Ramadan is greatly anticipated; the fasting it brings is held as one of Islam’s highest forms of worship, one that brings Muslims closer to God.
Minutes after sunset on Sunday, the holy month of Ramadan will be ushered in by the birth of the new moon, with Muslims around the world gazing skyward in the hopes of sighting the Hilal (crescent moon).
Muslims meticulously follow the cycles of the moon to determine the start of each month.
Ramadan is greatly anticipated; the fasting it brings is held as one of Islam’s highest forms of worship, one that brings Muslims closer to God.
Islamic fasting requires a deep “God consciousness” known as Taqwa, which for a month calls for abstinence from food, drink, smoking and intimate relations from before dawn till sunset, changing the course of a Muslim’s daily life. It’s an opportunity for all Muslims to improve their relationship with God, refresh their values, refine their spirituality and ultimately earn forgiveness of their past sins.
While the cultural practices may vary some from country to country, and even decade to decade, Ramadan remains a beautiful influence on those who observe it and the places where it’s observed.
Thirty years ago, I spent the summer in a college class that traveled Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. We arrived in Jerusalem, a holy city represented by all three monotheistic faiths on the first day of Ramadan.
The old city’s narrow streets and alleys were filled with festive lights hanging from the walls. Small Palestinian children strolled along the walkways holding traditional Ramadan lanterns.
The open-air souk was filled with the aroma of Qatayef, a traditional Arab pancake. Folded in half, filled with walnuts and drizzled with sugar syrup, it’s a delicious symbol of Ramadan.
I prayed at the Al Aqsa Mosque that first Friday of Ramadan on the Haram al-Sharif, in the direction Muslims originally prayed before turning toward Mecca. Haram al-Sharif encloses more than 35 acres of fountains, beautiful gardens, buildings and domes.
While in Jerusalem, I witnessed the positive effects Ramadan fasting had on a society. An undercurrent of unselfishness, humility and generosity toward everyone far and wide was noticeable.
After all, fasting is designed to be an eloquent expression of selflessness requiring discipline and willpower. Muslims are obligated to do as many good deeds as they can during Ramadan in an effort to please God.
All of this is done out of a sincere devotion to God as a form of self-purification and heightening of one’s spirituality. It’s ultimately private and personal, because only God knows to the degree one is fasting.
God says in a hadith qudsi (God’s thoughts, expressed by the Prophet Muhammad) that “Fasting is for Me and I only will reward it.”
Ramadan also serves as an annual reminder to Muslims of the temptations they face daily and how some can spoil their purity and austerity — like an unhealthy fondness of nibbling and snacking throughout the day.
Tasting the physical pain of hunger can be inspiring and make one more mindful of needy folks, eventually helping us to become appreciative of life’s smallest pleasures — which may seem to be in short supply these days.
Fasting the holy month of Ramadan serves to unite all Muslims worldwide, affirming their sisterhood and brotherhood as a demonstration of equality before God.
—Source: Iviews