“Ramadan is the (month) in which the Holy Qur’an was sent down to you, as a guide to mankind, and clear signs for guidance and salvation.” (2:185)
“Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.” (2:183)
Ramadan is the month of purification, self-discipline, and devotion toward the remembrance of God. It is a month during which the holy Qur’an was revealed by God to Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings upon him).
Hazrat Salaheddin Ali Nader Angha, the current Sufi Master of the M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi® School of Islamic Sufism®, has illuminated the spiritual significance of Ramadan and the reality of fasting in his teachings. The word “Ramada” ( رَمَضَ) ) means a land parched with the intense heat and dryness, a land which is so dry in its extreme thirst that its surface is cracked open, and the sections of the surface begin to curve up at the ends creating bowl-like shapes. The surface is almost detached from the ground facing the sky, waiting for the pure and life giving rain to quench its thirst.
This represents the yearning of the body and soul of the sincere seeker of the truth during the month of Ramadan. The seeker in his or her thirst and yearning avoids and turns his back to earthly pleasures. In his solitude, he turns toward the source of Life in his heart, awaiting the flow of knowledge and love from the spring of his heart.
The person fasting represents the one who is going through the process of purification. By refraining from food, drinks, and other cellular pleasures during the day time, and avoiding desires, negative thoughts, hard feelings, low attributes, and all unnecessary words and actions, he purifies his entire system.