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The holy month of Ramadan Kareem is a time of heightened spirituality, self-purification, and drawing nearer to the Divine. For Muslims worldwide, it is a period of fasting, prayer and introspection, imbued with a sense of sacred renewal. Throughout Islamic history, Sufi saints and mystics have embraced Ramadan as a profound opportunity for spiritual enlightenment, offering profound insights into its esoteric dimensions.
One such luminary was Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (R.A), the renowned 14th-century Sufi saint of Kashmir, whose teachings continue to resonate across the Kashmir Valley and beyond. In his verses, he extolled the virtues of Ramadan, urging devotees to embrace the month’s spiritual essence:
“O seeker, the blessed month of Ramadan has arrived,
A time to purify the heart, to unveil the Divine.”
At the heart of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din’s (R.A) teachings lies the concept of spiritual fasting, which transcends the physical act of abstaining from food and drink. He emphasized the importance of fasting from all that is displeasing to God, including negative thoughts, emotions, and actions. In his words, “The true fast is the fast of the soul, the abstinence from all that veils one from the Beloved.”
Sheikh Noor-ud-Din (R.A)’s teachings find resonance in the Quranic verse: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwa (God-consciousness)” (2:183). The Quran underscores the spiritual essence of fasting, which goes beyond the physical act and encompasses a state of mindfulness, humility, and righteousness.
Another revered Sufi saint of Kashmir, Sheikh Hamza Makhdoomi (R.A), echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of spiritual purification during Ramadan. In his poetic verses, he exhorted the faithful to cleanse their hearts and souls:
“Let the month of Ramadan be a time of renewal,
Purify the heart, for therein lies the eternal.”
Sheikh Hamza Makhdoomi (R.A)’s teachings drew inspiration from the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said, “Whoever does not give up false statements and acting upon them, Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink” (Bukhari). This hadith underscores the importance of aligning one’s thoughts, words, and actions with the principles of Islam during the sacred month of Ramadan.
The spiritual teachings of Sufi saints during Ramadan resonate with the rich tradition of Persian and Kashmiri poetry, which has long celebrated the divine mysteries and the yearning for spiritual union. The 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, revered in the Sufi tradition, penned these profound lines:
“The month of Ramadan has arrived, the month of fasting,
A time to transcend the self, to embrace the Beloved’s embrace.”
Rumi’s verses capture the essence of Ramadan as a journey towards spiritual transcendence, a time to shed the veils of the ego and attain union with the Divine.
Similarly, the Kashmiri Sufi poet Habba Khatoon, renowned for her devotional verses, expressed the longing for spiritual purification during Ramadan:
“In this sacred month, let my heart be cleansed,
Of all that veils me from the Beloved’s radiance.”
Habba Khatoon’s poetry resonates with the teachings of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din (R.A) and Makhdoom Sahib (R.A) and other Wali’s Of Allah echoing the call to purify the heart and attain spiritual enlightenment.
The teachings of these Sufi saints and mystics during Ramadan are rooted in the Quranic principles of taqwa (God-consciousness), sabr (patience), and shukr (gratitude). The Quran states, “And whoever is conscious of Allah, He will make a way out for him, and provide for him from sources he could never have imagined” (65:2-3). This verse encapsulates the essence of spiritual transformation during Ramadan, promising divine guidance and sustenance to those who cultivate God-consciousness.
Throughout history, Sufi saints have emphasized the importance of spiritual practices during Ramadan, such as zikr (remembrance of God), muraqabah (meditation), and spiritual gatherings (suhbat). These practices are designed to purify the heart, cultivate presence, and deepen one’s connection with the Divine.
The teachings of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din, Makhdoom Sahib (R.A.Aj), and other Sufi saints during Ramadan are a testament to the enduring wisdom of the Sufi tradition. They remind us that fasting is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual journey, an opportunity to purify the heart, transcend the ego, and draw closer to the Divine Beloved.
As the sacred month of Ramadan unfolds, may the teachings of these luminaries inspire us to embrace its spiritual essence, to fast with our hearts and souls, and to embark on a transformative journey towards self-purification and spiritual enlightenment.
ZAMAN NOOR
Author is a Suffi follower, Columnist & a Peace Activist.
can be reached at noor.penning@gmail.com
