The Deeper Meaning of Ramadan
Returning to Our Divine Home
Imagine a fish removed from the water—it struggles, gasps, and ultimately perishes. The water is its life source, the environment created by Allah for its survival. Similarly, if a tree is uprooted from the earth, it withers away because the soil is its foundation, nourishing its existence.
Now, consider humanity. Allah created us and breathed into us from His spirit:
So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit...
— (Qur’an, 15:29)
Just as the fish needs water and the tree needs soil, our souls need Allah. When we disconnect from Him, we experience a deep spiritual death. We may continue existing physically, but our inner light dims, our hearts feel empty, and our purpose feels distant. Ramadan is our chance to return—to reconnect with the One who sustains our souls.
Ramadan: A Journey Back to Allah
Ramadan is more than just abstaining from food and drink; it is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in our true spiritual environment—the presence of Allah. It is a time to purify the heart, control desires, and renew our devotion. Imam Ghazali describes fasting as having three levels, each representing a more profound step in this spiritual journey:
1. The Ordinary Fast: The Body’s Discipline
This is the basic level of fasting, which most people observe—refraining from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn to sunset. While this is essential, it is only the outer shell of fasting. The true purpose goes beyond hunger; it teaches patience, gratitude, and self-restraint.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
Many who fast gain nothing from their fasting except hunger and thirst.
— (Ibn Majah, 1690)
If fasting is only physical, its true essence is lost. The next step is protecting our senses and actions from sin.
2. The Special Fast: The Fast of the Senses
This level goes beyond physical fasting to include guarding the eyes, ears, tongue, hands, and feet from sin. It means refraining from:
• Looking at what is forbidden.
• Speaking falsehood, gossip, or harsh words.
• Listening to what displeases Allah.
• Engaging in harmful actions or distractions.
Jabir (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
Fasting is a shield. When you fast, do not behave ignorantly or argue. If someone abuses you, say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’
— (Bukhari & Muslim)
True fasting refines our character. If we control our speech and actions during Ramadan, we are training ourselves to maintain righteousness throughout the year.
3. The Elite Fast: The Fast of the Heart
This is the highest level of fasting, observed by the prophets and the most pious individuals. It is the fasting of the heart—purifying it from worldly distractions and filling it with the remembrance of Allah. It means:
• Freeing the heart from anything other than Allah.
• Avoiding thoughts of material possessions, desires, or distractions.
• Focusing entirely on worship, reflection, and spiritual closeness to Allah.
Those who reach this level of fasting experience true peace and fulfillment because their hearts are attached only to Allah. They view Ramadan as a time to detach from dunya (worldly life) and immerse themselves in the Divine presence.
Practical Actions to Reconnect with Allah in Ramadan
To maximize our spiritual return to Allah during this blessed month, we can focus on the following:
1. Practicing Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr & Quran Recitation)
The most valuable way to connect with our Creator is through dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and recitation of the Quran. Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed, making it the perfect time to deepen our relationship with it.
Allah says:
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an, and indeed, We will be its guardian.
— (Qur’an, 15:9)
Take time daily to recite and reflect on the Quran. Engage in constant dhikr, such as:
SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah)
Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
The comparison of the one who remembers Allah and the one who does not is like that of the living and the dead.
— (Bukhari, 6407)
The more we remember Allah, the more our hearts awaken and the closer we feel to Him.
2. Contemplation (Tafakkur) – Discovering the Beauty, Power, and Mercy of Allah
Beyond performing acts of worship, we must also take time to reflect on Allah’s signs—in the Quran, in creation, and in our own lives. Tafakkur (deep contemplation) helps us appreciate Allah’s wisdom and develop a profound love for Him.
Allah encourages us to reflect:
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason. ˹They are˺ those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth ˹and pray˺, “Our Lord! You have not created ˹all of˺ this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire.
— (Qur’an, 3:190-191)
Spend moments in silence, observing nature, thinking about Allah’s mercy in your life, and realizing that everything around you is a reminder of His presence. Let this contemplation bring humility, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose.
3. Pray at Night (Tahajjud & Qiyam-ul-Layl)
Use the quiet hours of the night to pray and seek closeness to Allah. Lailatul Qadr, the Night of Decree, is hidden in the last ten nights—an opportunity to gain Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.
Allah says:
“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Glory. And what can make you know what is the Night of Glory? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.”
— (Qur’an, 97:1-3)
4. Seek Forgiveness and Purify the Heart
One of the greatest ways to draw closer to Allah during Ramadan is through seeking His forgiveness (istighfar) and purifying our hearts from grudges, arrogance, and negativity. A pure heart is the key to a successful Ramadan because Allah loves those who repent and those whose hearts are free from resentment.
A. Seeking Allah’s Forgiveness (Istighfar & Tawbah)
Ramadan is the month of mercy and forgiveness. No matter how many mistakes we have made, Allah’s doors of mercy are always open. He loves when His servants return to Him in repentance.
Allah says:
Say, O Prophet, that Allah says, ‘O My servants who have exceeded the limits against themsefls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’
— (Qur’an, 39:53)
Engage in frequent istighfar (seeking forgiveness) by saying:
Astaghfirullah (I seek Allah’s forgiveness)
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni
(O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.
— (Bukhari & Muslim)
B. Forgiving Others & Removing Grudges
Just as we seek forgiveness from Allah, we must also forgive others. Holding grudges only weighs down our hearts and prevents us from experiencing true peace and connection with Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
Do not harbor grudges against one another, nor jealousy, nor hatred, and do not sever relationships. Be, O servants of Allah, as brothers. It is not permissible for a Muslim to boycott his brother for more than three days.
— (Bukhari & Muslim)
Practical Steps to Forgive Others:
Make dua for them – Ask Allah to guide and bless those who wronged you.
Let go of resentment – Understand that forgiving does not mean excusing but rather freeing yourself from the burden of anger.
Remember your own need for Allah’s mercy – If we want Allah to forgive us, we must be willing to forgive others.
C. Making Dua (prayed) for a Pure Heart
One of the best duas we can make during Ramadan is:
O Allah, purify my heart from hypocrisy, my deeds from showing off, my tongue from lies, and my eyes from treachery. Indeed, You know what the eyes conceal and what the hearts hide.
Another beautiful dua of the Prophet ﷺ:
"O Allah, unite our hearts, reconcile our differences, and guide us to the ways of peace."
— (Abu Dawood, 3592)
D. Night of Forgiveness – Lailatul Qadr
Ramadan gives us a golden opportunity to have all our sins forgiven. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Whoever stands in prayer during Lailatul Qadr with faith and seeking reward, all of his past sins will be forgiven.
— (Bukhari & Muslim)
On this night, ask Allah:
"Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni."
(O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.)
Final Thought: A Clean Heart = A Successful Ramadan
A heart filled with love, humility, and sincerity is the best vessel for receiving Allah’s mercy in Ramadan. Cleanse your heart, seek forgiveness, forgive others, and let go of past hurts—and you will experience the deep spiritual renewal that Ramadan is meant to bring.
Ramadan is not just a ritual—it is a homecoming. It is a reminder that our souls belong to Allah, and only through Him can we find peace. As we fast, pray, and seek His mercy, we are stepping back into our natural spiritual environment—the presence of our Creator.
Let us use this Ramadan to return to Allah with sincerity, to cleanse our hearts, and to elevate our fasting beyond the physical to the spiritual transformation that it is meant to be.
May Allah purify our hearts and make this Ramadan a means of complete forgiveness and peace. 🤲