Tiara Dwi Wulandari is a student of the Natural Science Education Study Program in the Integrated Science Department, class of 2020. She is currently active as the Head of Research and Development Department in the Forum of Muslim Students (FMI) at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UNNES.
Ramadan has arrived… Ramadan has arrived… Marhaban Ya Ramadan…
We have been living through the days of Ramadan for over a week now. Ramadan is one of the moments eagerly awaited by Muslims. In fact, some people engage in special activities to welcome this month. This is because Ramadan has virtues that are not found in other months. In the month of Ramadan, every act of worship will be rewarded more than in other months. Even good deeds are rewarded with multiplied rewards. “Whoever draws near to Allah during Ramadan with a good deed will be like one who performs an obligatory act in any other time. And whoever performs an obligatory act during Ramadan will be like one who performs seventy obligatory acts at any other time” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
In the month of Ramadan, a Muslim has the opportunity to return to good routines and receive blessings. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Indeed, there has come to you a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast during it. During this month, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained. There is a night in this month which is better than a thousand months” (Narrated by Ahmad, An-Nasa’i, and Baihaqi). The many virtues of the holy month of Ramadan have inspired FMI X Mushola Baitul Alim to organize exciting activities. Let’s take a look at the Philosophy of Ramadan this time… The Ramadan timeline began on March 31, 2022, with a Thematic Study on Ramadan Fasting Preparation. This study is open to all members of FMIPA.
After that, there are other study activities, such as MIPA study sessions held every Monday and Thursday before iftar. These study sessions will thoroughly discuss the month of Ramadan with interesting themes and are open to the public. There is also the FMI X GRADIKA (Mutiara Senja) activity that fills our leisure time in the late afternoon with study sessions. Equally exciting is the Tongkrongan Ramadan event held every weekend. This activity involves casual conversations open to the public, where the greatness of Ramadan is discussed with extraordinary speakers.
Fasting in Ramadan is the main characteristic of the month. For a whole month, Allah SWT commands His servants to observe the fasting of Ramadan, which is why Ramadan is also known as the month of fasting (syahrush shiyam). Fasting in Ramadan makes it special because it is an Islamic pillar that is not present in other months. Allah SWT says in the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah: 183:
يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْکُمُ الصِّيَا مُ کَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ ۙ
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
The “Kurir Kebaikan” event was held on April 17, 2022. This event provided packages for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking the fast) that included special menus to help individuals observe the fasting in the best way possible. Another agenda carried out during Ramadan is “MIPA Share Your Happiness.” In this activity, FMI will share smiles with orphans, which will be held on April 23, 2022.
Ramadan, the month of the Qur’an, Allah revealed the Qur’an as guidance for the Muslim ummah in this noble month. Allah multiplies the rewards for His servants who recite the Qur’an during Ramadan by tenfold. In a hadith narrated by Imam Tirmidhi, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Qur’an will receive one reward, and that one reward will be multiplied by ten.” Surely, we do not want to miss such a precious opportunity. Therefore, in this Ramadan Philosophy, a collective completion (khatam) of the Qur’an will be organized for the FMIPA community.
The arrival of Ramadan is a blessing and grace for those who are called His servants. We should be grateful as creatures who are still given the opportunity by Allah to meet this noble month. We never know what age limit we will reach in this world. It will be a regret if Ramadan passes by in vain while Allah no longer permits us to meet it in the following year.
Glorious Ramadan… Going through the days of Ramadan is part of a process. It is a journey of battling against one’s desires until reaching the blessed month of Shawwal, reborn in a purified state as a better individual. Ramadan is a long-awaited month, anticipated for its abundance of virtues. Filling the days of Ramadan with acts of goodness is a manifestation of gratitude as we live out the remaining years of our lives. With hope, may Allah connect our hearts with Ramadan, a sacred month full of grace and honor.
