Happy Ramzan to my fellow residents of Suncity!
Ramzan or Ramadhanor Ramathanis the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims world wide as a month of fasting and prayer. Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.
Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, pregnant or menstruating. The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar. Although rulings have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca.
Iftar brings the best out of Muslims, due to the big reward for serving meals at this special time and having this sense of collaboration. This feeling of happiness and connection starts within one’s family and is extended to the entire community.
We, for instance, rarely see a fasting person breaking their fast alone at sunset without receiving many invitations from different people around to share an Iftar meal.
Ramadan is a time when family gatherings become a priority and the surprise is that we manage to arrange for it with a very high sense of enthusiasm.
The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan. Accordingly, during the month, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also from tobacco products, drinking alcohol, sexual relations, and sinful behaviour, devoting themselves to better things of life avoiding all forms of immoral behaviour, including impure or unkind thoughts. Thus, false words or bad deeds or intentions are as destructive of a fast as eating or drinking.
Ramadan teaches us to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat) Muslims also believe fasting helps instil compassion for the food-insecure poor.
Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan, on the “Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr)- commemorated on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, usually the 27thnight—that God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad the Quran, Islam’s holy book, ‘as a guidance for the people’
The month of Ramadan is a gift that guides believers in rearranging their disturbed affairs and recharging their spiritual batteries. This philosophy of seeking the reward from none but God can be easily applied to every act in our daily lives. So, spending quality time with one’s family outside Ramadan can be maintained through sharing meals, dialogue and interest in making others happy. This would create a safe space for everyone away from the hectic busy life or the virtual world and get us closer to respect and real constructive communication.
