The Only Way out Guide for Truth Seekers

THE ONLY WAY OUT 255
their own selves, in the society around them, and in the world
at large. To summarize all the moral and spiritual gifts of
Ramadan, one can say that Ramadan grants the gift of Taqwa.
Taqwa is the final resultant of worship, the highest of all
virtues in the Islamic scheme of things. It means, Godconsciousness,
piety, fear and awe of Allah; signifying
submission to Allah and sincere commitment to all that is
good and rejection of all that is evil (1) .
“O you who believe! Fasting has been decreed on you
as it was decreed on those before you so that you may
attain Taqwa” (2) .
[5] Hajj: A Universal Meeting:
The fifth pillar of Islam is Hajj (pilgrimage) to the land of
Makkah once in a lifetime. Hajj implies a journey to the
Creator. On this occasion, Muslims from around the world
stand humbly before the Creator, asking forgiveness, and
calling for His infinite mercy. When all pilgrims have a
common cause with one another through the unity of rites and
sites, they are made to experience a genuine state of
egalitarianism (3) , free from ―cultural chauvinism, racism, and
"the drive to feel superior to and distant from the Muslims all
around" (4) .
(1)
Siddiqi, M. H., 'Fasting in Ramadan: Lessons & Moralities'. @
www.Islamonline/English/Ramadan/Heart_Softening/Reflections//12.sh
tml accessed: 6-8-2009.
(2) Quran: 2: 183.
(3)
In this connection Toynbee wrote, "The extinction of race
consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding
achievements of Islam and in the contemporary world there is, as it
happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue". (A.J.
Toynbee, Civilization of Trial, New York, 1948, p.205).
(4) Lang, Jeffrey (1997) Even Angels Ask, Amana publications, United
States, p. 190.