Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calender (the Islamic calender follows the lunar cycles), and one of its holiest months, because it is the firm belief of Muslims that the first verses of Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H) by the angel Gabriel during this month.
During the month of Ramadan Muslims fast during the daylight hours which involves taking a pre-fast meal called sehri before the morning fajar prayers and the fast is broken at the evening prayer of Maghrib (that is sundown).; this meal is known as iftar. Muslims usually break the fast with dates and water and then offer their prayers, afterwards a more wholesome meal is eaten. They are no dietry restrictions other than the restrictions according to Islamic teachings.
We Muslims say Ramadan Mubarak (it literally translates to Happy Ramadan) because it is our belief that this a month of blessings and forgiveness granted to us by God. It is a training period for us a kind of yearly refresher course to strengthen our mind,body and soul, and allow us to develop the self control to steer clear of the deadly sins.
WHAT DOES FASTING INVOLVE?
During the daylight hours, eating, smoking drinking and sexual activity are prohibited while fast is being observed. Also Muslims are expected to refrain from indulging in violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, backbiting, in fact everyone must make an extra effort to refrain from committing any sins. Fast is broken at dusk with the Maghrib prayers, after which eating, drinking and sexual activity are permitted till the next morning.
FASTING AND SIN DO NOT GO TOGETHER:
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said
"Allah has no need for the hunger and thirst of the person who does restrain from telling lies and acting upon them even while observing fast"
During fast if one performs any of the prohibited acts, fasting is null and void; it is simply a hunger strike without any purpose.
PEOPLE EXEMPTED FROM FASTING:
- Children before onset of puberty. However, if puberty is delayed fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age.
- Soldiers on the battlefield*
- Travelers*
- Weak, elderly and sick people.
- Pregnant women if they feel it might endanger the child*
- Women who are breastfeeding their babies*
- Chronically ill people.
- Menstruating Women*
*Should fast an equivalent number of days in later months.
Ramadan fasting is relaxed for these groups based on the conditions. Upon Recovery, they must fast to compensate for the lost day of fasting Ramadan, day for day. If they choose they may fast during Ramadan but it is suggested that they opt for the relaxation
WHY FASTING?
The goal of fasting to develop self restraint
The Holy Quran states
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may develop taqwa"
Taqwa is an Arabic word which describes a state of heart that motivates virtuous conduct prevents evil actions.
ANNUAL TRAINING OF CHARACTER BUILDING:
Ramadan provides an annual refresher course, a reminder of how we should act, live our lives, and build our character through rest of the year.
DEVELOPING ETHICS:
CULTIVATING FEELINGS FOR THE POOR AND HUNGRY:
As one fasts the condition of hunger and the state of poor people is highlighted leading a fasting person to:
- Care and concern for the poor and hungry
- Develop a helping attitude towards the underprivileged
- Get involved with charity and donations
- Refrain from wasting food and drinks
- Sense of social responsibility
FASTING FOR GOOD HEALTH:
Fasting as per Islamic traditions since the time of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) 1400 years ago has many extra benefits for the health of an individual which are as follows:
- It promotes elimination of metabolic waste
- Helps keep your body's fat under control
- Helps detoxify the body
- It permits the rerouting and conversion of energy within the body.
- It clears and strengthens the mind
Speaking from personal experience I find it easier, to get fit during Ramadan then any other time of the year. 2 years back, I was overweight and during Ramadan combining exercise with my fasting I was able to loose 8 Kgs (or approx 18 lbs) to get back into the healthy range according to the BMI (Body Mass Index)
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT FASTING:
Fasting does not:
- cause stomach to atrophy
- paralyze the bowls
- deplete the blood
- reduce resistance to disease
- harm the teeth, nervous system, glands or the vital organs
- produce anemia
FASTING IN OTHER RELIGIONS:
Lent in christianity, Yom Kippu, Tisha B`av, Fast of the esther, Tzom Gedalia the Seventeenth of Tamuz and the Tenth of Tevet all in Judaism are also times of fasting. Like Muslims they refrain from drinking and eating unless they are children o are physically unable to fast. Fasting is also a feature of ascetic traditions in religions such as Hindusim and Buddhism.Although the fasting traditions may differ from religion to religion but the basic principles and goals remain the same.
EID-UL-FITAR:
The holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. It is a special celebration (kind of like Christmas is for Christians). Food is donated to the poor, everyone puts on their best, usually new clothes and communal prayers are held early in the morning, following by feasting and visiting relatives and friends.
CONCLUSION:
This post has been written for the purpose of reminding those who have forgetten what truly Ramadan is about, and to share with our fellow humans the Islamic tradition of fasting, to build bridges by getting to know the culture, traditions and religious festivals and holy months of each other.
I sincerely hope that this provides adequate inforamtion about fasting in Ramadan in the simplest way possible.
If any questions are there, feel free to ask in the comments and I will answer to the best of my abilities.
© 2010 posted by Mustafa Ali Khan Afreedi (DarkMystic)
