By Dr. A. R. M. Imtiyaz
[monsoonJournal.com]
General thoughts on Ramadan
“Ramadan is the (month) in which Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish right from wrong). Whoever among you witnesses the month of Ramadan should fast through it…” (2:183)
Ramadan, the third pillar of Islam, falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar established in the year of 638CE. Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat and scorched ground. “Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.”[2:185] Ramadan divides into three parts. They are, (1) Rahmat, which mean mercy of God, (2) Maghfirat means forgiveness of God, (3) Nijat which means salvation.
Tarawih praying is one of the key elements of the month. Tarawih is an Arabic phrase referring to extra prayers. Muslims perform this prayer after Isha prayer. Muslims who identified with Sunni school perform Tarawih every night of the month. South Asia , home to Sunni Muslims, witness Tarwih during Ramadan. However, there is no unique position among the Muslims as to how many Salah should be performed in Tarawih which are held in the (Sunni) mosques every night of the month. However, Muslims who attach to Shia school, the second largest denomination based on the Islamic faith after Sunni Islam does not practice Tarawih. Shias view that Tarawih prayer as a Bidah (type of innovation) and thus caution Muslims to excuse themselves from it. In order to gain Almighty God’s love and appreciation, instead of performing Tarawih, Shia perform the night prayer during Ramadan just like any other night. This night prayer (Salah) commonly known as Tahajjud (ta-hajj-od).
Generally, during whole section of the Qur’an is recited during the praying in Ramadan. This opens the gate to complete the entire Qur’an by the end of the month. Sunnis predominant group among the Muslims believe it is conventional practice to do a khatm (complete recitation) of the Qur’an during the Ramadan by reciting at least one chapter (Juz) per night in Tarawih. Moreover, Shia Muslims regularly read Qur’an and attempt to complete it by the end of the month.
Ramadan demands both spiritual and physical observance of thirty days of fasting during the daylight hours. Right through the month of fasting, Muslims across the world including South Asia, regardless of their bitter ethnic and sectarian divisions, observe a fast from dawn to dusk. Fasting can help to purify the body and mind if those who fast seriously and sincerely committed to the ritual. Muslims also believe that Ramadan helps to raise Islamic values of peace, justice and equity.
Ramadan can help those who fast to practice the teachings of Islam. It also can seriously discourage those who fast in refraining from unpleasant feelings such as anger, envy, greed, and gossip. Qur’an encouraged Muslims to read it regularly during the month and dissuade Muslims having sexual pleasure during the day time. That is to say during fasting in the day sexual intercourse is not allowed but is permissible after the fast.
Fasting can help to cultivate righteousness and humility if it is practiced in its form. Fasting is not simply a practice of abstaining from food or drink; it is all about how those who fast control their mind and mature themselves to obtain wisdom and to seek a spiritual path. Thus, it must be observed strictly in order to gain the fruits of fasting.
Why do Muslims fast?
(A)To follow God’s order
One of Almighty God’s injunctions, directed to Muslims (men and women) to fast. “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you…”(2:183) and “…whoever witnesses the month of Ramadan should fast through it…” (2:185) the phrase “O you who believe” is referring to those who attach to Almighty (Allah) God’s command and testify that “La ilaha illa llaha Muhammadu-r Rasululla (there is no God but God Muhammad is the Prophet of God) and follow the Sunnah of His Prophet, Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him). Clearly, Ramadan fast is a divine order obligatory to all able-bodied Muslims who are free from compelling excuses.
(B) To practice the tradition
“O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for people before you …”(2:183) In fact, fasting was not an untainted innovation of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). It was practiced well before the birth of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). As a matter of fact, Adam (Sal) who was believed to be the first creature of mankind by Almighty God practiced fasting. Ramadan had been a practice of all the Prophets of God and their followers. Qur’an mentions that Musa (Sal) fasted for 40 days (2:51) and thus, the Jews termed “Jewish Passover” and the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) told us that Dawud(Sal) used to fast for half of the year (this involves fasting on every alternate day). Jesus or Isa (Sal) was also reported to have fasted for 40 days and thus, the Christians termed it “the Lent”, usually observed before Easter festival. Since these Prophets were messengers of God, it can be seen that by asking to follow the prophet Mohamed to fast. In other words, Almighty God intends to draw creature’s attention to the practice and tradition of his messengers who brought his message to the mankind.
In Mecca, Prophet Mohamed found that a group called Sabians practiced praying and making ablution, or ceremonial washing, before each prayer. Ramadan was a pagan ceremony practiced by the Sabian. 1. In the Qur’an, Mohammed called the Sabians “people of the book” like the Jews and Christians.
Moreover, Ramadan has its pagan roots originated in India. The observance of fasting to honor the moon, and ending the fast when the moon’s crescent appears, was practiced with the traditions of the Eastern worshippers’ of the moon. Both Ibn al-Nadim and the Shahrastani tell us about al-Jandrikinieh, an Indian sect which began to fast when the moon disappeared and ended the fast with a great feast when the crescent reappeared. 2
(C) To learn how to achieve faithfulness
“O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you…so that you will (learn how to attain) piety” (2:183) Human nature is susceptible to sins and transgression. This may be due human struggle to secure wealth and positions. Qur’an warns against gossiping, backbiting, slandering, hypocrisy, lying, cheating, duping, and hurting. Islamic school of thoughts believes that Ramadan can help to challenge those ill-behaviors and actions if one performs fasting with pure intentions. Ramadan teaches how to put an end to ill-actions and behaviors and take a step close to Almighty God
(D) To reap the full reward of the Night of Power (Lailat-ut Qadr)
“Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) Peace” (continuously) till the rise of Morning!” (97:1-5)
Muslims believe that the first divine revelation to Prophet from Almighty God took place in the Night of Ramadan- Lailat-ut Qadr. God picked the night because of the special blessings in it. It is called the night of Power (Lailat-ut Qadr) or the night of blessing (Lailat-ul Mubarak). It is this night that all Muslims are invited by God to look for in the month of Ramadan. Specifically, the night is in the last ten days of Ramadan and usually in one of the odd days (i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29th). A Muslim is expected to perform naafilah, recite the Qur’an, do zikr etc in the night. Since no one knows precisely which of the odd days the night is, Muslims are expected to be in seclusion (itikaf) during the last 10 days of Ramadan and the best place to be so is in the mosque.
Muslims do not want to miss the Night. It is this very reason that every Muslim wants to witness and reap its full blessing by fasting during the days of the month of Ramadan. As Ramadan fast is inextricably tied to the Night of Power (Qur’an 2:183) it follows that any Muslim who wishes to benefit from the Night of Power must fast during the month of Ramadan.
Critiques on Ramadan
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan they strictly monitor both, their emotional and physical feelings. Also they think fasting is very true, because those who fast do not eat (during the day light). However, critiques point that though they do not eat during the day light, they do eat (freely) their meals during the night. Since the Muslims believe that God allows them to eat while it is dark, they eat a large meal in the late evening and wake up early in the morning for another big meal. In other words, they simply change the time of their meals from daylight to darkness.
In fact, Muslims those who are financially able enough, continue to consume large meals during Ramadan. What is also true is that rather than simple meals which they have during the year, they arrange for elaborate meals, spending sometimes triple or more money on food during Ramadan than in any other month. Thus such reality of meals consuming during the Ramadan lead critiques to suggest that Muslims eat a lot during the Ramadan than non-Ramadan period. Muslims need to open their eyes on this critique in order to strengthen the meaning of Ramadan.
Conclusion
Societies, whether they are located in the corner of North or in the South, consist of only of two classes-poor and rich. Islam urges economically able (rich) Muslims to be generous to economically disadvantaged (poor) class. Islam puts particular attention on the end of Ramadan to financially help those who are in need. Moreover, Ramadan steers Muslims in the right way in terms of spiritual and material life. It can indeed help cultivate wisdom, kindness and compassion among Muslims if it is observed properly with pure intentions. Ramadan will come to an end with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. This year, it is highly likely it can occur on October, 13th 2007. A sense of kindness and appreciation dominate these festivities. Muslims need to stick to the lessons Ramadan has thought to them.
May the Creator God give us courage in this world and in then hereafter and give us strength and good health to be able to fast during the month of Ramadan. Also, God give us equality and peace to all of us-Muslims and non-Muslims.
1 Abdel Allah ibn Zakwan Abi al-Zanad. See Ibn Qutaybah, page 204;Cited by Sinasi Gunduz, The Knowledge of Life, Oxford University , 1994, page 25
2 Ibn Al Nadim, Al-Fahrisit, page 348
[Grand Mosque, Puttalam, Sri Lanka – Picture by HumanityAshore.org]