BY VICTORIA N. IKEANO
 
 victoriangozii@gmail.com 08033077519
 
 Eid Mubarak. Barka de Sallah. Eku Ileya. Happy Sallah. Happy Ileya.
These words have been ringing out this weekend  among Muslim faithful; from non Muslims to their Muslim associates, friends; from organisations/institutions to their clients/customers as millions world-wide mark end of the 29/30-day period of fasting in the Islamic/Lunar month of Ramadan that culminates in  the feast of Eid-el- Fitr. It is expected and indeed fitting that we should feast at the end of it be it only to congratulate ourselves for successfully completing the 29 days fasting. However, the feasting is of secondary importance, it is not the import of Ramadan.  Let us bear in mind that the essence of Ramadan is spiritual, the ultimate goal of which is to find the path that leads, step by step to the spiritual realm, that is, the Kingdom of God, paradise/heaven where there is eternal bliss.
 
  Consider that Ramadan is referred to as the holy month. Fittingly so because in this month we seek to pay more attention to our soul than our physical body as we lift our gaze upwards to the Almighty God, the source of all Life whose power sustains Creation and the creatures therein which includes human beings; we seek to understand the Will of God which is expressed in the laws of Creation cum laws of Nature. And most importantly, we endeavour to live according to these laws of Creation which bear the Will of God. These are the very first things that deserve our utmost attention, not just casually according to our whims and caprices. For, the Almighty is the support and purpose of our entire existence. If we all live accordingly in all ramifications, that is, in our thoughts, words and deeds, we shall bring about harmony and peace in our society.
 
 The fundament of the laws of Creation/laws of Nature which bear the Will of God, is Love and Justice. Essentially,  love in its true sense means doing only that which is of benefit to the other person, being selfless, not desiring to get the greatest advantage for ourselves only in any  association whatsoever with our fellow human beings whether political, social or economic. When we look around us we see that there is generally little or no true love among us, from the small family unit to state, national and international levels. Take for example conversations in any saloon, eatery or wherever human beings are gathered. They are majorly laced with coarse language, malicious talks. Rarely would you hear a noble chatter. Such would be from a pure heart that truly loves all peoples irrespective of race, tribe or creed. What about the production, sale of fake, adulterated and sub-standard goods by many of our citizens sometimes in cohort with  international ‘partners’ in crime.
 
  Maximisation of profits rather than making fair profits that is at least just to both entrepreneurs and consumers is the norm among large segments of our population. The rat race to acquire/have as much money, properties of diverse kinds has intensified amongst all classes of peoples, both poor and rich. And in this regard, the end justifies the means. It matters not for the majority, how these are gotten whether by fair or foul means.  There is little regard for how our actions and inactions negatively impact our fellow men/women. Thus for most of us, we are dead within with a dead conscience, we can no longer hear the small voice inside us, the voice of the spirit. In brief our world is suffused with distrust and hatred. The result is the disharmony we see all around us, leading to big and small wars of various forms at national, international levels raging on earth.
 
 From time immemorial the Creator had been sending prophets, teachers to mankind, their mission being to make mankind gradually recognise through their teachings the Will of God. They were to lead us step by step to all Truth. Among them were Laoshe (China), Bhudda (India) Mohammed (Arabia), etc, However, no sooner did these spiritual teachers pass on than human beings out of conceit began to dissect their teachings. Nonetheless, they still remain invaluable. The gatherings by way of lectures during Ramadan are essentially meant to help further understanding of Prophet Mohammed’s (PBOH) words. He/she who humbly and with an honest volition applies himself/herself to this endeavour would be guided to higher recognitions and clarifications. Thus Ramadan lectures should not be a once in a blue moon affair (undertaken only during the month of Ramadan). It should be a continuous exercise in the right direction. We should contemplate and reflect on the Will of God at all times, not least during our quiet moments. Thence, the essence of Ramadan as a holy month with its spiritual connotation is to make us devote our energy, by way of constant contemplations, to knowing the Will of God and to strive to live in accordance with it in everything we think, say and do.  In obeying His Will which is the same as obeying His laws or commandments, we shall imbibe true love for our fellow human beings no matter who they are, what kind of work they do and where they are, thereby fostering peace within our souls and in the world.    
 
In sharing food, drinks or meat with our neighbours in celebration of end of Ramadan, we are being taught one of the laws of creation which express the Will of God. It is the law of reciprocal action which is that it is only in giving that we can receive. If you want to reap kindness, give kindness. This law is evident in nature and our body as for example, it is only in breathing out that we can take in (breathe in) new fresh air. The giving however, whether by way of charity or other means should be done whole heartedly, solely on the basis of genuine love not for some ulterior purpose or with the calculation/expectation of some gain. Only thus can we reap eternal, lasting values from our giving. During fasting the magnetic gel that holds our soul and body together is loosened in the time being. Such loosening helps us to think less of earthly ephemeral things which are concerns of our earthly physical body and to look instead upwards to the heavens for spiritual values which are the concerns of the soul. Seeking spiritual knowledge is the crux of Ramadan.
Barka de Sallah.