JUNE 5 — There is something about the month of Ramadan that makes me both happy and sad.

I am happy with the fact that during the month of Ramadan, more Muslims engage in charity, especially sharing of food with the poor. Muslims also seem to be more conscious of their spiritual nature probably due to the fact that they have vowed the night before that they are performing the religious ritual of fasting for Allah.

I am happy with the fact that many of my Muslim friends and relatives make more time to read the Quran during Ramadan. I wish they would try to understand what they read and reflect on how the Quran relates to their daily living instead of reading it in a purely "religious manner.”

Ramadan, indeed, is a month that should make every Muslim reflect on what "Islam” really is and what does being a "Muslim” entail. After all, every Muslim is taught that the Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan and that it is a mercy to humankind.

It is also a month that reminds Muslims that Allah is indeed most compassionate and most loving.

It is a habit since childhood that before I eat or do anything, I utter the phrase "In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, Most Loving” in Arabic. This is a constant reminder to me that while I hope that Allah will have mercy on my weakness and forgive my sins, I have to be equally forgiving and compassionate to my fellow human beings.

Ramadan, to me, is a good month to reinforce this mindset.

As a Muslim, I learned that charity and doing good deeds are one of the ways by which I can "get closer” to Allah. Surely, I will have to share with the rest of the world the compassion and love that Allah has showered on me.

Ramadan is a month to evaluate how much of compassion and love we have shared with others. "Charity”, as I understand from the Quran, is not confined to money alone but includes anything extra that we are capable of giving others.

For instance, we make an extra effort in our respective occupations or roles to lessen the burden of those who require our services or even a simple, sincere smile that can cool the hearts of others.

It makes me happy that during the month of Ramadan, Muslims of diverse ethnicities and nationalities express unity in a common religious ritual. My wish here is that they also reflect on whether or not they remain united in other aspects of life despite any differences in the interpretation of "Islam” they may have.

It makes me sad that a group of human beings who believe that Allah is all supreme can be intolerant of differing views from another believer to the extent of calling him a heretic or being aggressive to him.

Muslims break fast at Dataran Merdeka June 3, 2017. The writer says Ramadan should be when Muslims strive to be ‘the best of community.’ — Picture by Firdaus Latif

As a Muslim, I believe that it is Allah who will ultimately settle any differences of expressing faith that human beings may have. Hence, it is my hope that the terawih prayers will also foster love and unity among the Muslims and not become just another religious ritual devoid of impact.

Hopefully, this Ramadan will remind Muslims that any sectarian egoism is an obstacle to being united by holding on to the "rope of Allah”.

Perhaps, Ramadan is also an excellent month to reflect whether the Muslim community has evolved into ummatin khayra or best of community as mentioned in the Quran (Surah Al Imran verse 110). I am sure it is not enough for Muslims to claim that they are the best of people if we do not exhibit behaviour that makes the world better for everyone including themselves.

While I believe that I am a soul walking temporarily on earth and the hereafter is the ultimate goal, the question remains whether I have been useful on earth or not. How can I claim to be a good Muslim if I am useless to everyone?

Hopefully, in Ramadan, we learn to walk the talk instead of being contented with self-righteous sense of piety. The opportunities that Allah has given for Muslims to serve Him by serving humanity are plenty.

Any Muslim who understands the Quran know that the most odious in the sight of Allah are those who say things that they do not do (Surah As Saff verse 3). Hence, we have to walk the talk to the best of our ability.

I believe the abstinence from food and drinks may give rise to a feeling of humility and serenity for those who allow this to happen. Humility is an important element to remind us of our mortality, fragility and ever present ignorant state (however learned we may delude ourselves to be).

I believe this state of mind and heart will inspire us to be as useful as we can to the world and to ourselves in every aspect of life. If this can happen, then maybe, the world will say that Muslims are indeed the best of people evolved for mankind.

Have a blessed Ramadan.

* Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos is a senior lawyer and founder of Rapera, a movement which encourages thinking and compassionate citizens. He can be reached at rapera.jay@gmail.com.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.