The intention of Islamic Sharia is not to create a “Ramadan” character that is at the peak of piety in this month exclusively, and then reverts to its old self once the month is over.
The aim is that these few days should be an intense training period that creates personalities that are pious in all things great and small in their lives, whether in the market, mosque, workplace, or while resting, angry or content.
The month of Ramadan, which we welcome with open arms, is not only an opportunity for spiritual cleansing but also a standalone education of many lessons and examples. The human soul is trained in charity, the most important of these lessons and most influential in improving the lot of this nation — an annual training for the people to restore the nation to its former leadership status and glory.
It is astonishing that the education can extend to impact behaviour after Ramadan, whereby benevolence becomes a habit and characteristic of one’s daily life. Psychologists confirm that a person is able to stop a bad habit and adopt a good one, if is not too taxing, in 21 consecutive days. So how about 30?
The meaning of benevolence is diligence in work, irrespective of how small or great, and completing it to perfection. Benevolence is also interacting with people to prevent harm and do good unto them.
Youssef Al-Siddiq adopted benevolence as his main characteristic and it became synonymous with his name throughout his life. The testimony of his two fellow prisoners states: “Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be of those who do good” in times of hardship and distress.
The same testimonies are given by his siblings who did not recognise him after he became surrounded with luxury and royal pomp, and said: “So take one of us in his stead; for we see thee to be of those who do good.”
Before all of this, God Almighty had endorsed him when he was a slave in the Palace of Aziz: “And when he attained his age of full strength, We granted him judgment and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.”
It is no wonder God sent him to the world to spread the message of benevolence: “And thus did We establish Youssef in the land, and We did so that We might also teach him the interpretation of things. And Allah has full power over His decree, but most men know it not ... ”
The writer is co-founder of Egypt’s Nour Party and serves as the party chairman’s assistant for media affairs.
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