As the final moments of Ramadan approach and the echoes of nightly prayers begin to fade, many Muslims find themselves asking: What have I truly gained from this sacred month?
For Ashraf Gangrekar, the answer lies not in the number of fasts completed or the quantity of charity given, but in the quiet transformation of the soul — in the way we treat one another, and in the promises we keep.
“If at the end of Ramadan we’ve achieved just some of this; that we are able to do things like keep our word, that we are able to come to the assistance of brothers and sisters in need and that we are able to give ourselves, and then to forgive others to invoke Allah’s forgiveness on us, then I think we’ve done incredibly well.”
These words, spoken with sincerity and conviction, cut to the heart of what Ramadan is meant to cultivate: integrity, compassion, selflessness, and mercy. It’s a reminder that the month of fasting is not an end in itself, but a means — a spiritual workshop that equips us with the tools to live more meaningfully and more righteously long after the crescent moon of Eid appears.
To “keep our word” is more than a moral obligation; it is a reflection of trustworthiness, a trait beloved by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). To “come to the assistance” of others is to embody the prophetic ethic of service. And to “give ourselves” — our time, our energy, our forgiveness — is to rise above ego and embody divine mercy.
Gangrekar’s reflection is not just an observation; it is a call to action. A challenge to carry the light of Ramadan with us throughout the year. A plea to let the lessons of the month echo in our homes, our communities, and our hearts.
Because if we’ve truly fasted — not just from food, but from selfishness, anger, and indifference — then the real feast begins now.
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