THE last 20 minutes before Iftar are extremely nerve-racking on the roads when all are rushing toward their destinations and traffic is flowing from all directions. Like others I too was in a hurry when I came across a lethal accident. It was actually hair-raising to see a young man lying helplessly on the street fighting with his death with just two men around to attend him. His blood-soaked, wounded body and clothes shook me for more than a moment and provided me with some food for thought.

It wasn’t the first time I saw an accident, nor the last. In Ramadan, something that can be frequently noticed in the Kingdom is car accidents around Iftar time. But what was annoying was that a man was fighting his death, fully blood-stained, and there were just two men around. Police and ambulance had yet to arrive. All others were rushing to their destinations to have all those goodies waiting for them in Iftar.

The point is not about an injured man being alone on the road around Iftar time but about what are we learning from our ‘fasting’ in Ramadan. Ever since, a Muslim child starts understanding his/her religion, he/she is always fascinated by the month of Ramadan and fasting. He/she is told how and why a Muslim has to fast during Ramadan. First thing that is taught is that it is meant for self-training and self-restraint over our bad practices and lifestyle.

Among the top most objectives are sympathy, quitting our bad habits, charity, tolerance and spreading assistance and mutual help in society. We the Muslims, don’t eat and drink and abstain ourselves from many other activities from sunrise to sunset so that we can understand the pains of the have-nots.

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious/self-restraint." (Qur'an, 2:183)

Now, how can we judge ourselves in the light of the above example? Have we shown sympathy to a dying person? Were we patient enough to put on hold our programs for sometime and help the needy? Did we have a little time and kindness for charity? Or was there any sort of gesture of mutual help and assistance on our behalf?

So, talking broadly, I want to ask myself and readers: Are we making the most of our Ramadan? We don’t compromise on our lavish Iftars. We don't care for others nor do we do justice with other objectives of fasting. So, why are we fasting? Does Allah accept such hollow worship? We are only staying away from food and not reaching the real spirit of fasting.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink." (Al-Bukhari, 3/31, no. 127)

When we fast, our limbs and senses too must fast with us.

How?

Eyes: Keep your eyes off unlawful things and objects; spend this most precious gift of Allah in good cause and pious acts. For example: Read the Qur'an and Du'as of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Ears: Abstain from hearing unlawful gossip, lies, false statements, music and obscene conversations. Pay your attention towards Islamic lectures.

Tongue: Do not tell lies or useless tales; do not spread rumors or damaging gossips about other people; keep aloof from falsity. Use the power of speech in spreading the word of God; in creating goodwill in the society.

Hand: Do not inflict injury upon others by your actions; instead strive to help them as much as you can.

Feet: Do not go towards forbidden places. Do not run between people creating strife. Your movements should bring people together. Go to places where Allah is remembered.

And above all, your heart and mind must be with you in fasting. Because fast in its real sense, will not be complete unless your thoughts, your emotions, your actions – in short, all aspects of our life – become pure, clean and free from blemish. Spend more time in solitude making Du'a, seeking forgiveness, and doing Dhikr.

So are we doing what we should be doing during Ramadan, and after that too? Chew on it!