Ramazan :

A month long spiritual journey

by Husna Inayathullah

Muslims around the world shifted gear to a slower, spiritual level on Friday, as they welcomed the blessed month of Ramazan and began the month long period of fasting.

One of the five pillars of Islam, fasting during this period is not simply about abstaining from food and water for 14 hours or so a day, but is a month long spiritual journey that helps purify the souls, refocus attention on God and practice self sacrifice.

The essence of fasting is aptly contained in the Arabic term Sawm, which literally means ‘to refrain’, not just from food and drink but in actions, thoughts, words and deeds as well.

Ramazan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and is significant also because it was during this month that the first revelation of the Quran was made to Prophet Mohammad. Fasting in the month of Ramazan was made obligatory during the month of Sha’aban in the second year after the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina. The month lasts for 29 to 30 days based on the sighting of the crescent moon.

The word Ramazan, also spelt Ramadan, comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims except for those who are ill, travelling, the elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. However, they are expected to make up for the missed fast days sometime in the future or help feed the poor.

While fasting from dawn to sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking and engaging in sexual intercourse. Muslims also refrain from other behaviour that could be perceived as sinful such as swearing, engaging in disagreements, backbiting and procrastination.

Suhoor and iftar

Two main meals are served during Ramazan, the suhoor, which is served before dawn and iftar which is served after sunset. Suhoor helps a Muslim to fast and stay active and fit throughout the day.

So, usually Muslims around the world take a heavy and a hearty meal for suhoor, with fruits, milk and dates. Muslims keep the intention to fast after suhoor before the sun rises or the morning prayers begin, which marks the end of the suhoor time.

Each day’s fast is broken with a meal known as ‘iftar’. Traditionally, the fast is broken with dates and water. Iftar is often an elaborate feasts celebrated with family and friends.

It is intriguing how Muslims all over the world sit cross-legged on the floor in mosques and at homes, waiting in hunger, fatigue and spirituality for the Azan, the call of prayers, to break their fast. Muslims can continue eating and drinking throughout the night until the next day’s suhoor.

Both of the suhoor and iftar meals contain fresh fruits, vegetables, halal meats, breads, cheese, and sweets. The Muslim world is large and is not constrained to the Middle East. There are Muslims worldwide in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The types of food served vary by region. The meals are served either at home with family, in the community mosques or other designated places within the Muslim community.

Charity becomes very much important especially during the Ramazan period. The Arabic term Zakath, which means ‘poor-rate’ is one of the pillars of Islam and it is obligatory upon all Muslims who have the means, to give a fixed percentage of their income/savings to the poor during this month.

Special Prayers

Tarawih prayers are extra prayers performed by Muslims at night during the month of Ramazan. They are not compulsory prayers but Muslims believe they can gain a lot of merit by observing these prayers, conducted at the mosque for the duration of Ramazan. Whole section of the Quran is recited during these prayers, ensuring that the entire Quran is completed when the month of fasting ends. Incidentally, tarawih prayers are one of the few exceptions where Muslim women are accommodated in the mosque.

The spiritual significance of the month reaches its pinnacle on the night of the 27th day of fasting, the night on which, Muslims believe the first revelation of the Quran was sent to Prophet Mohammed. Referred to as Laylatul Qadr, which means ‘the night of power’, it is considered the holiest night of the year.

There is some ambiguity about the exact night on the Quran was first revealed, with the Muslims believing it to have occurred on an odd numbered night during the last ten days of Ramazan.

But as a general consensus, the 27th night is accepted as spiritually special with a majority of the Muslims engage in spiritual activities throughout the night to receive the mercy of God.

Festival

Eid-ul-Fitr, which means ‘the festivity of breaking fast’ marks the end of Ramazan and the beginning of the next lunar month, known as shawwal. The first day of the month is declared after another crescent new moon is sighted. The Muslims are very excited to see the new moon to begin celebrating the festival. Eid al-Fitr is also the festive nature of having endured the month of fasting successfully and returning to the normal routine of everyday living. Muslims greet each other by saying Eid Mubarak.

Fasting is a good practice if properly observed and has many health benefits including helping promote healthy eating habits and boosting immunity. Fasting also helps promote detoxification, give some respite to digestive system, resolve inflammatory responses, reduce blood sugar, increase fat breakdown, correct high blood pressure, control diabetes, promote weight loss and overcome addictions.

Ramazan is…. A cross section of Muslims explain what this holy month means to them

More spiritual Uzilifa Jamaldeen – Housewife “As a mother I’m very happy to see the behaviour and the good practices of my children during this month. Children are more disciplined and they control themselves. I am happy to see children reciting the Quran, praying at the correct times and engaging in many more spiritual activities. The problems in the family vanish due to the blessings of Allah.”

Can earn lots of merit Naashir Nizar- Senior Executive “Allah has given everyone a chance to find forgiveness in the month of Ramazan. Fasting help us experience the hunger faced by the poor people and beggars. I always feel and realize how people suffer without food and water. Ramazan is the month where we can add lots of good deeds to ourselves. I feel lazy to wake up for suhoor, but I do wake up for fasting. No matter how much I eat for suhoor, I still feel hungry. What I do is keep reciting the Quran. When I fast, I feel hungry, but while fasting when I give someone Zakath from my hand and when they feel happy, it really fills my heart. I’m happy that I’m able to help someone.”

Cleanses the soul Razeen Aman – Consultant “I am happy to fast and Ramazan is a month I wait for. I love this month as it helps me to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God and put myself into selflessness. It is the month where the Holy Quran was revealed. There is a night called ‘Lailathul Qadr’, which wipes off a believing Muslim’s sins and I am eagerly waiting for that night. I want to achieve the blessings of Allah this Ramazan.”

Share the feel of hunger Althaf Ahamed – Sales Executive “We live 365 days in a year. During the month of Ramazan we fast for just 30 days to feel the hunger felt by the poor. Today, thousands of people die in the word due to hunger. God has blessed us with a better life and demanded us to feel the hunger of the poor for just a month. I am happy about it and I want to be honest and perfect in my fasting.”

We get closer to God Murshida Inayathullah – Teacher “I wait for the month of Ramazan eagerly as these 30 days keep us away from the materialistic world and bring us closer to Almighty Allah. We get closer to God, by moving away from the pleasures of the world. This definitely makes people calm and brings peace to one’s mind.”