Oct 2007, Opinion-Editorial, printed in the Finger Lakes Times (NY)
Ramadan
By Sardar Anees Ahmad
Waterloo, New York
Many readers are aware that Ramadan has begun. Some are also aware of what fasting during Ramadan entails. However, some also question, “Can a 1400 year old practice have relevance today?”
Before discussing why fasting remains a fundamental tenet of Islam, remember that nearly all major world religions promote fasting. The Bible tells us that prophets Moses, David, Daniel, Elijah, Jesus Christ and his disciples, as well as early Christians all fasted. Jews recently observed a fast on Yom Kippur while the main branches of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism all advocate some form of fasting. Fasting was also a tenet of Sikhism historically. Moreover, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Galen, Paracelsus, and Hippocrates all practiced and prescribed fasting.
For Muslims, Ramadan marks the beginning of the revelation of the Holy Quran. The Arabic word "Ramadan" comes from the root "Ramada," meaning: to become hot as to induce thirst; to burn; to cause warmth. Ramadan is thus named as fasting during this month physically causes thirst, it is designed as a means of burning away ones sins, and because observing proper fasting creates the necessary warmth of love in man for his Maker. Consequently, it is observance of Quranic teachings while fasting that brings about this transformation. From dawn till dusk, able Muslims abstain from all food and drink. But enduring physical discomforts is not the main objective of fasting. Rather, by focus more on abstaining from unrighteous behavior, as well as from practices permissible in everyday life, Islam seeks to refine a Muslim's character, which he observes even after Ramadan ends. One personally shares in the hunger, meager circumstances, and discomforts that are unfortunately a mainstay of the less fortunate sections of society. A Muslim wakes up many hours before dawn for prayer, self-assessment, and communion with God. The Quran is also studied much more during Ramadan. All efforts culminate in the “Night of Decree,” in the last 10 days of Ramadan, in which one can be blessed beyond measure.
Now, Islam emphasizes the care of the destitute so much that alms giving constitute one of the 5 Pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, Muslims magnify these efforts, following Prophet Muhammad’s example. Spending to aid the poor was his daily practice. During Ramadan, however, his efforts multiplied ten-fold. Ultimately Ramadan encourages a Muslim to not only better himself spiritually, but to develop a greater love for mankind.
It is noteworthy that Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. If based on the solar year, one who is fasting would experience the same climate and length of a day every year. But being based on the lunar year, Ramadan arrives ten days earlier each year. Hence, every thirty-six years a Muslim will have fasted every day of the year – short and long, hot and cold. Moreover, the making of a solar calendar demands detailed
mathematical and astronomical knowledge. In contrast, Muhammad instructed, “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” This enables Muslims in every corner of the earth, lettered or unlettered, to start and end the fast all at the same time, without difficulty.
Spiritual benefits’ aside, fasting also carries medical merit. Risk of heart disease, cancer and obesity is decreased. The body is detoxified - eliminating fat cells, abscesses, arterial cholesterol plaques, mucus, and dead, dying and diseased cells - all the while stimulating new cell growth. Quality and depth of sleep is improved, mental clarity is sharpened, fuller breathing is achieved, and a physiological rest to the digestive, assimilative and protective organs is provided. Fasting has also aided in the quitting of smoking. Additionally, fasting has remedied over thirty other health conditions. Naturally, these medical benefits lead to psychological benefits as well – namely peace of mind.
So ponder over why the Quran declares, "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you , so that you may guard against evil" (2:184). Religion, history, and medicine are all witness to the benefits of fasting, illustrating that this teaching of Islam is as relevant today as it was 1400 years ago.
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