Ramadaan – a spiritually uplifting experience

RAMADAAN is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and holds great spiritual significance for Muslims across the globe.

It is characterised by fasting during the day, which includes complete abstention from consuming food and drink from dawn to dusk and additional prayer during the night.

The Qur’an, explaining the purpose of the fast, states: “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before so that you may attain Taqwa.” (Al-Qur’an Chapter 2, Verse 183)

Taqwa is defined as piety, devotion to the Almighty and being conscious of Him in our daily lives.

Ramadaan is a training period to build courage and steadfastness in serving the Almighty while strengthening resolve to refrain from sin. The fast is not merely about abstaining from food and drink. Rather, it is an abstention from every action that is evil and immoral.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said, “He who does not refrain from sinful words and sinful deeds, the Almighty has no need for him to refrain from his food and drink.”

The month of Ramadaan has a special attachment to the Qur’an, the book every Muslim believes to be God’s final revelation to humanity.

Muslims, therefore, strive to complete at least one recitation of the Qur’an during the month of Ramadaan. It is not uncommon for many Muslims to complete multiple recitations of the Qur’an during this month.

During the nights of Ramadaan, an additional prayer called the Taraweeh is performed.

During this prayer, the Qur’an is recited in its entirety, from memory by a Haafiz (title of a person who has memorised the entire Qur’an) in segments, with the completion of the Qur’an generally occurring on the 27th or 29th night of Ramadaan.

Ramadaan is also a teacher of sympathy and compassion for the poor. It is natural when you experience first-hand the difficulty of another you truly appreciate their suffering.

The hunger and thirst that the fasting person willingly endures is a reality millions are forced to bear every day.

Charity

This experience translates into practical expressions of charity and Ramadaan is therefore the most charitable month in the life of a Muslim.

A typical day in the life of a Muslim during Ramadaan starts by awakening in the early hours for a pre-dawn meal called Sehri or Suhoor.

This is followed by individual prayer and supplication to the Almighty. Shortly after the break of dawn, a Muslim will attend the Masjid for the early morning congregational prayer.

The day continues with fasting, taking time to read the Qur’an and focusing thoughts on the Almighty. Sunset heralds the end of the fast with Muslims eagerly awaiting the Azaan, the call to prayer signifying the end of the fast.

The breaking of the fast is called Iftar and dates and water are normally consumed first.

After the Maghrib (postsunset) prayer, the family dines together for the first proper meal of the day. After a short rest, the time for the Esha (night) prayer arrives, followed by the Taraweeh. This is usually followed by a light meal and retiring for the night.

A Ramadaan spent with due reverence is a spiritually uplifting experience. It fosters kindness and compassion for one’s fellow man and devotion and love for the Creator.

The Jamiatul Ulama KZN wishes all Muslims a blessed Ramadaan followed by a joyous day of Eid.