Islamic faith prepares for Ramadan
MBABANE – The Eswatini Islamic Council welcomes the month of Ramadan, although the specific date for the start of fasting has not yet been confirmed.
The council said they were waiting for the new moon to appear, which would then mark the beginning of their 29 to 30 days of fasting.
The council said the month of Ramadan was a holy month of great joy and blessings.
The council said it was due to the mercy of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala that they had been fortunate enough to be granted the virtues of Ramadan.
According to the council, Ramadan is a time to remember brothers and sisters all over the world, who had been adversely affected and were facing immense difficulties and hardship.
During such a period, special prayers are offered to Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala to alleviate their suffering and grant them relief.
Strength
“May the most merciful and the most kind give us the strength to continue working to help those less fortunate than ourselves. May He also keep us all on a safe and steady path, accept our fasts, supplications and ibaadah and forgive all our sins, Ameen,” states one of their prayers for Ramadan.
Ibaadah is an Arabic word meaning service or servitude. In Islam, it is translated as ‘worship’.
According to the council, able-bodied adults and older children fast during the daylight hours from dawn to dusk, as per the Quranic verse that reads as follows:
“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness.”
“Children that have not reached puberty stage, the elderly and those who are physically or mentally incapable of fasting, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and travelers are exempted as per
No food or drink between dawn to dusk
No sexual intimacy between dawn to dusk
Do not engage in idle talk, gossip, lying, quarrelling, cursing, or any form of speech that is unnecessary and has no benefit.
Avoid getting angry and quarrelling at all cost
the following Quranic verse:
‘(Fasting for) a limited number of days.
‘So whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) - then an equal number of days (are to be made up).
‘And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship) - a ransom (as substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day).
‘And whoever volunteers well (for example excess) - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. (Quran 2:184)’.” explained the council.
Worship
To the Islamic faith, fasting is a private act of worship encouraging nearness to God. It is also a form of spiritual discipline and a means of empathising with those less fortunate.
During Ramadan many Muslims go to the mosque and spend several hours praying. In addition to the five daily prayers that are part of the core of Islam, Muslims perform a special prayer called the Tarawih prayer (night prayer).
The council indicated that the fast was broken at sundown with a meal called iftar, often shared among family and friends.
Many gather after nightfall in the mosque for the special communal prayer called Tarawih.
They pleaded with their beloved employers to help make it easy for the Muslim employees to hold their fast in a dignified manner by being patient with them during the 29 or 30 days.
“We also ask our beloved nation of Eswatini to be patient with our Muslim business owners as they will be changing their operating hours due to the month of Ramadan,” said Eswatini Islamic Council.
Worth noting is that Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the most sacred times for Muslims.
During this month, Muslims observe a strict daily fast from dawn until sunset. They are not allowed to eat or drink (not even water) during the daylight hours.
‘Sifisela onkhe ema Muslim aseSwatini nangaphandle tibusiso netilokotfo letinhle kulenyanga lebusisekile yeRamadhan’, said the council.
(The council would like to send its warmest regards and best wishes to all Muslims in Eswatini and around the world in this holy month, Ramadan Mubarak).