Why Do Muslims Fast During Ramadan?
Fasting during Ramadan is a must for Muslims.
Today, on the 13th of May, Muslims end the one-month fasting with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and get back to regular life.
Ramadan is one of the five principles of Islam that governs the life of a devout Muslim. Fasting, with a few exceptions, is the duty of every believer.
What is Ramadan?
The ninth month of the lunar calendar, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year. Ramadan comes from the word “scorching heat.” On the 27th of Ramadan in the year 610, Allah revealed the Quran through Gabriel Arcangel to the Prophet Muhammad, when he retreated to Mount Hira to meditate and fast.
According to Islamic beliefs, during Ramadan, the gates to hell are closed, and the demons are chained. So despite the deprivations, this month is a period of peace and spiritual purification.
The primary purpose of Ramadan is the spiritual and religious immersion and the effort to establish a closer relationship with Allah by praying and reading from the Quran. Muslims spend more time analyzing the Islamic teachings, and it is advisable to read the entire holy book during this month. Believers are expected to refrain from gossiping, lying, brawling, drinking alcohol, and sexual interaction from sunrise to sunset.
The exact time varies every year due to the 11-day difference between the lunar and the Gregorian calendar. It means that Ramadan can fall to any time of the year. The Lunar Observatory Committee in Saudi Arabia decides its beginning and end. The first day of fasting begins when the Committee catches a glimpse of the new moon. If they cannot see it with naked eyes due to clouds or smog, they calculate its position in the sky.
When the holy month begins, everyone wishes “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Happy Ramadan” in a message or email and decorates the homes with “Ramadan lamps.”
Fasting During Ramadan
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a must for all Muslims. But it is forbidden for those that are put into danger or encounter too many problems through fasting. These include small children, the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, diabetics, and any other patient or travelers. Women having their period cannot do the fasting either. If someone fails to accomplish the fasting prescribed by the religion, he has to do that later.
You can think that it is a good way of going on a diet. However, it might be the contrary as, after sunset, people make up for the starvation and tend to eat without limit. This month, the number of accidents related to dehydration, sleeplessness, and fatigue increases as before people are always in a hurry and drive impatiently.
In most Muslim countries, the moral police controls the adherence to Ramadan, and Muslims can be fined or imprisoned for breaking it. In Dubai, for example, live a lot of foreign workers from Western countries. Here these foreigners are separated from the locals in the restaurants by a curtain. In Saud Arabia, the restaurants keep closed.
It is harder to do the fast in the first few days, but the body and organs get soon used to that, and Muslims say that this cleansing is very healthy. The organs get some rest, and the Muslims work only in moderation. By self-restraint, they show their commitment to Allah, atone for their sins, and thereby remind themselves of the suffering of the needy.
At sunrise, before the first prayer, they eat a copious breakfast (suhur) and dinner (iftar) after the evening prayer. Dates are especially favored because they are easy to digest and are rich in nutrients.
Eid Al-Fitr, the End of Ramadan
The month of Ramadan concludes with the two-day celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration begins with a mutual prayer, and then the family eats together to break the fast. They gift each other and pay tribute to the deceased family members.
Wealthy people usually distribute food, clothing, and money to the needy on this day. After a month of self-restraint and inner peace, Muslims return to their everyday lives.
But some begin a six-day fast on this day as, according to the Islamic belief, good deeds will count ten times when it comes to the “final judgment.”
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