Fasting - a time for reflection

By Naalir Jamaldeen

Ramazan is a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice observed by Muslims around the world. Ramazan retains its intense spiritual meaning which comes from the Arabic root word for 'parched thirst' and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. Ramazan is a time of sacrifice.

Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and thirst, and sympathises with those in the world who have little to eat every day.

Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognise that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him.

Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and goodwill toward others. Prophet Muhammad once said, "A man's wealth is never diminished by charity."

Through self-control, a Muslim practises good manners, good speech, and good habits.

Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish a more healthy lifestyle habits - particularly with regard to diet and smoking.

Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.

Ramazan is a special time for Muslims, but the feeling and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year. In the Qur'an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may 'learn self-restraint' (Qur'an 2:183). This restraint and devotion is especially felt during Ramazan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us during our 'day-to-day' lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramazan.

May Allah accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path. May He bless us during Ramazan, and throughout the year, with His forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and bring us all closer to Him and to each other.

Ramazan is a holy month in Islam. Muslims in Sri Lanka commenced fasting last week along with Muslims across the world. Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam and the Muslims will be fasting through this month until the sighting of the new moon. Fasting is compulsory on all Muslims who have attained puberty and is not compulsory to those suffering from serious illness or diseases. Ramazan is the greatest religious observance in Islam.

Fasting

Those who fast sacrifice, material needs including food and other substances and observe the fast.

According to Islamic principles a worldly life is unstable and is the harvest land of life after death. If one sows more and more in this world or do more and more good things they will reap the harvest of paradise. One cannot achieve this goal without sacrificing his life for the Almighty during his lifetime.

There are five principles in Islam that should be carried out when one is alive.

All these duties come in order such as the Kalimah (the belief in God and prophet Muhammad), five time prayer(Salah), Fasting during the month of Ramazan is the third principle.

Allah says in the Quran: "And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgement heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them)

This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding," (Al-Quran 9:34-35).

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It has been mentioned, along with daily Prayers (Salaat / Namaz), over seventy times in the Quran. Allah's word commanding "...and establish regular Salaat and give regular Zakat....." are referred to in many parts of the Quran. From this we can conclude that after Salaat, Zakat is the most important act in Islam. Just as Salaat is the most important act of worship which has to be performed bodily, so is Zakat the main act of worship which has to be performed monetarily. Those who fulfill this duty have been promised abundant reward in this world and hereafter.

Whoever evades Zakat has been sternly warned in the Quran and Hadith of the consequences. Linguistically, Zakat has two meanings: purification and growth.

Technically, it means to purify ones possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount to the poor, the indigent, the slaves or captives, and the wayfarer.

There are many major benefits of giving Zakat:

It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent according to His commands. Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently.

A Zakat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgement of gratitude. The receiver of Zakat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favour for which he is thankful to Allah.

Economically, Zakat is the best check against hoarding. Those who do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see their wealth dwindling year after year at the rate of the payable Zakat. This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of the poor.

Zakat is obligatory upon a person if: He or she is an adult, sane, free and Muslim. He/she must possess wealth in excess of specified minimum (Nisaab) excluding his or her personal needs (clothing, household furniture, utensils, cars etc. are termed article of personal needs).

It should be possessed for a complete lunar year. It should be of productive nature from which one can derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business, gold, silver, livestock etc.

This obligation is depending on financial strength.

The fifth is the final duty of Muslims and should be fulfilled by people who have enough wealth which was earned in righteous way. He or she should be able to look after his family by the time he or she is fulfilling this duty.

Fasting is a practical way of realising the hunger and thirst experienced by the poor. This will lead the wealthy people to do more and more charity towards the poverty stricken people in society. As such muslims consider Ramazan as the holy Month. Based on the needs, Islam has divided Ramazan month into three parts, each comprising 10 days. In the first phase those who are fasting will beg for blessings and in the second phase they will ask for pardon or forgiveness from Allah for previous sins. During the third phase they will unanimously beg Allah for the release from the abyss.

Fasting must be carried out perfectly without leaving room for unwanted temptation and feelings arising in the mind.

Scientifically fasting has been also accepted as a way to reduce diseases caused to the human body.

Healthy

Fasting must start before dawn and continue until the Azan for Maghrib prayers is called. If a Muslim is perfectly healthy he or she must compulsorily fast every year during Ramazan.

The Lailathul Qadr the night of power may fall on the 27th day of Ramazan and is the most important night in the whole month. But this night cannot be predicted by anyone because that day is hidden by Allah. There is a clue that it may fall on the odd numbered days in the third part of the month. Muslims must engage in performing more and more worship during the odd days from the 21st to the 29th of Ramazan. During this month special Tharaweeh and Withr prayers are held in the mosques across the country.

Sawm is the Arabic word which refers to fasting which means refraining from everything. The Arabians have trained their horses to resist hunger and thirst. This term relates to Ramazan.

Allah says that the Mumin (The Muslims who perfectly follow the preachings prophet Muhammad and Qur'an) who sacrificed eating and drinking which are most important for one to survive and other sensations for me so I am the gift for those sacrifice. A 10-fold merit will be granted by Allah if one commits a single merit.

There are two types of happiness for a Mumin who is fasting. The first one is when ending the fasting in the evening (Ifthar). At this time he feels a different kind of satisfaction. The second is the odour from the mouths of those who are fasting is more supreme than musk in the presence of Almighty Allah.

Human beings sacrifice their desires, aspirations, feelings, hunger and thirst to get close to Allah. During Ramazan it is said that the doors of heaven are opened. Al-Quran says that the fasting has been assigned to you as was to your ancients.

Ramazan is a form of restraint to evacuate unwanted passion from the mind.

The good qualities of compassion and dedication arise in the minds of Muslims during the fasting period.

He gets an opportunity to feel the grievances, sadness and hardship faced by the poverty stricken who face a daily struggle to meet their day-to-day needs.

The real goal of fasting is to convert the mind, body, thinking and soul towards the Almighty. This is possible by fasting.

The victory of fasting depends on controlling the mind and material desires.