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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 |
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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