YT28 WHAT 10 PERSONAL COMPETENCIES to take away from RAMADAN? - by Dr. Hany Atchan

Summary

In this insightful lecture, the speaker explores the top 10 personal competencies developed through observing the prescribed fasting of Ramadan. These include mastering self-restraint, embracing delayed gratification, discarding old habits, and deepening devotion to God and empathy for His creation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth, balancing physical and intangible experiences, practicing unobservable abstinence, generosity with wealth and time, and ultimately surrendering personal will to Allah’s commands. These competencies, when internalized, help transform the individual into a more disciplined, selfless, and spiritually aligned person throughout their life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The fasting during Ramadan helps in restraining carnal lust and teaches self-control over physical desires such as hunger and thirst.
• 😀 Ramadan encourages discarding useless notions and emptying oneself of past unhelpful habits, creating space for personal growth and learning.
• 😀 Delayed gratification is a key competency learned through fasting, helping individuals develop patience and the ability to wait for better rewards.
• 😀 Ramadan provides an opportunity for self-development, fostering new, determined habits that break old patterns and contribute to positive change.
• 😀 Through fasting, one learns devotion to God and empathy for all creatures, promoting a shift from self-centeredness to a focus on serving others.
• 😀 Ramadan teaches the harmonization of physical senses with the imperceptible reality, helping to balance material concerns with spiritual awareness.
• 😀 Fasting also instills the practice of unobservable abstinence, teaching individuals to avoid seeking validation and approval from others, focusing instead on pleasing God.
• 😀 Practicing generosity with wealth and possessions during Ramadan reminds individuals that all material wealth belongs to Allah (swt), and we are entrusted with it to help others.
• 😀 Ramadan encourages generosity with time, emphasizing the need to dedicate some of our time to serving others and helping those less fortunate.
• 😀 The most important competency gained during Ramadan is surrendering personal criteria for what is allowed or good, fully submitting one's will to the divine will of Allah (swt).

Q & A

What is the main purpose of fasting during Ramadan according to the script?

The main purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to develop personal competencies that lead to self-improvement and spiritual growth. These competencies include self-control, discipline, generosity, and the ability to balance physical and spiritual needs.

What does Imam Abu Hamed Al-Ghazali say about Ramadan?

Imam Abu Hamed Al-Ghazali describes Ramadan as the intersection of Shariah (the law) and Tarika (the spiritual path or discipline). This intersection allows for both physical and spiritual growth during the fasting period.

How does fasting help in restraining carnal desires?

Fasting during Ramadan teaches us to control physical urges such as hunger, thirst, and tiredness. By refraining from these physical needs, we practice overcoming our bodily instincts and learning self-discipline.

What does emptying useless legacy notions mean in the context of Ramadan?

Emptying useless legacy notions refers to shedding old habits, unhealthy practices, and unnecessary attachments. This 'emptying' makes room for spiritual growth, as it prepares the individual for positive changes and a better future.

What is the significance of delayed gratification in Ramadan?

Delayed gratification in Ramadan teaches patience and the ability to wait for greater rewards. It encourages individuals to appreciate that some solutions and benefits come with time, and that immediate satisfaction isn't always the best choice.

How does Ramadan influence self-development and discipline?

Ramadan is a time for individuals to break old habits and form new ones. It encourages self-discipline, commitment to personal growth, and the practice of new, healthier behaviors that last beyond the month of fasting.

What change in behavior should occur regarding empathy by the end of Ramadan?

By the end of Ramadan, individuals should shift from self-centeredness to empathy. They learn to serve others, both people and creatures, and develop a more selfless attitude, focusing on serving God and His creation.

What does the balance between physical senses and the imperceptible reality (Ghayb) refer to?

Balancing physical senses with the imperceptible reality (Ghayb) refers to appreciating not just the tangible world we can see, but also the unseen spiritual dimensions. Ramadan helps individuals develop this balance, cultivating a deeper understanding of the world beyond what is observable.

Why is unobservable abstinence an important lesson from Ramadan?

Unobservable abstinence teaches us to act with sincerity and humility, seeking neither approval nor validation from others. The focus shifts from external affirmation to seeking the pleasure of God alone.

How does Ramadan affect one's approach to wealth and possessions?

Ramadan encourages individuals to recognize that wealth and possessions ultimately belong to God. This understanding leads to greater generosity, as people share what they have, knowing that their wealth is a trust from God.

What role does time play in the personal development lessons of Ramadan?

Ramadan teaches the importance of giving time, not just wealth, to others. It emphasizes that time is a gift from God, and some of it should be dedicated to helping others, teaching, or contributing to their self-development.

What is the most important competency learned at the end of Ramadan?

The most important competency learned is the ability to surrender one's will and criteria for determining right and wrong to God's will. This means trusting in God's wisdom and submission to His decisions, even when they cannot be fully understood rationally.