Month of Abstinence

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mrafi
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Month of Abstinence

Post by mrafi »

This is an article I had written for Dawn some years back:

THE TRUE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN
PROF. MOHAMMED RAFI

The month of Ramadan returns every year to remind us that it has a special significance in Islam and that the Quran was revealed in this month. It is also a month of thanksgiving as the spirit of fasting and abstinence leads us to a better understanding of the principles on which a Muslim should model his life. Considering the universality of Islam and the Quran being its primary source, this month is important not only for the Muslims but all mankind. The Quran guides mankind on all aspects of life including social, economical, cultural and self-preservation issues. It tells us that if humanity would follow its principles it will re-discover the paradise that was lost by man as a result of disobeying God. Ironically Muslims, who should have solved the problems of humanity are unable to solve their own problems. People forget that Ramadan teaches us to go all out to help others. Once some people walked to the Nabi (SAW) and asked, ‘How can we serve God?’. ‘If you want to serve God then serve humanity. Allah is in assistance of His servants as long as they are in the assistance of others’ was the answer.
The word for ‘fasting’ in Arabic comes from ‘Sawm’ which means to abstain, to stop or hold oneself. Some of the derivatives of the word are ‘Saaem’ (male who fasts) ‘Saeema’ (female who fasts). Incidentally in English the word used for this acivity (fasting) is taken not for the meaning of speed, but for another application of the word i.e. to be strong and resilient as in acid-fast o steadfast. Thus the spirit of Ramadan is not merely remaining hungry, butto abstain from all kinds of wrong things and acts. The basic purpose is to develop and strengthen the human personality that would benefit the humanity at large. ‘The only abiding thing on earth is that which benefits humanity’ (13:17).The exercise continues for a month so that a Muslim becomes accustomed to a lifestyle of God-consciousness (Taqwa). It is really pathetic to see Muslims reverting back to their old life style in the other eleven months.

Abstinence is common to all religions. Moses fasted for forty days prior to revelation (Exodus 24:18). Jesus fasted for the same number of days before attaining prophethood (Mathew 4:2). The Quran says, ‘O ye who believe; fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may ward off evil’ (2:183). According to Amir Ali (Spirit of Islam) ‘The institution of fasting of has legitimate object restraining the passion by abstinence for a limited and definite period, from all gratification of senses and directing the overflow of animal spirits into a healthy channel’.
According to the Quran, ‘Allah intends every facility for you. He does not intend hardship for you so that you can complete the number of days and see that you can prevail (over non-divine systems) with what He has guided you with, so that you can be grateful (2:185). The verse clearly indicates that Ramadan is not all about staying hungry without bringing a marked change in ourdaily lives. Even retreating inside mosques in isolation in the Quranic sense is very different from the traditional practise of shutting oneself inside a Mosque for marathon personal prayer. ‘Aakefeen’ means those who help in the grand design of things in a true Islamic society during the obligatory month of Ramadan. The Quran itself tells us that the selection of Ramadan for the purpose of fasting is to celebrate the revelation and should be followed in earnest to submit to its directives with patience, perseverance and steadfastness and to thank God for this opportunity. The Quran came when the whole world was enveloped indarkness, degradation, immorality and injustice. It came to establish wisdom and knowledge and to dispel all darkness. The month is not meant to increase the consumption of food, neither its message is to shirk responsibilities and duties. Dedication and rededication for the entire year and ultimately the entire life should be the objective of Ramadan. Muslims seem to ignore the spirit and purpose of Ramadan and instead finish (not understand and apply) the Quran in one, ten, six and three days. The book revealed in this month was meant to be read carefully with rapt attention, understood and finally implemented in our lives. The form and rituals have superimposed the spirit; that is why we see millions and millions fasting, reciting, paying, going for Umrah and yet the Muslims are the most degraded and downtrodden people inthe world. The promise of Allah is that He honours those who follow His directives. The Muslims are aware of the fact that they fast during Ramadan because it is directive of the Almighty in the Quran.(2:183) Similarly all directives of Allah should be obeyed to receive the promised blessings of Allah. There is no short cut to a peaceful life here and the hereafter. Everything depends upon our submission to the Divine message. The choice is ours. It should also be remembered that we cannot change the consequences of our choice. Guidance is there for us to follow or not.
We should ask ourselves if there any other book that has been completely memorized by countless Muslims like the Quran? Is there any other book recited and listened to by millions of people? The simple answer is ‘no’. This Ramadan the Muslims should resolve to study the Quran and apply it practically as far as possible in their lives. Simply reciting the Book is not enough. Quran can only help those who live by it and not those who only recite it. While fasting we have enough time to think. Allah cannot force us to think. It has to be our choice. We face the consequences of our decisions and choices every day. Then how can we escape the consequences of the choice regarding the book of Allah. The meaning of Ramadan today is to have a feasty ‘Sehri’ and ‘Iftar’. During the daytime intolerance, cheating, over charging, adulteration, artificial shortage of commodities, arriving late for work and leaving early, quarrelling over petty issues are common practise. The month culminates in confusion over moon sighting. As soon as the month is over; its business as usual.
Tolerance and respect for others is another objective of Ramadan. It teaches us that there is no coercion or compulsion in Islam (2:250). Writing about Islam, the Christian missionaryT.W.Arnold says,‘for any organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on non-Muslim population or if any systematic persecution intended to stamp out Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the Caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain.’ Perhaps the most difficult thing while fasting is to keep yourself under control on all matters. During the course of our daily lives we come across people and problems. In the true spirit of Islam and Ramadan, our attitude should be that of a person who is conscious of the values of Islam. His behaviour should reflect his positive character. Every minute of the day we have to keep in mind the way our Nabi (SAW) behaved. The month long training should be enough to bring marked changes in our personality and attitude. The importance we give to the last ten days should continue when the month is over. In this month Muslims are made habitual to ear the pangs of hunger and thirst to revitalize new inspirations in life – a memoria technical to reinvigorate the memorandum in which the direct link between God and man is refreshed to consolidate the Law of Requital and develop him into a better human being. It provides us an opportunity to evaluate the sum total of our deeds and consequences spread over the whole year and to oversee to what extent we have marched ahead. Other months should not be different from Ramadan in spirit and practice; otherwise fasting in this month will only be an exercise in futility.
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