You are probably aware that Muslims have been celebrating their holy month, Ramadan, which ends shortly. “Ramadan” was the name of the ninth month in Arab world long before Islam emerged. It is considered special by Muslims because it is claimed that the first verses of the Qu’ran were revealed by God to Muhammad in this month. There is a particular night called “the night of power” some time in the last 10 days of Ramadan. This is said to be the holiest night of the year because it is the night when the first revelation came to Muhammad.
Fasting is the main feature of Ramadan, from the call to prayer at first light until the fourth prayer-time of the day at the setting of the sun. This involves no eating, drinking or sex. People in certain situations are exempt from the fast (but may need to make up the time later on) and it is not compulsory for children, though they are encouraged to practise for adulthood. Fasting is said to help the person to be less worldly and more focused on God.
Ramadan is the time when Muslims should try to be at their very best for God. It is supposed to be a time of heightened prayer. The reading of the whole Qu’ran is also encouraged. They are supposed to try harder to do good works during this month too. Extra effort is made by Muslims in Ramadan because extra blessing from God is on offer during this month. There is a greater return on effort. As it is described by some Christian workers in the Red Sea region:
In this month fasting, praying and kindness have extra merit, 100 or 1000 fold. On a secret and unknown night, called the ‘night of power’, the gates of Heaven are open and a good performance in this month can make up for the rest of the year. Dying in Ramadan also increased your chances of entering Paradise, especially as a martyr for Islam.
To Christians, this is all desperately sad. Is the true God so stingy as to only open the gates of heaven on one night of the year? Does he really to have a “bonus month” in which he makes it a bit easier for people to attain heaven? Do we have to be lucky enough to die on the right day to increase our chances of salvation?
According to the Bible, God is both compassionate and powerful. Therefore, since he wants people to be saved, he saves them. Not only has he left the door to heaven wide open, but he has come down into our world in his Son, paid for our sins himself, and has taken (and will take) us back through the door into his heavenly presence. There is no moral effort required on our part (even my best, multiplied by 1000, couldn’t be good enough for God), just simple dependence on the merits of the crucified Lord Jesus.
A Christian can still fast if they want to. Some say it helps them to focus on God (though that hasn’t been my experience!). But no person earns merit from God for their own efforts. If we don’t trust Jesus for our standing with God, we insult God. Let’s pray for our Muslim friends and neighbours.
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