The Sunday News
Talking Spiritually
SINCE the sighting of the new moon on 28 June this year, Muslims across the world celebrated the reception of the Holy Qur’an by the Prophet Muhammad (may the blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) by a month-long fasting period known as Ramadan.
Tomorrow on the 28th of July the fast ends in great celebration as they get into the new dispensation. While they were greeting each other with the words, “Ramadan rakeem!” during Ramadan they now will greet with the blessing “Eid Mubarak!” it is exciting and worth noting.
The Muslims break the fast this Monday and wish each other a new beginning as they say “Kul ’am wa enta bi-khair!” (“May every year find you in good health!”) If you have a good Muslim friend please visit them with some new clothes or specially done roast of lamb! They will never forget you!
Ramadan is a period of reflection, generosity, and sacrifice observed by all Muslims at the same time, all over the world. The Islamic fast is a complete one, allowing no food, drink, smoking, or intimacy during the daytime hours of the month. From dawn until dusk, Muslims must practice self-control and focus on prayers and devotion. Aside from the five-times-daily prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan is the most visible and recognisable of Muslim acts the world over. During the 30-odd days of Ramadan, Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours, drinks included, and abstain from bodily pleasures like sex or other forms of sensual abandon.
Muhammad (ahs) once said, “If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of food and drink.” It is therefore imperative that the fasting person not only refrains from food and drink, but also from foul speech, lying, arguing, and the like. The focus is on humility, spiritual oneness with God and social oneness with the umma, or Islamic community, across the globe.
Fasting in Islam has its origins in Judaism, Christianity and the pre-Islamic Arab world. Although Ramadan is when Muslims fast most, they may fast voluntarily the rest of the year, or fast three days a month, or six days during the month of Sawwal, which follows the month of Ramadan, or fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Each of these proscriptions is recognized in Islam.
Traditional Muslims may also fast to atone for specific sins, the way Catholics recite rosaries or follow their priest’s instructions to atone. For example, failing to honour an oath or accidentally killing a Muslim may be mitigated by fasting. Sufis, as rigorous in their spiritual exercises as Jesuits, consider fasting part of their religious calisthenics.
As is the case in other spiritual practices there are benefits of Ramadan. During the fast, Muslims experience hunger and thirst and learn to sympathise with those in the world who have little to eat. They come to appreciate the blessings that Allah grants them. Through increased charity during the month, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and goodwill towards others. And since all Muslims in the world are undergoing the same experience at the same time, this practice strengthens community bonds throughout the Muslim world.
The Qur’an commands as follows: “Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, and clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong. So everyone of you who is present at his home during that month should spend it in fasting. But if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later” (Qur’an 2:185). During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace-making. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking).
Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.
Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food like rice, barley, dates to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).
According to the Prophet Muhammad, each person should give away in charity an amount equivalent to one sa’a of grain. A sa’a is an ancient measure of volume, and various scholars have struggled to interpret this amount in modern measurements. The most common understanding is that one sa’a is equivalent to 2,5 kilograms (5 pounds) of wheat. Each individual Muslim is to give away this amount, this includes all without exception man or woman, adult or child, sick or healthy, old or young. The senior member of the household is responsible for paying the amount on behalf of the family. So a family of four individuals (2 adults + 2 children of any age) should purchase and give away 10 kilograms or 20 pounds of food.
It is recommended that the Sadaqa Al-Fitr be given as an amount of non-perishable staple food, not cash. The purpose of this charitable donation is to ensure that all members of the community have food to eat after Ramadan and during the Eid holiday.
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government and school holiday. So if you have Muslims in your work-staff take time to recognise that they are not avoiding work but they are celebrating a holy day. The eating is certainly meant to bond the families and friends after the fast.
The Eid al fitr and the whole of Ramadan are very significant in the life of a Muslim as they are an important link with the introspective nature of fasting, giving and prayer. That is why immediately after the Eid some Muslims make their trek to the Holy City of Mecca. The Haj is a transformative pilgrimage that not only changes one in the spiritual realm but also one’s name changes and further his name may even changed to include himself as an ‘Al haji” the latter is a very self-descriptive title. One that is envied by many a Muslim as it is indicative of fulfilling one of the pillars of Islam.
Understanding Islam is important in the search for a common spirituality that is free of politicisation. We meet next week on another note, for now Shalom! Maybe I should say Salaam aleyikhum! Eid Mubarak!
