Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, is a time for heightened spirituality, self-discipline, and devotion for Muslims worldwide. The core purpose of fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink, but also cultivating piety, controlling desires, and purifying one’s actions and thoughts. We will read in this article about Can You Date during Ramadan?
Imam Ghazali (450-505 AH) was a great reformer, thinker and Sufi of Islam whose books “Ihya’ Ulum al-Din” and “Kimiya-e-Sa’adat” are the basic sources for spiritual training and inner reform. In the light of his thought, examining the issue of dating during Ramadan is very meaningful.
The reality of Ramadan:
To understand Can You Date During Ramadan? We must read this article completely. Ghazali writes in “Ihya’ Ulum”: “Fasting is not just about being hungry and thirsty, but it is a fast of all the organs. Fasting of the eyes, fast of the ears, fast of the tongue, fast of the hands and feet, and fast of the heart” (Ihya’ Ulum, Kitab Asrar al-Sawm). According to him, Ramadan is a month of self-training in which a person learns to control his desires.
In “Kimiya-e-Sa’adat” he says: “Fasting is half of patience, and patience is half of faith. The fasting person should avoid everything that harms the spiritual blessings of his fast.”
Dating: Nurturing sensual desires:
Can You Date during Ramadan? in Islam. In the chapters “Afat al-Lisan” and “Afat al-Shuwah” of “Ihya’ al-Ulum”, Imam Ghazali makes it clear that the greatest test of man is his sensual desires. He writes: “Lust is of two types: lust of the stomach and lust of the vagina. Fasting trains one to control both of them.”
Dating generally serves to stimulate these two desires. According to Ghazali, during Ramadan, a person should completely abstain from these desires, not give them more impetus.
Protection of the eye:
In “Ihya’ al-Ulum”, Imam Ghazali places special emphasis on the protection of the eye, writing: “The eye is one of the poisonous arrows of Satan. Whoever protects his eyes, Allah grants him the sweetness of faith.”
During Ramadan, when a person is in a special state of worship, the lapses of the eye destroy this spiritual state. It is almost impossible to protect one’s gaze while dating, which leads to the loss of the spiritual blessings of fasting. Can You Date during Ramadan?
Manners of Solitude and Prominence:
In “Alchemy of Happiness”, Imam Ghazali, while describing the manners of mixing between men and women, writes: “The solitude of a non-mahram man and woman is a trick of Satan. And even if there is no solitude, then even unloving conversation and glances create corruption in the heart.”
Dating usually involves this kind of solitude or semi-solitude, which according to Ghazali is undesirable not only during Ramadan but at any time.
The Value of Time and the Greatness of Ramadan:
Imam Ghazali writes in the chapter “Fadl al-Ramadan” of “Ihya’ al-Uloom”: “The reward of one hour of the nights of Ramadan is better than the worship of a thousand months. Then who would be wise who would spend these hours in blood and play?”
Dating usually causes a waste of precious time, while every moment of Ramadan is the best opportunity for worship and remembrance of Allah.
The Process of Purification of the Soul:
In “Al-Kimiyyah al-Sa’dah”, Imam Ghazali describes the stages of purification of the soul: “The first stage is the journey from the ego to the ego. Ramadan is the most effective means for this journey.”
Dating generally strengthens the ego, which is the opposite of purification of the soul.
Spiritual Effects:
According to Ghazali, every action has an inner effect. Dating creates human love instead of divine love in the heart, which is against the purpose of Ramadan. He writes: “If the heart is filled with worldly loves, there is no room for divine love in it.”
Spiritual Effects:
In “Ihya’ al-Uloom”, Ghazali says: “Since the soul is the one who commands evil, it must be reined in. Ramadan is a training ground for reining in.” Dating loosens this rein.
Social Impact:
Ghazali places great emphasis on social values. He writes: “The reform of society is achieved by the reform of individuals. If individuals deteriorate, society deteriorates.” Dating weakens the family system.
Alternative Path:
In “Al-Kimiya-e-Sa’adat”, Imam Ghazali presents marriage as a solution to sensual desires: “Marriage is the best means of purifying the soul, lowering the gaze, and keeping the heart content.”
He especially recommends repentance and turning to Allah during Ramadan: “Ramadan is the month of repentance. First repent of your sins, and then return to your Lord.”
Opinions of other scholars who agree with Ghazali’s position
Categories: Ramadan, Prayer, The Holy Quran
Imam Nawawi:
In “Riyadh al-Salihin”, Imam Nawawi, inspired by Ghazali’s thought, writes: “The fasting person should avoid every nonsense and falsehood. The unsanctioned relationship between a man and a woman is the greatest nonsense.”
Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlvi:
In “Hujjatullah Al-Balagha”, Shah Sahib writes: “Ramadan is the month of purification. Dating pollutes the soul, it does not purify it.”
Conclusion:
In the light of Imam Ghazali’s thought, it becomes clear that dating during Ramadan is not only undesirable but also a waste of the spiritual blessings of fasting. According to Ghazali, the real blessing of Ramadan is that a person learns to control his soul, not to give it more freedom.
Dating serves to fuel sensual desires, which is completely opposite to the objectives of Ramadan. We have learnt about the topic Can You Date during Ramadan?
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to understand the true spirit of Ramadan and live according to it by following the teachings of Imam Ghazali.
Dear brothers and sisters,
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