Ramadan is the month of training for the whole year so that the true adherents and believers can regulate their life in accordance with the tenets of holy Quran and the ideals of the holy Prophet (SM).

The necessity of religion is admitted by all. It is when human beings indulge in sensual pleasure and sins that they pay heavy penalty for their follies and frailties. The wages of sin is untimely death. It is by reposing trust in Almighty God that man can make happy abode on earth.

Goethe, the great poet and thinker of Germany, once said to the skeptics, "If it is supposed that there is no God, we have to invent it." The reason is obvious. Without belief in the existence of the Creator, human life will be not only miserable but also deplorable.

Ramadan gives us golden opportunity to inculcate in us the qualities of patience and perseverance. The holy Prophet Mohammed (SM) said: "Patience is my mantle, renunciation is my profession, struggle is my habit, remembrance of God is my constant companion, prayer is the pleasure of my heart, Taqwa (God fearing) is my friend."

The aim of fasting throughout the month of Ramadan is achieving nearness to God by attaining Taqwa (La allakum tattaqun- as referred to in the holy Quran). According to Prophet Mohammed (SM), "Al-mojahedu man jahada nafsahu" --implying that a real crusader is he who has subdued and conquered his evil propensities.

Ramadan is the month of restraint, cessation from temptation. This restraint can be compared to a brake of a vehicle without which it can bring about an accident at every step. On the other hand, it is in the month of Ramadan that a fasting Muslim by weakening his animal instincts and impulses can be able to drive out evil habits like smoking, drinking, sensual enjoyment etc. A true fasting man/woman can feel nearer to God in this very month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the month of fellow-feeling and sympathy. A rojader can feel heart and soul the pain and torment of the hungry and the thirsty brethren who hardly get a square meal a day.

Ramadan is the month of universal brotherhood throughout the Muslim world. Fasting Muslims take sehri and iftar and perform tarabee prayer at the same time everywhere. Thus they feel an unbreakable bond of unity and solidarity among them, which symbolises the message of order and rhythm in their life-style.

Ramadan is the season of harvesting bumper crops of taqwa and offering sadqa (zakat and charity) to the poor and the needy, about which there are innumerable references in the Quranul Karim. By offering zakat a Muslim can purify his wealth and property in as much as he can sanctify his body and soul by performing namaj (prayer) and observing roza (fast) during the month of Ramadan.

This is why Ramadan is called the time of self-purification and self-realisation. Our holy Prophet said, "Man arafa nafsahu, faked arafa rabbahu" -- he who has understood himself, has understood God.

From the medical point of view Ramadan is beneficial to our health. The holy prophet said, "Keep fast and you will be hale and hearty." Fasting of Ramadan by driving out toxic waste from the intestine of the body paves the way for sound health. Ramadan fasting is an antidote to various maladies like dyspepsia, diabetes, ulcer etc.

Have we asked ourselves how far we have succeeded in attaining taqwa or God-fearingness, which can be achieved by honest living, by doing good to others, by seeking supreme satisfaction of Almighty Allah through pious deeds and noble actions, and not by pious fraud or displaying tendency, which we see today in our society all around? After all, playing to the gallery has become the order of the day.

Ramadan is the month of jehad (war) against the enemies of Islam. The historic battle of Badar took place in this very month of Ramadan, when the Muslims came out with flying colours. Our holy Prophet had to fight innumerable battles in his life -- as many as 39 against the arch enemies of Islam. Thus Ramadan is the month of valour for a mujahid (crusader).

Over and above, Ramadan is the month of self-criticism and self-evaluation. This is the month of stock-taking of mental and spiritual elevation and improvement. Have we miserably failed to rectify ourselves by following in the foot-steps of our holy Prophet? Do we abide by the injunctions of the holy Quran? Do we not render lip-service to the religion? Are our words in conformity with our deeds?

What we see today in our society and the country? There is no denying the fact that many of us have lost our character, which is the crown and glory of life. We are performing namaj (prayer) and observing roza (fasting) outwardly, but inwardly we have fallen into deep valley of degradation and deterioration.

What we see today in every nook and corner of the country? Corruption and crime of every description reigns supreme. Danger of every kind looms large and stares us in the face. But there is roza (fasting) of mouth, eyes, ears, hands, legs -- every limb of human being -- signifying keeping a check on and abstaining from all abominable things and deeds.

Ramadan is the very month in which Quran, the holy scripture was revealed during the night of Shab-e-Qadr, the night of honour, better than thousand nights as is referred to in the Quran.

Musa, Isa, Mohammad (SM) and many other prophets used to observe fasting for days together to prepare themselves for the divine blessings and spiritual elevation.

It is said that, a Muslim who is unable to get his or her sins remitted in this month by ebadat (prayer and fasting) and by seeking satisfaction and pleasure of the Almighty is luckless and unfortunate.

Ramadan is the month of rahmat (mercy), magferat (forgiveness), nazat (salvation), fazilat (benefits), saogat (rewards), barkat (charity and beneficence).

A number of pious Muslims, on behalf of the locality, pass their days and nights during the last ten days of Ramadan in the mosque. Such seclusion and meditation for worship and devotion is called etekaf.

Thus Ramadan is the month of divine benediction and blessings. It is in this month that human beings can attain the quality of angels during the day by getting rid of hunger and thirst and bestial propensity. Our holy prophet said: "Takhalaqu bi akhla killah," -- be inspired with God-like qualities.

The day of Eid-ul-Fitr following the month of Ramadan bears out the message of rejoicing, fellow-feeling, brotherhood and fraternity so that all Muslims can become co-sharer of laughter and tears of each other.

By pleasing a poor man, feeding the unfed, clothing the unclothed, and conferring upon him zakat (charity) and endowments, you can seek the supreme satisfaction of Almighty Allah, who is the Creator, Protector, and Distructor of the vast universe.

Eid-ul-Fitr is not only a day of vermicellis and delicious dishes for the riches, but also day of giving away fitra to the have-nots and indigent who have to struggle hard to keep the wolf from the door. This system of fitra and zakat in Islam is meant for dispensation of social justice and ensuring social security among the Muslims.

But in our present day society many evil customs and alien activities are in vogue on the Eid day in the name of Eid festivities and Eid-celebrations, like gambling, lottery, cracker bursting and noisy fire works, to the disgust of the devotees. Merry-making, recreation and pastime is not forbidden in Islam. But there is a limit to every thing.

In absence of social security and justice and rule of law, people in our society and country can hardly laugh and smile. There are many have-nots, pavement dwellers and left-over eaters who have been starving for days together in silence. None are aware of their miseries and precarious condition. There are many poor patients who are pilgrims to the grave. But none lament for them. This is the strange irony of fate. Is this the curse of civilisation?

We are well aware of our Ramjan singers, who render yeoman's service to the devotee by awakening them at dead of night and during small hours, chanting ghazals and devotional religious songs. It is they who rouse the slumberous from the stupor.

On this day of rejoicing and happy Eid, one must bear in mind that the deprived and the have-nots have every right and claim to the property and wealth of the opulent. Your act of piety and benevolence and milk of human kindness will add to your name and fame, to your welfare here and hereafter. Should you prove yourself good-Samaritan to others and neighbours, this will pave the way for your prosperity and longevity.

Abul Kalam Elias is a former college principal and research fellow, Bangla Academy.