Omkar Dattatray
The month of Ramadan is the pious month in Islamic calendar and it is the month of total fasting and is observed by the Muslims all over the world. This month has special significance for Muslims and it is the month of not only fasting but of self-control, self-discipline, charity, austerity and remembrance of God and during this holy month Muslims make it sure that they will abstain from doing bad things and do good to the people especially help financially and through other austerity. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting prayer, reflection and doing good to others. It teaches us self control, discipline and abstinence from the material pleasures. It is observed as the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam and lasts from 29 to 30 days from sighting of the crescent moon to next month. During this holy month complete fast is observed by Muslims from dawn to sun set. The fast from dawn to sun set is Fard -obligatory for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic or menstruating. The pre-dawn meal is referred to as Suhur and nightly feast that breaks fast is called in Islamic parlance as Iftaar. Although Fatwas had been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca. It is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from the day. The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to multiplied during Ramadan. Accordingly during the hours of fasting Muslims refrain not only from food and drink but also from tobacco products, sexual relations and sinful behavior, devoting themselves instead to Salat-prayer and study of holy Quran. This year Ramadan began on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, with devotion and faith. It is worth mentioning that final evening of Ramadan consists of a celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr with a big feast and the poor and needy people are provided help by the well to do people and this exhibits the spirit of equality in Islam-the religion of peace and benevolence. The significance of the Ramadan in the life of the Muslims cannot be exaggerated and it is in the fitness of things to throw light on the importance of the celebration and observance of the Ramadan. As the blessed month Ramadan draws near, Muslims around the world wait anxiously and in joyous anticipation of the opportunity to observe fasting, which is the fourth pillar of the Islamic faith and Muslims all around the world welcome the coming of the month of Ramadan. The Ramadan each year sparks interest and awareness that raises several questions regarding month long fasting. Is it an aimless exercise of austerity or a religious discipline promising moral, physical, and spiritual development and advancement? Is this the novel practice introduced by Islam? How do various world religions inculcate fasting and what is the true concept of fasting in Islam? What is the significance of Ramadan itself and what are the objectives of the fasting that a Muslim strives to achieve in this month? Fasting can be commonly defined as ‘Abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink especially as a religious observance. The incorporation of fasting in world religions signifies that the scope of fasting reaches well beyond the simplicity of absenteeism from food and drinks. Observance of fasts is an important part of Hindusim as Hindus all over the world observe fast on various religious festivals. Islam ordain its followers to observe fasts but in different ways and it is worth mentioning that Muslim fasting is very strict and hard in observance as a strict formalities and restrictions are followed by the believers during the Ramadan and so fasting is very unique and distinct in religion of Islam and even taking of even water and smoking of all kinds is not allowed in fasting by Muslims and thus fasting in Islam denotes a rigorous discipline and adherence to set rules and formalities by the people. Fasting is regarded by the world religions primarily as a mode of self-reflection, moral conditioning and spiritual advancement. Interestingly, fasting is not a novel practice introduced by Islam. Thus the practice of fasting in Islam is an extension of the practice found in earlier religions. In Hinduism, fasting is known as Upavasa. It is a common expression of religious commitment and is undertaken as part of an ascetic routine. The fasting has got much importance in Sanatan Dharma and many Hindu rituals start with fasting. Upvasa can also refer to an all inclusive -abstention from all forms of sensual gratification. In Islam fasting is not only a physical exercise but a spiritual one, the ultimate aim of which is the attainment of God’s pleasure through regulation of one’s life in accordance with His ordinances. If a Muslim merely observes the outward requirements of the fast, they will simply succeed in making themselves hungry as well as thirsty and nothing more. Explaining true essence of fasting in Islam, Hazrat Ghulam Ahmad, a promised Messiah and founder of Ahmadiya Muslim community stated, “Fasting is not merely staying hungry and thirsty, but its reality and impact can only be gained through experience.
It is human nature, that less one eats, the more ones spirit is purified and thus his capacity for spiritual visions increases. The will of God is to decrease one kind of sustenance and to increase the other.
A person who is fasting should always be mindful that he is just not required to stay hungry. On the contrary he should remain engaged in remembrance of God so that he can cut asunder the ties of worldly desires and amusements and is wholly devoted to Almighty.” Hence the significance of fasting is this alone that man gives up one kind of sustenance which only nourishes the body and attains other kind of sustenance which is a source of comfort and gratification of the soul.” Indulgence in unbecoming speech and inappropriate actions nullifies the very objective of fasting in Islam. This is why the Holy Prophet of Islam has taught that, ‘He who does not shun telling a lie by word and deed, should know that God needs not his abstention from food and drink.’ It should be noted that fasting in Islam has set and strict rules and regulations which a believer has to follow in letter and spirit while observing fasting in Ramadan, otherwise fasting will only imply to be hunger and thirsty. Muslim fasting is not that easy, but the believers observe fasting during Ramadan in true religious spirit by following all the rules, regulations and commandments of the God and his prophet. It should be understood that fasting has special importance in Islam and the devote Muslims observe fasting with their mind fixed on God and this surely bestows the blessings of the almighty on those who observe fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. To conclude one can say that fasting is not merely keeping oneself hungry and thirsty but there is a big scientific philosophy behind fasting during Ramadan and so all Muslims should observe fasting during Ramadan for obtaining the blessings of the almighty Allah. May this year’s fasting purify our body and soul and also bring peace, security, prosperity, happiness and above all contentment and let us all pray to Almighty who is the supreme lord of the universe and all powerful and merciful. May He purify us from all our sins!
(The author is a columnist,
social and KP activist).
