al-Hujurat 15)
Living For Islam 