Dr. Ramadan: We experience spiritual and intellectual hijra every day of fasting

Spiritual and intellectual hijra, abstaining from what is bad, a Muslim experiences every day, says Dr. Tarik Ramadan, in the 25th installment of Ramadan Chronicles, reports the BH news agency Patria (NAP).

- Yesterday we talked about the mosque as a spiritual, intellectual, and social center for Muslims, and their openness to spreading these messages, cooperation, and solidarity with other people. Just as we should follow the Prophet (pbuh) in this regard of cooperation with others, it is sometimes important to return to ourselves and our community – emphasizes Dr. Ramadan.

First, as he says, we need to start taking care of ourselves, in order to prepare for taking care of others. The exile of Muhammad (pbuh) from Mecca to Medina (Hijra) is precisely a way of protection, care, and elevation of man in general.

- In the Quranic surah "Muzzemil" there is a verse: "And be patient with what they say and avoid them in a suitable manner," where a suitable manner refers to a dignified manner, a manner that shows how noble you are, how good your character is. This would be one of the spiritual aspects of the exile from Mecca – he adds.

But, if you think about Islam a little better, you will realize that everything that has a physical dimension also has a spiritual dimension.

- Therefore, in addition to physically leaving an unfavorable and unsupportive environment, spiritual solitude with oneself and one's heart is also necessary. Avoiding sins and anything that could negatively affect us and our faith. We experience spiritual and intellectual hijra every day of fasting. Then we return to ourselves, observe and evaluate ourselves, take care of ourselves, so that we can also take care of others – he emphasizes.

But, that care, Dr. Ramadan notes, must never be mixed with arrogance and judgment, but with humility.

- We observe ourselves with humility and understand that the environment and society in which we live can destroy and thwart our experience of faith. Fasting in these days is a spiritual journey towards ourselves, it is our hijra. May Allah help us in this. Don't forget to tell those you love that you love them! – concludes Dr. Ramadan, reports NAP.