Obviously the reason we fast during the month of Ramadan is to increase our taqwa (2:183), consciousness, and awareness, but here is another way to think about taqwa… 

Have you ever been dreaming and then realized that you were dreaming? Well that too is taqwa.

And one reason lucid dreaming is a good way to relate to tawqa is that “this life” and ” a dream” are both merely a perceived reality (3:185), while the life of the next is in fact “reality” (6:32, 57:20). For example…

You’re terrified, your heart is racing, sweat is pouring.  The intense fear of death has overcome you, you feel like yelling, crying, hiding, and then suddenly, it is ok, you realize, it is just a dream (or keeping with the analogy, it is just the life of this world).  Relief takes over because its only a dream, and we begin to think and behave differently when we realize that things are not as “real” as they seem. When that inkling comes to your mind that it is not real, your whole outlook changes. 

And like this, when we experience terrifying challenges, if have taqwa, we feel the way we felt in that dream. And how do you feel when you realize you are dreaming? We feel relieved, grateful, focused, stress-free, in-control, fearless, ambitious, and happy, and we are also amused (6:32) that we were distressed over a mere dream. We behave ourselves (usually) but we enjoy ourselves; we feel like we are playing (6:32) No matter what unbelievably challenging thing happens to us in our dream, as long as we thikr (2:46)or remember that it is only a dream, everything will be fine. And although we are in no rush to wake up, when we do, everything will still be fine, or in the case of waking up to paradise, better.

But it takes Ramadan and taqwa to realize this (2:183).

What do you think? Post a comment.

Verses Referenced

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you might increase consciousness and awareness.” 2:183.

“Every soul will have a taste of death. And only on the Day of Accountability will you be paid your full reward. Only he who is saved from the fire and admitted to the garden, will have attained the object of life, for the life of the present is but stuff of illusion.” 3:185

“What is the life of the present but play and amusement? Best is the home in the hereafter, for those who are righteous. Will you not then understand?” 6:32

“Know that the life of the present is but play and entertainment, pomp and boasting, and increasing for yourselves, wealth and children. Here is a similitude, the rain and the growth which it brings forth pleases the hearts of those who plant it, soon it withers, and you will see it grow yellow, then it becomes dry and crumbles away, but in the hereafter is a penalty severe, and forgiveness from God and His grace, and what is the life of the present but stuff of illusion?” 57:20