Ramadan is not all about the do’s and don’ts. Explore the true meaning of Ramadan and get involved no matter your belief.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar calendar month. As the lunar year is 10 days shorter than the seasonal calendar, Ramadan falls at the same time every 33 years. What takes place during this month is a spiritual practice called fasting, prescribed by the Lord of humankind, and can be found mentioned in Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Fasting is a part of Islam which literally means to submit and surrender, and those who practice this submission are called Muslims. One of the 5 outer acts of worship, a fasting person must abstain from eating, drinking, ill feelings, wrongful acts, intimate relation with one’s spouse, and includes no smoking and no chewing gum.
Many people ask, what is the purpose of Ramadan?
For Muslims it is meant to be a path to achieve piety and a way to become more conscientious; keeping your behavior in check from how you speak to how you think, feel, and treat others. The result is to become self-aware or mindful of all aspects of your daily life, your values and actions and to think about the choices you make. Additionally, fasting teaches patience, control of your impulses and desires, awareness of your short comings so that you can act to correct them, and to become effectively a more disciplined human being that is simply striving and focused on choosing what’s right over what’s wrong.
For those who are new to the Ramadan experience, here are some suggestions:
Enjoy a disruption from the usual patterns of the day. In Ramadan we sleep, wakeup, eat, speak and act differently during the month. Try some of these disruptions for yourself by:
- While you can still eat and drink during the day in private, why not holdoff as best as you can and join an Iftar meal at the breaking of the fast at sunset. It’s a great time to gather as families, friends, and colleagues. A unique concept where everyone within a community pause to gather for a well anticipated meal and enjoy each other’s company.
- Be less driven to impress or attract attention – give yourself a makeover or “makeunder”. Choose modest, loose fitting clothes while maintaining a fresh and clean appearance, light makeup, perfume or cologne.
- Talk less, reflect more and zero foul language, gossip and backbiting; watch your body language and attitude, be peaceful and kind. Mind others and have empathy for one another. It’s not how you are treated it’s how you treat others, and how you respond to others. (particularly in the first few days of fasting some are very short tempered by the lack of caffeine and or nicotine)
- Enjoy being more energetic and lively at night and calm and subdued during the day.
- Capitalize on the spirit of giving and caring for others, be more charitable and observant of those who are less fortunate around you.
- Try to fast on a Friday or a Saturday, just to get the hang of it and see for yourself how it feels and how it may feed your soul.
- Adjust and modify your standard meeting and event schedules, travel plans and driving habits, timings, and places you go during the month of Ramadan. Avoid driving just before Iftar time if possible.
Furthermore, you may want to;
- Get closer to a fasting friend, join your neighbors and be part of the Ramadan days and nights.
- See where there are Iftar gatherings for the poor, either at a nearby Mosque, or an Iftar Tent, and take them some fruits, juices or a sweet. Do this as a family and involve the kids – an exercise of sharing is caring.
- Invite friends or neighbors to your home for Iftar. Its spiritually uplifting.
- Join your Muslim friends in going to the Mosque to experience the prayer, where people from all walks of life are gathered as one. Inquire about the etiquette and protocols from your Muslim friends.
Avoid Judgements and Misconception:
- Misconception #1 – Ramadan is a month when people sleep less and eat more, productivity is reduced, lots of food goes to waste and people struggle to cope with such a difficult practice. Although some may have picked up these bad habits while fasting, the majority benefit greatly and capitalize on its’ purpose.
- Misconception #2 – Fasting is not healthy; and not drinking all day leads to dehydration and could cause you to get sick. Not true when done right. Today, many researchers and health findings are validating how fasting could benefit one’s health if done correctly and dietitians recommend fasting for certain health ailments.
- Everyone must fast regardless. Not true! The traveler, sick, menstruating, pregnant, breast feeding, elderly, and little ones don’t have to fast.
Finally, join in the festivities of Eid and give. Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon which means the beginning of a new lunar month marking the first day of celebration. At dawn on Eid everyone must drink or eat something. No more fasting as this is not permissible. The entire community will dress in new attire called EID clothes, then go to pray the special prayer which takes place shortly after sunrise. Afterwards Eid blessings and congratulations (Eid Mubarak!) are shared and visit their relatives starting with the eldest in the family and closest kin. For example, grandparents and parents are visited first, moving on to aunts and uncles, cousins and the close neighbors and friends. Some prepare a special breakfast or go out as a family, and some may choose to take advantage of the days off to go on a short vacation.
Part of the requirements at the end of Ramadan is the giving of Zakat. You may see and hear this word everywhere towards the end of Ramadan as a reminder of the obligatory act of charity that must take place before the Eid prayer. Given by the head of household on behalf of every member of the family, it is the process of feeding the poor members of the community or people in countries with the most need. It is estimated at about 25AED per family member.
For a much deeper dive into Ramadan join me in my workshop at Modul University in JLT on May 12th at 2pm
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