2008 August « sasthamcotta.com

Welcome to a celebration of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Observed by more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time for spiritual purification achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.

Celebrated during the ninth month of Islamic calendar, the fast is observed each day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam. The Islamic belief that requires that Muslims perform five central duties in order to strengthen their faith. While Islam has two major sects, the Sunnis and the Shiites, all Muslims aim to realize these five pillars in their lifetime.

Ramadan concludes with a 3-day festival known as “Eid” or “Eid ul-Fitr,” which literally means “the feast of the breaking/to break the fast.” The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits — essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for “fasting” (sawm) literally means “to refrain” – and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person’s body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one’s self on the worship of God.

Observing the Fast of Ramadan

The fast of Ramadan has both spiritual significance and physical effects. In addition to the basic requirements of the fast, there are additional and recommended practices in order to gain the most benefit from the experience.

Fasting Requirements

For the Muslim, the fast of Ramadan has specific regulations and rules (fiqh). Islamic scholars have outlined the fasting requirements for the general population, and explain the accommodations that can be made when someone is unable to fast because of sickness or other health reasons.

Helping Others During Ramadan
The Ramadan Spirit
Taraweeh Prayers
Leyla al-Qadr

During the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims seek and observe the Night of Power (Leyla al-Qadr). The Qur’an describes this night in a chapter named for it:

Surah (Chapter) 97

Al-Qadr (The Night of Power)

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

We have indeed revealed this message in the Night of Power.
And what will explain what the Night of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
Therein come down the angels and the spirit, by Allah’s permission, on every errand.
Peace! Until the rising of the morn!

Tradition holds that the Night of Power is the night that the first revelation of the Qur’an was sent down to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims are instructed to “seek” the Night of Power during the last ten days of Ramadan, particularly on the odd nights (ie. the 23rd, 25th and 27th). It is reported that the Prophet said: “Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr, fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Muslims worldwide spend the last ten nights of Ramadan in solid devotion, retreating to the mosque to read Qur’an (i’tikaf), reciting special supplications (du’a), and reflecting on the meaning of Allah’s message to us. It is believed to be a time of intense spirituality, when the believers are surrounded by angels, the gates of heaven are open, and God’s blessings and mercy are abundant.

The whole month of Ramadan is a time of renewal and reflection. As the month winds to a close, we pray that the spirit of Ramadan, and the lessons learned during it, last for all of us throughout the year.

Special Populations During Ramadan

The Ramadan fast is vigorous, and there are special rules for those who may find it physically difficult to participate in the fast.

Health & Safety Issues in Ramadan

The fast of Ramadan is rigorous, and the Qur’an indicates that those who are ill, pregnant, nursing, or elderly do not have to fast. Always consult with your doctor about the safety of fasting in your situation and health. The links below do not constitute medical advice; please check with your doctor.

Health Guidelines for Ramadan
Advice for staying healthy during Ramadan.

Medical Aspects of Islamic Fasting
The physiology of fasting, an outline of research done on the effects of fasting, and an explanation of how Islamic fasting differs from other harmful fasts. Includes guidelines for patients to follow when fasting. By Shahid Athar, M.D.

International Journal of Ramadan Fasting Research
Academic journal of research done on the health aspects of Islamic fasting. Several online articles included.

Diabetes
Important information for diabetics to consider when deciding whether or not to fast. Includes a “selected reading” list for further research into fasting and health issues.

Pregnancy/Nursing
This advice for pregnant or nursing mothers is short but sweet.

Children Fasting in Ramadan?

Muslim children are not required to fast until they reach the age of maturity (puberty). However, in many families, younger children enjoy participating and are encouraged to practice their fasting. It is common for a younger child to fast for part of a day, or for one day on the weekend, especially in the shorter winter months. This way, they enjoy the “grown-up” feeling that they are participating in the special events of the family and community.It is also common for children to participate in Ramadan in other ways, aside from the daily fast. They may collect coins or money to donate to the needy, help cook meals for breaking the day’s fast, or read Qur’an with the family in the evening.

At the end of Ramadan, children are often indulged with gifts of sweets and money on the day of Eid al-Fitr.

Reading During Ramadan

The first verses of the Qu’ran were revealed during the month of Ramadan, and the very first word was: “Read!” During the month of Ramadan, as well as other times during the year, Muslims are encouraged to read and reflect on God’s guidance.

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr

Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fiṭr means “to break the fast” (and can also mean “nature”, from the word “fitrah”) and so symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period.

Eid ul-Fitr starts the day after Ramadan ends, and is verified by the sighting of the new moon. Muslims give money to the poor and wear their best clothes. Eid ul-Fitr lasts three days and is called “The Smaller Eid” (Arabic: العيد الصغير al-‘īdu ṣ-ṣaghīr) compared with the Eid ul-Adha that lasts four days and is called “The Greater Eid” (Arabic: العيد الكبير al-‘īdu l-kabīr).

On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family awakes very early, does the first everyday prayer, and is required to eat a little, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held in mosques, large open areas, stadiums and arenas. The prayer is generally short and is followed by a sermon (khuṭba). Worshippers greet and embrace each other with hugs in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer. After the special prayers, festivities and merriment are commonly observed with visits to the homes of relatives and friends to thank God for all blessings.

Eid ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion with important religious significance, celebrating the achievement of enhanced piety. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of fasting but also thank God for the self control and strength that Muslims believe God gave them. It is a time of giving and sharing, and many Muslims dress in holiday attire.