Well wishes for Ramadan
Annually, Muslims all over the world look forward to their holy month of Ramadan in which they are encouraged to fast, pray and engulf themselves in good deeds in an extraordinary manner. This month is believed to be full of incomparable blessings and mercy and a devout time of self-reflection and prayers.
The main component of the month of Ramadan being that it is a time for fasting, fromsunrise to sunset every day for 30 days in an effort to bring about internal peace and a higher level of spirituality within ourselves. Muslims are encouraged to seek opportunities to do extra good deeds throughout this month than they usually would throughout the rest of the year. Seeking righteousness and self-improvement are the greatest of aims for Muslims throughout this month. Opportunities include community service, charity work, volunteering, and putting self-interests aside for the betterment of the community and society all-together.
During this period, one is expected to abstain from all food and drink completely. It is not just physical hunger and thirst that constitute the Muslim fast, but the nights prior to the beginning of the fast acquire a far more important character and play a central role in the institution of fasting. The Muslims wake up many hours before dawn for individual prayer and the remembrance of God. Holy Quran is recited in every Muslim house much more than in ordinary days. A greater part of the night is thus spent in spiritual exercises which make up the very essence of fasting.
Islamic calendar (Hijra) is a lunar calendar, the first day of Ramadan moves back 11 days each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, Ramadan falls on different parts of the seasonal year over a 33-year cycle. This year Ramadan is starting on April 3.
Fasting is not something new but it was practiced in some form in almost every religion of the world. “O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” (Quran 2, 184) Moses and Jesus (peace be on them) also fasted for 40 days. Examples include Lent in Christianity; Yom Kippur, Tisha B’av, Fast of Esther, Tzom Gedalia, the Seventeenth of Tamuz, and the Tenth of Tevet in Judaism.
Fasting itself brings about a revolutionary change both physically and spiritually in the body. Aside from the increased level of spirituality that is associated with the practice of fasting, there are numerous health aspects that fasting brings to the physical body including (1) reduced risk of heart disease
(2) boost metabolism and fat loss (3) improved insulin sensitivity (4) clearing of precancerous cells (5) fighting of inflammation and many more. Greek Philosopher Hippocrates stated “Instead of medicine, rather fast a day”
Fasting not only makes a man fit and able to bear hardships but also makes him realize the sufferings of his brethren in distress and feel sympathy for them. Thus, fasting goes a long way to remove and minimize the pains and sufferings of humanity.
Spiritually, the practice of fasting encourages a sense of discipline which enables for clearer thinking and functioning of the brain. As a result, instead of focusing on meals that fill the stomach, the mind aims to seek meals that will fulfill the soul. This in return results in an attempt to elevate one’s spiritual sense and connection with God.
As the month of Ramadan begins to end, Muslims will seek to carry on the improvements and changes in their lives striving to build about a positive change in the world and invite others to do so also. Global harmony, starts with working to find inner peace within ourselves and our own communities. This year Ramadan starts on March 23. Please join Muslims in celebrating this holy month of Ramadan with visiting their Mosques in your respected communities.