Muslims around the world welcomed the start of the blessed month of Ramadan on Friday, May 18, 2018 based on the sighting of the crescent moon. It is a month of fasting, and not simply about abstaining from food and water for 14 hours or so a day but a spiritual journey that helps purify the soul and practise self sacrifice. The Sunday Observer interviewed Ash-Sheikh A.C. Agar Mohamed, Vice President, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the highest assembly of Sri Lankan Islamic scholars about Ramadan and its significance.
“Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month when Muslims world over observe the fast, which begins with the sighting of the first moon, for the month and lasts 29 or 30 days, in accordance with the lunar calendar. ‘Siyam’, or fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the main pillars of Islam,” Mohamed said.
He elaborated that fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam, the five activities that shape a Muslim’s life: namely, daily prayers, faith in Allah, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca (Makka). “Fasting during Ramadan is an annual observance; Muslims take an entire month out of their lives every year to observe the fast and rededicate themselves to worship and faith,” he said.
“Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in the light of Islamic guidance. We make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits, and essentially cleanse our lives, thoughts and feelings. The Arabic word for fasting literally means, ‘to refrain’, it is not only refraining from food and drink, but also from evil actions, thoughts and words,” he explained. Mohammed said, the physical effects of the fast are felt by Muslims as a reminder of those who suffer throughout the year - the poor, homeless, refugees and others who cannot meet their basic needs. It reminds the Muslims not to be wasteful and to feel empathy for those who face hunger, daily. He said, “We should feel gratitude for the bounties of Allah: clean water, sufficient healthy food, the comfort of a home and the health of our family members.”
“During Ramadan, every part of our 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 give charity and 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 rather the total commitment of the person’s body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practise self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus on the worship of God and charity to mankind,” he added.
He said, like other injunctions of Islam, the benefits of Ramadan are not limited purely to either ‘spiritual’ or ‘temporal, elements of life. “In Islam, the spiritual, social, economic, political and psychological, all intermingle in a consistent and cohesive all. Fasting, above all is an act of obedience and submission to Allah. This is based on the love of Allah and the earnest effort to gain His pleasure. If this is the only reason for fasting, it surely suffices. Fasting is an act of atonement for our sins and mistakes,” he said.
Mohammed says, fasting trains the believer in Taqwa (to be mindful of Allah). “If one volunteers to refrain from lawful food and sex, he/she will be in a better position to avoid the unlawful things and acts. It enhances the feelings of inner peace, contentment and optimism. Fasting promotes the spirit of unity and belonging within the Muslims. Millions of Muslims all over the world fast during the same month observing the same rules. Fasting promotes the spirit of human equality before Allah. All Muslims, male and female, rich and poor from all backgrounds go through the same experience of deprivation with no special privileges or favours for any group or class,” he noted.
Many people are keen to know how the beginning and the end of Ramadan is determined. When asked about this, he said, the beginning of the month of Siyam (Ramadan) is determined by the sighting of the new moon for Ramadan or by the completion of the 30th day of the month of Sha’ban, the month preceding Ramadan.
Speaking about the desirable things and religious practices in Ramadan, Mohammed said,Muslims need to take a night meal (called Suhoor) as close to ‘Fajr’ time as possible. “The blessings of Suhoor include strengthening the person, enabling him/her to continue to be active during the day, and making fasting tolerable. One has to break the fast as soon as he/she is sure the sun has set. The first sip of water is the most anticipated moment of the day when breaking fast,” he said.
“After sunset prayers, ‘Iftar’, the first meal is shared with family and friends. Iftar is a social event as much as it is a gastronomical adventure. After breaking the fast, the night is devoted to prayers; the observance of the supererogatory prayer known as ‘Taraweeh’ ; and reciting and studying the Qur’an. Also many voluntary prayers are performed, particularly, during the last ten days of Ramadan; and exchange social visits and intensify humanitarian services,” Mohammed said.
“Fasting is mandatory for every Muslim who is sane, adult, able and resident. It is not mandatory for children who are not adolescent yet, the elderly and the chronically ill for whom fasting is unreasonably strenuous; pregnant women and nursing mothers who fear that fasting may endanger their lives or health or those of their fetuses or infants; those who are ill or the traveller, provided they make up the missed days of fasting when they are well; women during the period of menstruation or post childbirth are also exempted from fasting,” he explained. “A great deal has been written about the medical and health benefits of fasting, both, by Muslims and non-Muslim scientists. These benefits include the elimination of harmful fatty substances from the blood, helping the cure of certain types of intestinal and stomach ailments and renewal of body tissues. Some ailments may be aggravated by fasting, in which case the person is exempted from fasting,” Mohammed explained.
He said, for those who may be engaged in Islamically and medically undesirable habits, such as over-eating or smoking, the self control and disciplined exercise provide an excellent opportunity to ‘kick-out’ these bad habits. In a sense, fasting is an annual physical overhaul of the body.
“The Prophet recommended to break the fast with dates. Physicians point out that breaking the fast with such a sweet food helps remove the symptoms of weakness felt at the end of the fast since sugar is immediately absorbed by the body.
Similarly, one should not overeat so as not to destroy some of the benefits of fasting. It should be reiterated, however, that the main motive in fasting is to obey Allah and seek His pleasure,” he added.