There are few things more sacred to a devout Muslim than the holy month of Ramzan. This is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most significant, since it is month in which the holy Koran was revealed to mankind. The thirty days of Ramzan signify the thirty chapters of Koran.
Ramzan is the time for fasting or keeping roza, as there is a promise of salvation for those who fast during this month. Fasting is one of the duties which has to be performed by a devout Muslim, just as he has to offer prayers, do charity, read the Koran and undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca. Ramzan is the time when he is able to perform all these acts.
The thought of fasting, without food and water, from day break to sunset for thirty days can be very daunting. But Parveen Shaikh, a teacher at Centre Point School, Katol Road, says that all devout Muslims are conditioned to it. “This is something inbuilt in us. Actually, barring those who are ill or pregnant women, every Muslim above the age of 10 years keeps the rozas. Of course, the weather is a factor, since the month of Ramzan keeps advancing by ten days every year. It is easier in winters, when the days are short, and difficult in the months of May and June.”
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The fast is usually broken at sunset with dates or some fruit, as it is light on the system. But in Islam not only fasting but helping someone break a fast by offering food also gets holy blessings.
Ramzan is not just about abstinence from food and water. It is a fast for all the senses too. It is about abstinence from all kinds of entertainment. One has to be particular about what one sees, hears or reads during this month.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation ( NMC) Deputy Commissioner Rizwan Siddiqui describes it best. “The rozas are a means of self cleansing and these restrictions are to inculcate a sense that you are being watched. When that fear is there, people adhere to the rules and restrictions in a better way. Simply put, Islam means `I Surrender to Law of Allah and Mohammad`, and during this holy month the Almighty keeps away all the evils to create a conducive and comfortable environment for fasting and offering prayers.”
Even as the layman is aware of the sehri and Iftars, which are meals before sunrise and after sunset respectively, there is a strict regimen of prayers too that is to be followed. A roza cannot be complete without offering prayers or namaaz five times during the day. Many Muslims also try to read the entire Koran during this period.
–Agencies