Ramadan offers devotees the spiritual opportunity to purify their souls through fasting and charity and it brings to the fore the spiritual austerity in Islam and its philanthropic humanism, writes Shabiha Nur Khatoon
Every year the holy month of Ramadan arrives leading to feasting and the spiritual thought of unity and brotherhood and equality of all mankind before God. During Ramadan, Muslims across the world keep themselves away from every kind of enjoyment during the daytime, offering prayers. Most importantly, Ramadan is an act of ‘ibadat’ (worship), the fulfillment of Allah’s commandments and one of the great mercies of Allah to His believers for both this world and the next.
Ramadan also known as Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and it is also called the blessed month which is observed by Muslims worldwide as the month of fasting.
The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ‘ramida’ or ‘ar-ramad’ which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims, except those suffering from illness, travelling, or the elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or those experiencing menstrual bleeding.
The holy month is marked by daily fasting from dawn to dusk, increased observance and self-reflection. Fasting gives the feeling of hunger and thirst. When devotees experience what it is like to have an empty stomach they develop a feeling for the poor and hungry and reach out to them. Fasting teaches people to have control over the comforts of life. Ramadan is the month during which the Qur’an, the most sacred book of Islam, was revealed, providing guidance to people on religion and morality. It is said that the sacred knowledge was revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. It is a period of austerity and for Muslims worldwide it is a special time for introspection, meditation, self-control, charity and, of course, devotion.
‘SAWM’ OR FASTING
‘Sawm’ means a fast that begins at dawn and ends with sunset. Muslims rise before dawn, eat Suhur or Sehri (pre-dawn meal) and drink enough liquid for the preparation of Sawm. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr. Eating and drinking stops at dawn. During the day no eating, drinking or sexual activity is allowed. In addition, a Muslim must adhere to the moral code of Islam very strictly as failure violates the requirements of fasting.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the deeds of worship required of all Muslims who have attained puberty. Women who are having their menstrual periods or those who have not fully recovered from childbirth, postpone the fast until they are completely out of their special condition. In addition, those who are ill or are travelling may choose to postpone their fast.
At sunset, families hasten for the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar. In the evening, dates are usually the first food to break the fast; according to tradition, Prophet Muhammad broke His fast with three dates. Following that, Muslims generally adjourn for the Magrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served. This is followed by the Magrib salah (after-sunset prayer) which is followed by a complete meal. After a brief rest, Muslims go to the mosque to offer the Isha salah (night prayer) and then a special night prayer called Tarawih.
Tarawih
When the month of Ramadan begins, Muslims enter into a period of discipline and worship: fasting during the day and praying throughout the day and night. During Ramadan, special evening prayers are conducted during which long portions of the Qur’an are recited. These special prayers are known as tarawih.
The word tarawih comes from Arabic meaning to rest and relax. The prayer can be very long (well over an hour), during which one stands upright to read from the Qur’an and performs many cycles of movements (standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting).
After each cycle one sits for a brief period of rest before continuing – this is where the name tarawih (“rest prayer”) comes from.
During the standing portion of the prayer, long sections of the Qur’an are read. It is recommended that Muslims attend the tarawih prayers in the mosque (after isha, the last evening prayer) to pray in congregation. This is true for both men and women. However, one may also perform the prayers individually at home. These prayers are voluntary, but are strongly recommended and widely practiced.
Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. ‘Zakat’, often translated as “the poor-rate”, is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam; a fixed percentage of the person’s savings is required to be given to the poor. Sadaqah is voluntary charity in giving above and beyond what is required from the obligation of zakat. In Islam, all good deeds are more handsomely rewarded during Ramadan than in any other month of the year. Consequently, many will choose this time to give a larger portion, if not all, of the zakat that they are obligated to give. In addition, many will also use this time to give a larger portion of sadaqah in order to maximise the reward that will await them at the Last Judgment.
VIRTUES OF RAMADAN
Hellfire is locked and the gates of Paradise are opened…
Prophet Muhammad said: “All praise is for Allah who out of His infinite Mercy locks the gates of Hell, chains and shackles the devils and opens up the gates of Paradise” making it easier for devotees to devote this special time for worship. It makes it harder for the evil influence to corrupt the people as they usually do because the Muslims will be occupied with fasting, engaged in reading the Qur’an, busy with extra prayers and in doing other righteous actions which help clean and purify their hearts.
Sins are forgiven
The Prophet explained to his Ummah that Ramadan has such a high station that even if a Muslim’s sins were as much as the foam upon the sea, they would be forgiven through fasting in this month.
Laylat al-Qadr
“Laylat al-Qadr”, a night of the month, is symbolically regarded as the same night on which the holy knowledge was gifted to Prophet Muhammad and mankind. The followers of Islam consider Laylat al-Qadr as the “Night of the Power”, the holiest night of the year. As a mark of respect to Allah and to show gratitude to him for the true knowledge that he gifted to his sons and daughters, the Prophet asked his followers to pass the month of Ramadan in fasting, prayers and other austerities and end the month-long non-indulgence with festive celebrations.
The virtue of this blessed month is that in it falls the night that is better than a thousand months, the angels descend and all the sins of devotees are forgiven. This is the Night of Decree – Laylat al-Qadr.
VIRTUES OF FASTING
Fasting as a shield
Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the fire as it weakens and cuts off desires and since desires lead to the fire it can be seen how fasting is a shield between the person and the fire which acts as a protection, as a barrier. It safeguards one from indulging in foul speech, quarrels and fights. It also develops the habit of self-control and restraint.
Cause for Entering Paradise
Since fasting distances one from the fire, it brings one closer to Paradise.
An Intercession
Another great virtue of fasting is that it acts as an intercessor with Allah on the Day of Judgement – a day when we will be in need of intercession.
Sunday POST spoke to a few devotees on their thoughts and activities during the holy month. What follows are snatches from interviews…
Talat Jahan Begum, who hails from Koraput, says the excitement level is always at its peak when Ramadan is around the corner. “I thanked Allah, the Almighty that this time also he has given me the opportunity to fast through the holy month. Ramadan is a month of ibadat and a month of reawakening and reconnecting with our inner selves and with Allah. It is in this blessed month that we try varieties of items for iftar. During Ramadan, Muslims work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold iftar dinners for the less fortunate. Many Muslims use Ramadan to read the entire Qur’an or at least read it daily,” she says.
MA Ahad from Satya Nagar in Bhubaneswar says, “Ramadan is among the five pillars of Islam. Fasting and focusing on prayer and charity during Ramadan is meant to purify the body and spirit and bring the faithful closer to God.”
He also stresses the most important motive of fasting: “We should think of others who are less fortunate than us during Ramadan. Not everyone has a wonderful life. It is a month of celebration but devotees should stop a moment and think of those who are less fortunate than us by following the sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad.”
THINGS TO AVOID
Don’t sleep during the day and pray all night. By doing this you are converting the day into night and the night into day, which is not the purpose of fasting. Avoid being lazy and inactive during the day.
Don’t waste time playing games or watching TV during the day. Rather, please Allah by increasing your worship of him.
Spend the last 10 days worshipping Allah rather than trying to prepare for Eid! A day that is better than a thousand months is in these last 10 days. You can’t afford to miss this.
Avoid shopping a lot during Ramadan.
Don’t eat the entire night.