Ramzan: Fasting, Praying and Charity  

By SHABIH ZEHRA HUSAINI  

Ramzan: Fasting, Praying and Charity  

Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, offers an extensive programme of reform and spiritual elevation to all Muslims to help remould their entire being.

Since human beings tend to frequently lose touch with their inner world, Islam has provided for a substantial provision for an annual "workshop" in the form of siyam or Roza. This trains and equips us to reach out to the inner self, by firmly dealing with any moral laxity and indiscipline.

The word siyam means to 'refrain from'. During Ramzan it refers to cultivating the ability to withstand physical hunger. During the month-long fast, Muslims are expected to exercise restraint in eating, drinking and sexual activities. The temporary restraint is a self-imposed one so that the art of self-control is well-honed to enable us to resist even greater temptations in life. So the Qur'an says: "O, ye who believe! Fasting is /Prescribed for you... that /You may learn self- restraint" (2.183).

Doubtless, abstaining from food, drink and sex alone is not enough to achieve true cleansing; individual effort has also to be directed towards refraining from any unethical act. The Holy Prophet had declared: "Fasting is not only abstinence from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene acts" (Ibn Khuzaima, Abu Huraira).

Total abstinence from all obnoxious acts calls also for full physical and mental control. The Holy Prophet's sayings have traditionally enjoined man to control his tongue, eyes, ears, hands and heart in order to eschew all those social mischiefs which mar the peace of society. For instance, the fasting man has to remember that the tongue is a God-given gift, meant to be used to utter good words - and not to tell lies, heap slander, backbite or sow the seeds of discord and hatred.

Ramzan also impels us to promote social harmony because living peacefully with neighbours and all those who come in contact with us is considered to be one of the best kinds of charity. This month fosters the spirit of love and brotherhood and insists on cementing friendships and rebuilding relationships.This is a time to bury hatchets: The Holy Prophet implores Muslims to put an end to all family feuds, mutual dislikes, grudges and communal hatred and open a fresh chapter with fellow human beings because God does not dwell in a malicious heart. The sacred month bans Muslims from engaging in any kind of aggression.

Ramzan being the period of spiritual training exhorts Muslims to desist from all these ills and focus instead on higher goals in order to be godly in their ideals and practical lives. They are repeatedly warned that their fast would be vitiated if they fail to subdue their greed or if they generated wealth by foul means: "...nor use it (your wealth) as a bait for the judges /with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly /a little of other people's property" (Qur'an 2:188).

Ramzan, the month of giving and sharing, is an annual reminder to wealthy Muslims that affluence carries with it its own responsibilities - they will be chastised in the hereafter if they neglect their duties towards those people who live in narrow circumstances. Service of the poor is the worship of God; Muslims are encouraged to give freely during Ramzan.

Ramzan is also a month of confession and repentance. It invites us to retrospect and then scrutinise our lives, deeds and dealings with our fellowmen. The main aim of Ramzan is 'spiritual ascent' - fasting and praying will not yield divine rewards if we perform them as mere customary rituals without effecting any improvement in our character.

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See also: Ramzan, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)