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From Issue: 395 [Read full issue]

Living the Quran

Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
Chapter 2: Verse 183

Time For Though, Action & Change!
“O you who Believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may develop consciousness of God”

“What is fasting?” “How does the fasting of Muslims in Ramadan differ from the fasting of other faiths?” “Why should one ‘torture’ one’s body in the first place?” “What do you really gain from fasting in the end?”…These are a few questions that a number of non-Muslim friends and colleagues often ask us, usually out of fascination with this spiritually-uplifting practice of Islamic faith, and at times out of pity and sympathy for us, thinking, why should anyone suffer from hunger and thirst like Muslims? I wouldn’t be surprised if many of us shared the same negative perception of Fasting.

It is important to note that Fasting in Arabic is called, “Sawm”, which literally means ‘to be at rest’. Fasting in the month of Ramadan (the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar) is one of the Five Pillars upon which the “house” of Islam is built. During this month, every able-bodied Muslim, is required to fast, everyday from dawn until dusk

7 Reasons To Fast!

  1. Fasting is an institution for the improvement of moral and spiritual character of human being. The purpose of the fast is to help develop self-restraint, self-purification, God-consciousness, compassion, the spirit of caring and sharing, the love of humanity and the love of God. Fasting is a universal custom and is advocated by all the religions of the world, with more restrictions in some than in others. The Islamic Fast, as opposed to mere starvation or self-denial, is an act of worship and obedience to God, thanksgiving, forgiveness, spiritual training, and self-examination.
     
  2. Fasting indoctrinates us in patience, unselfishness, and gratitude. When we fast we feel the pains of deprivation and hunger, and learn how to endure it patiently. The meaning of this powerful experience in a social and humanitarian context is that we are much quicker than anybody else in sympathizing with the oppressed and needy around the world, and responding to their needs.
  3. It cultivates in us the principle of sincere Love, because when we observe Fasting, we do it out of deep love for God. And a person, who loves God, truly is a person who knows what love is and why everyone on this Earth should be loved and treated justly, for the sake of God.
     
  4. Fasting elevates the human spirit and increases our awareness of God. It strengthens our will-power as we learn to rise above our lower desires. The institution of fasting is both unique and a shared experience in human history. From the very beginning of time, humans have struggled to master their physical and psychological selves: their bodies and their emotions. Hunger is one the most powerful urges that we experience. Thus, when a person purposefully denies something to their own self that it craves, they are elevating their mind above their body, and their reason and will above their carnal passions.
     
  5. With the clarity of mind and absence of distractions, also comes a greater focus. In the month of Ramadan, many Muslims try to avoid watching TV, listening to music, and some other leisure activities, which spares them more time and energy to be spent on more productive activities such as academics, intense study of Islam, voluntary prayers, social and humanitarian causes, and a quality time with the family, to name a few. It is a reminder of our duty to God, our purpose and higher values in life.  
     
  6. It makes us realize the reality of life and death. Fasting makes us realize how dependant our lives are on things that we often take for granted, such as food and water. It makes us think about our dependence on God and God’s mercy and justice. Moreover, it reminds us of the life after death, which itself has a great impact on our character and our world-view.
     
  7. Ramadan is a blessed month for a special reason: It is actually the month in which God first revealed His final message and guidance for mankind to our beloved Prophet Muhammad. This message has been perfectly preserved both orally and textually in the form of a Book, called the Qur’an (The Reading/Recital). Therefore, Muslims try to do an intense study of  the Quran in this month especially, and evaluate their lives according to the standards and guidance contained in it.

In a nutshell, even though the real purpose of the dynamic institution of Fasting is to discipline our soul and moral behavior, and to develop sympathy for the less fortunate, it is a multi-functional and a comprehensive tool of change in various spheres of our lives, including: social and economic, intellectual and humanitarian, spiritual and physical, private and public, personal and common, inner and outer --- all in one!

Compiled From:
"The Fasting of Ramadan: A Time for Thought, Action, and Change!" - Taha Ghayyur & Taha Ghaznavi

Understanding the Prophet's Life

Glad Tidings of Ramadan!

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Ramadan has come to you -- a blessed month. Allah has made obligatory upon you its fasting. In it (i.e. the month of Ramadan), the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good (blessings), then he has been deprived (of something really special.)" (Collected by Ahmad and An-Nasai)

This Hadith is a glad tiding to the righteous servants of Allah, of the coming of the blessed month of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed his companions of its coming and it was not just a simple relaying of news! Rather, his intent was to give them the glad tidings of a magnificent time of the year, so that the righteous people who are quick to do deeds can give it, its due estimate. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained in it (i.e. the Hadith) what Allah has prepared for His servants from the ways towards gaining forgiveness- and there are many ways! So whosoever has forgiveness escape from him/her during the month of Ramadan, then he/she has been deprived with the utmost deprivation.

Are we ready to welcome this year's Ramadan with good actions and the intention to change ourselves?

Blindspot

Itikaf

Itikaf means staying in the mosque (usually during the last 10 days of Ramadan) for a specific purpose which is to worship Allah.

Imam Al-Zuhri said: “How strange the Muslims are! They have given up Itikaf, despite the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) never abandoned this practice from the time he came to Madinah until his death.”

Itikaf offers an immense hidden benefit, which is protection from the effects of excessive socializing. Itikaf also offers protection from the evil consequences of talking and sleeping too much, because a person usually does Itikaf on his own, turning to Allah by praying Qiyamul-Layl (Night prayers), reading Quran, making Dhikr, reciting dua, and so on. Undoubtedly, a person’s success in freeing himself from excessive socializing, talking and sleeping, will help him to make his heart turn towards Allah, and will protect him from the opposite.

Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah says: "This leads him to feel contented with Allah instead of the people, which prepares him for being at peace with Him alone on the day of loneliness in the grave, when there is no one else to give comfort, nor anyone to grant solace except Him. So this is the greater goal of Itikaf."

Note: Women may also observe Itikaf at home. It was a constant practice of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be him and his wives).

Compiled From:
"What is Itikaf and why is it important?" - Planet Arabic

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