Ramadan, the Month of Fasting

                                                        Mir Lutful Kabir Saadi


Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. The Islamic calendar,
like the solar calendar, has twelve months. The Islamic calendar is based
on the moon (Lunar), while the Solar or Gregorian calendar is based on the
sun. The solar calendar months are made of 30 or 31 days except February.
The Lunar calendar months are made of 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is therefore
either 29 days or 30 days.

The Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian
calendar, roams throughout the seasons. Thus, since Ramadan begins on
October 16 or 17 this year (2004), next year it will begin on October 5 or
6. The first day of Ramadan starts based on moon sight. The entire cycle
takes around 35 years. In this way, the length of the day, and thus the
fasting period, varies in length from place to place over the years.

The Arabic word for fasting is Sawm and its plural is Siyam. During the
month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from Subhe Sadik (pre-dawn) to sunset. In
between, during the daylight hours - Muslims totally abstain from food,
drink, smoking, and marital sex. Fasting is the third ‘pillar’ or religious
obligation of Islam. Fasting has many special benefits, among these the
most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the
lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily desire during the
daylight hours of fasting, a measure of control is given to one's spiritual
nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to Almighty Allah. Ramadan
is also a time of rigorous worship, reading of the Holy Qur'an, giving
charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds as much as possible.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory on every Muslim adult. The
Arabic word sawm literally means 'to refrain', but as an Islamic term, it
means refraining from food, drinks and marital sexual activity from
pre-dawn to sunset. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah
(2-183):
'O you who believe, siyam is prescribed on you as it was prescribed to
those before you so that you may become self-restrained.'

The importance of Siyam in Ramadan is clearly expressed in several sayings
of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) that the
Prophet (SAW) said:
'He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah
will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan
with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins
forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks
his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.' (Bukhari and Muslim)

Ramadan is a special month of the year for Muslims throughout the world. It
is a time for inner reflection, devotion to Allah (SWT), and self-control.
Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. During
this month, they take extra time for family, inner reflection, and
spiritual growth. As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing
hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to
thankfulness and appreciation for all of Allah's reward. Fasting is also
beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits
of food and excess.

While voluntary fasting is recommended for Muslims, during Ramadan fasting
becomes obligatory. Sick people, travelers, and women in certain conditions
are exempted from the fast but must make it up as they are able. Perhaps
fasting in Ramadan is the most widely practiced of all the Muslim forms of
worship. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims
recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). During
the month, Muslims try to read as much of the Qur'an as they can. Most try
to read the whole Qur'an at least once. Some spend part of their day
listening to the recitation of the Qur'an in a mosque. This month also
encourage Muslims to learn Arabic and understand Holy Qur’an using translation.

It is a common practice for Muslims break their fast with a meal called the
iftar. Breaking the fast with dates or fresh water is a tradition of the
Prophet (SAW). This is followed by the magreb prayer. Muslims also have a
pre-fast meal, called the sehri, which occurs before pre-dawn. It is
desirable to break the fast as soon as possible after sunset. Following is
the Du'a for breaking fast: Allahumma laka sumtu wa 'ala ridhqika aftartu
(O Allah! For You did I fast and with Your bounties did I break the fast.)

The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of exceptionally special spiritual
power as Muslims tries to come closer to Allah (SWT) through devotions and
good deeds. The night, on which the first verses of the Qur'an were
revealed to the Prophet (SAW), known as the Lailat ul-Qadr. Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) asked Muslims to search this night in every odd last ten
nights of the Ramadan. The Holy Qur'an itself describes this night as
"better than a thousand months." [Al-Qadr (97:3)]. It is easier to discover
Lailat ul-Qadrin while one’s in I’tikaf. I'tikaf refers to the religious
practice of spending the last ten days of Ramadan in a mosque so as to
devote oneself exclusively to worship. Prophet (SAW) did I’tikaf through
out his whole life.

The experience of fasting is intended to teach Muslims self-discipline and
self-restraint and remind them of the plight of the impoverished. Muslims
observing the fast are required to abstain not only eating and drinking,
but also from consuming oral medications and intravenous nutritional
fluids. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend
less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship
and contemplation. Bab Al-Raiyan is the name of one of the gates of Heavens
(Jannah) through which the people who regularly observe fasting will only
enter on the Day of Judgement.

Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan can be good for one's health
and personal development. Ramadan fasting is not just about disciplining
the body to restrain from eating food and drinking water from pre-dawn
until sunset. The eyes, the ears, the tongue, and even the private parts
are equally obligated to be restrained, if a Muslim wants to gain the total
rewards of fasting. Ramadan is also about restraining anger, doing good
deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a
good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan. Fasting serves many
purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the
suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice
self-control and to cleanse the body and mind.

The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things
- the telling of a lie, insult, denouncing someone behind his back, a false
oath or greediness.These are considered offensive at all times, but are
most offensive during the Fast of Ramadan. Fitra is needed to give to the
poor people before Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. Fitra can be given by food or money.
One sa’a is required for fitra. One sa’a means 2.5 kg weight of rice, wheat
or else. (which is the main food) or equivalent amount of money. Rich
people also need to pay zakat, which is another ‘pillar’ or religious
obligation of Islam. People usually pay zakat during the month of Ramadan
for added benefit.


The end of Ramadan, marked by the celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr'. It takes
place on the 1st day of Shawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Eid
ul-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations. The other
one is Eid-ul-Adha. During the time of the Eid day people offer Eid prayer
in the open field or mosque, dress in their finest clothes, beautify their
homes, bestow pleasure to children, and enjoy visits with family, friends,
and neighbors.

Muslims use many phrases in various languages to congratulate one another
for the completion of the obligation of fasting and the ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’
festival. Here is a sampling of them: "Atyab at-tihani bi-munasabat hulul
shahru Ramadan al-Mubarak” (The most precious congratulations on the
occasion of the coming of Ramadan) - Arabic.      "Elveda, ey Ramazan"
(Farewell, O Ramadan) - Turkish. “Eid mubarak” (A Blessed Eid) - Universal.

Siyam or fasting in Ramadan is practiced by Muslims all over the world. The
most significant aspect of Siyam is the development of Allah-consciousness
(Taqwa) in the heart and the soul of a fasting Muslim. One must abstain
from immoral behavior and attitude as well. Refraining from food and such
is essential during fast but it is not sufficient. The Prophet of Allah is
reported to have said:
'If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need
for his abandoning of his food and drink.'  (Al-Bukhari)

END

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