Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr:

Ramazan, the month of charity

By Naalir Jamaldeen

Muslims in Sri Lanka and the world over will celebrate Eid ul-Fitr on the sighting of the new moon in the Western horizon. Ramazan is the month of charity. One practically becomes aware of hunger which the poor people experience in their day-to-day life.

Ramazan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, and is a month of fasting for Muslims. Because the cycle of the lunar calendar does not match the solar calendar (Gregorian calendar), the Ramazan month may differ year to year. Officially, the Ramazan month begins with the sighting of the new moon in the Western horizon and concludes with the sighting of the new moon in the same direction.

This has historically been a bone of contention as the timing of the moon’s visibility may vary by location, but the start and end dates are now generally agreed upon, based on modern understanding of the lunar calendar.

Lailathul Qadr is the holiest day in Ramazan. Muslims believe that the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad on this day. The observance of Ramazan is also mandated in the second chapter of the Qur’an, verses 183-185: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous”.

Break fast

The practice of Sawm (fasting) is one of the five pillars of Islam, and calls upon people to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse. Each evening, Muslims break fast at sundown with Iftar. All Muslims are expected to observe the fast on reaching the age of puberty.

By eliminating material desires, one can focus on devotion and service to Allah. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purify themselves of impure thoughts and motivation such as anger, cursing, backbiting and greed. As part of this ritual, service to the community and to those in need is a major activity throughout the month.

Hunger is the worst experience in one’s life. It is the bounden duty of the rich and those who have enough wealth to appease the hunger of the poor. Islam gives a valuable message to Muslims through fasting about hunger and starvation.

According to Islamic principles, worldly life is unstable and it is a harvest land for life after death. If one sows more on this earth, one can harvest more in Jennathul Firdhouse (most luxurious heaven). One cannot achieve this goal without sacrificing one’s life for the Almighty during one’s lifetime.

Fasting is a practical way of experiencing the hunger and thirst felt by the poor. This will lead the rich to do more charity towards the poor.

Based on certain elements, Islam has divided Ramazan into three parts, each comprising 10 days. In the first phase, Muslims will fast, begging for blessings and in the second phase, they fast asking for pardon from Allah for their previous sins. During the third phase, Muslims beg of Allah to release them from the abyss of hell.

Most important night

The Lailathul Qadr night, which falls within the last 10 days, on the odd numbered days, is the most important night in the whole month. However, this night cannot be predicted as it is not clearly designated. Muslims could earn more merit on the odd numbered days from the 21st to the 29th during Ramazan.

Allah says that the “Mumin (Muslim) who sacrifices eating and drinking which are important for survival, and other sensations, for me will get a reward for those sacrifices.” Unlimited merit will be bestowed by Allah if the fast is observed properly. As regards fasting, Allah says, “As it is for me I will reward it.”

There are two types of happiness for a Mumin who is fasting. The first is when ending the fasting in the evening (Iftar). At this time, he feels a different kind of happiness. The second is that the smell emanating from the mouths of those who are fasting is supreme than musk in the presence of the Almighty.

During Ramazan, the doors of heaven are open. The doors of the abyss are shut. Satan will also be tied up. Al-Qur’an states, “The fasting has been assigned to you as was to your ancestors.”

Remembering the poor

Ramazan dispels unwanted passions from the mind. Fasting makes one perfect in the manner to follow the Sharia (Islamic law) properly.

Fasting leads to thousands of good qualities in the minds of Muslims. Qualities of compassion and dedication arise in their minds.

One gets an opportunity to experience the grievances, sadness and the hardship faced by the poverty-stricken, not having enough to fill their stomachs daily as well as their day-to-day needs. The real goal of fasting is to turn the mind, body, thinking and soul towards the Almighty. This is possible only through fasting.

During Ramazan, mankind comes closer to the Al-Qur’an than in other months.

When the last phase of Ramazan approaches, Prophet Muhammad (Sal) will be engaged in doing meritorious deeds and also insists that family members be involved in acquiring merit.

The victory of fasting depends on the controlling of the mind and material desires. Eating is a must, but it is not life’s only goal. However, people spend most of their time eating and drinking.

Fasting is difficult for some. They think that they cannot pass the day without partaking in any food and waste time. A number of interesting customs centering around the fast of Ramazan has evolved among local Muslims. Though not necessarily religious in character, they seem to have become an integral part of local traditions.