Ramadan is an opportunity to return to our consciousness and discover our true potential as human beings. Taking a break from our daily routines allows us to become more aware of ourselves, where we come from, where we are now and where we're going.

Through self-awareness we can reach higher levels of consciousness and become witnesses of God. Anyone who recognizes themselves will undoubtedly recognize their God.

In the Quran it is stated that God brought forth the Children of Adam and made them testify to themselves that He is their Lord, so that they may not say on the Day of Resurrection that they were unaware of Him.

Tauhid ar-Rububiyah is a natural characteristic of all humans. We all have a God-spot in our minds and have witnessed our Lord in our previous life, agreeing that Allah is our Lord before we deviated from the straight path.

When asked who created the heavens and the earth even the farthest disbeliever would say "Allah". In situations of extreme danger even atheists tend to become God-conscious. However, many of them return to their previous state of unawareness once the threat is gone.

According to the Quran, the belief in one God is the nature of all creatures, the state of equilibrium. The concept of atheism is considered illogical because it contradicts the vivid experiences of every single creature in their previous life.

Tauhid ar-Rububiyah is just the starting point for becoming a true believer in Islamic monotheism. It is only one aspect of Tauhid, which also includes the oneness of the worship of Allah, Tauhid al-Uluhiyah and the oneness of the names and qualities of Allah, Tauhid al-Asma' wa Sifah.

The universe follows the system set up by their single Creator, Allah Almighty.

No creature departs from the unaltered way of Allah (Sunatullah). "Such is the way of Allah that has passed before, and you will not find any change in the way of Allah" (QS. Al-Ahzab (33): 62).

Those who flee the land in arrogance and plot evil only ensnare themselves. What can they expect but the sunnah (way of dealing) of the peoples of old? Thus, you will find no deviation in Allah's sunnah (QS. Al-Fathir (35): 43).

To follow the way of Allah is the nature of all creatures. Our physical bodies, like all others in the universe, follow Allah's way of dealing. Our physical bodies are Muslim by nature, but our spirits do not always agree with Allah's way of dealing. When they are not in harmony, we become a split entity. A disbeliever is a fragmented person; its physical body follows the way of Allah, while its spirit follows another system.

Allah has created us perfectly and provided all the necessary faculties to make smart choices. As human beings, we have the freedom to choose.

However, there are consequences to every choice. We are responsible for our lives. "By the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it with discernment of its wickedness and righteousness" (QS. Ash-Shams (91):7-8).

Islam is total submission to Allah's desire, which should be strived for with vivid knowledge, self-awareness, conscious thought and independent will. "There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong" (QS. Al-Baqarah (2): 256).

A newborn is in a state of purity. It should not bear any consequences or responsibilities for actions it did not commit. In Islam's view, no sin is inherited, which is a privilege.

A baby is like a blank slate. Its parents decide what to write on it and shape its future. The main function of fasting is to purify Muslims from within, as other aspects of Shariah purify them from without.

Idul Fitri is a special time for us to reconnect with our roots. Islam recognizes the importance of family institutions and places great emphasis on respecting our roots.

Our parents, especially our mothers, are considered to be the means through which Allah dispenses His Mercy. They reflect a little light that is spread unlimited by Allah, Light upon Light.

The teachings of Islam underline the importance of respect and care for parents and the central role of the family in the Islamic system. The Islamic family system brings a fine equilibrium between the rights of spouses, children and relatives. It nurtures human unselfishness, generosity and love in a well-organized family system.

In our culture, the tradition of mudik (returning home) symbolizes our human need and efforts to retrieve our roots. Idul Fitri is a great opportunity to reconnect with our family roots and prevent us from becoming a rootless generation.

To love the place where we were born and grew up is a natural part of humanity. The city of Mecca holds a special place in the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad.

His departure from Mecca after being marginalized and isolated, and his return to the city after the hijrah (transformation) during his first pilgrimage, reflect his awareness of his roots.

However, his love for Mecca is not separate from the values of Islamic monotheism, the way of Allah. Placing our love for our native country in the right place is a part of our faith.

As Ramadan is drawing to a close, it is time to turn a new page in our book of life and record something more valuable. May Allah guide us as we return to our daily routines and the real world, with greater performance and experience in the next Ramadan.

 ***

The writer is an associate professor at the University of Indonesia and chairman of the Prosperity Council of Al-Furqan Muhammadiyah Mosque, Bogor, West Java.

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