The Muslim month of Ramadan is here! You're probably thinking, 'you poor souls, you can't eat or drink anything during the day, right?' I'm here to tell you something that will probably have most of you who have never tried it dropping your jaws: Muslims look forward to Ramadan for the rest of the year after it's over, and most don't want it to end. It's like Christmas for 28 days (or 29), and then some more fun when Eid comes! Most Muslims look forward to Ramadan like little Christian kids look forward to opening presents on Christmas day. How can this be? Let me explain...
Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, is the Muslims' most blessed month. Fasting during this month is one of Islam's main pillars, and obligatory for all who are able. An observant Muslim therefore abstains from eating, drinking, and even chewing gum or candy from dawn until dusk, everyday for the entire month. This usually requires getting up at 4:30 am or so (before dawn begins, whatever time that may be) to eat breakfast, called suhoor. This establishes a routine, which the body gets used to. Although this may look daunting to an outsider, the spiritual satisfaction, as well as the connection to one's body that a Muslim achieves by fasting is indescribably gratifying.
Ramadan is a time for the body and soul to be cleansed, and for spirits to be renewed. If one is sincere in their fast, most of the sins that they have committed since the last Ramadan are forgiven, Allah (God) Willing. The person is purified. In order to make the most of this month, Muslims spend their time in intensive worship: praying extra prayers on top of the 5-daily (mandatory) prayers, reading more Qur'an, doing more good deeds and charitable acts, and spending more time at the mosque. Every moment of the month is a blessing. The reward from God for good deeds is increased many fold. Many people see this as a time for renewal, almost like a baptism; they try extra hard to continue to abstain from their previous sins for the rest of the year.
The effects of this cleansing are experienced by the worshipper down to the most inner core of the heart; the person often feels more relaxed, calmer, and at peace with their self. The month offers a much-welcomed break for most Muslims from their usual routines. The spiritual renewal helps to strengthen them in their faith, and it fosters a kind of inner platform of support to get people through the rest of the year, no matter how hard one's life may be.
One of the benefits of Ramadan is that it strengthens one's will through tests. Abstaining from the body's carnal pleasures and desires such as food, drink, and sexual relations (with one's spouse, as is the only way permitted in Islam) for the daylight hours is not easy for all. The purpose, however, is that the person is not pre-occupied with their bodily needs, but rather that they look past these carnal needs to focus on fine-tuning their spiritual needs. The abstinence is a test for the individual's will to control their desires, and to break the cycle of overindulgence. Furthermore, a Muslim is able to sympathize with the less fortunate, especially those who are suffering from hunger. A deeper gratitude for family and friends is also experienced as the month draws communities closer together, and Muslims become even more helpful and close-knit than usual. Families and friends often gather at the time of the closing of the day's fast, called iftar time. They break the fast together, pray together, and eat dinner together. This time spent together fosters a special bonding with others, which makes it even more beautiful when people see that they are not alone--whether that be physically alone by being separated from others, alone from lack of friendships and human bonding with others on an emotional level, or alone in the trials, and sometimes difficulties, of fasting.
This month is a special time for the over one billion Muslims in the world. Hopefully this article sheds some light on the subject and answers some questions. Ramadan Mubarak (or a blessed Ramadan) to all! During this most beautiful of months, may we all find the comfort and peace that we need to sustain us through the year.
Questions? Feel free to write Aminah at amohamma@brynmawr.edu
1. Proofreader's Notes
I really like this article. It gets straight to the point and very informative. The intro totally grabs the reader. Here are some minor changes:Paragraph 2:
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Changed "Although this may look daunting to an outsider, the spiritual satisfaction, as well as connection to one's body that a Muslim achieves by doing this is beyond words." to "Although this may look daunting to an outsider, the spiritual satisfaction, as well as the connection to one's body that a Muslim achieves by fasting is beyond words." Additional: can you say something more than just "beyond words"?
Paragraph 3:
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Changed "The month offers a much-welcomed break for most from their usual routines. The spiritual renewal helps to strengthen Muslims in their faith, and it fosters a kind of inner platform of support to get people through the rest of the year, no matter how hard one's life may be." to "The month offers a much-welcomed break for most Muslims from their usual routines. The spiritual renewal helps to strengthen them in their faith, and it fosters a kind of inner platform of support to get people through the rest of the year, no matter how hard one's life may be." Question: Is "Willing" suppose to be capitalized? I did a search on google and many websites doesn't have it capitalized.
Paragraph 4:
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Deleted "practiced by many" in the sentence: "The abstinence is a test for the individual's will to control their desires, and to break the cycle of overindulgence practiced by many." Changed "Furthermore, a Muslim is able to sympathize with those less fortunate, especially with less fortunate who are suffering from hunger." to "Furthermore, a Muslim is able to sympathize with the less fortunate, especially those who are suffering from hunger." Made into two sentences "Families and friends often gather at the time of the closing of the day's fast, called iftar time . They break the fast together, pray together, and eat dinner together." In last sentence, Changed "The time is a time for bonding with others, which makes it even more beautiful when people see that they are not alone." to "The wonderful aspect during this time spent with others is that it helps people to abandon any feelings of loneliness." Note: This last sentence sounded awkward. If you don't like my suggestion, feel free to change or edit it.
That's it for now. I've learned a lot about Ramadan from your article. Thanks for adding to Sage's pool of knowledge! Hehe. ---Karen
