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Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (Council of Muslim Theologians), Johannesburg |
| Title: | A soul-satisfying experience |
| Posted: | 2 |
| Author: | Moulana Ebrahim Bham |
| Source: | T |
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A
soul-satisfying experience The fast of Ramadan provides the opportunity to purify the body in order to better look after the soul By Moulana Ebrahim Bham As Muslims come to the end of the holy month of Ramadan there is a need to reflect on the reasons and the spiritual benefits of the month-long fast. Ramadan, being the highlight of the Islamic calendar, has a very special spiritual meaning for Muslims. Although it may seem like an epic uphill battle between spirit and flesh, there are many reasons for, and benefits that flow from, this month. Fasting is not unique to Islam. It is, in fact, an age-old tradition with differing approaches and manners for people of different ages, faiths and creeds. Like other faiths, Islam believes that humans are both body and soul. In this respect Islam emphasises the fact that the soul, and not the body, determines the value of the individual. It is, after all, the soul that returns to its creator to account for his or her deeds, while the body is merely a temporary vehicle that facilitates the passage of the soul through this world. This is why the month of Ramadan provides Muslims with an opportunity to purify the body by way of fasting, and in this way, look after the needs of the soul. For Muslims, the fast involves abstention from food, drink, the ingestion of any other items and also engaging in sexual acts for a period that extends from a little before sunrise to the time of sunset. The day's fast is traditionally concluded at a mosque where people gather to share food and to enjoy the company of fellow believers. Most people will agree that our daily lives are taken up by work, travel, worries and the small details of life that are all focused on achieving some kind of satisfaction of the many needs of the body. In this daily grind there is little room for thoughts on spirituality or religious obligations. In today's fast-paced consumer society the pleasure principle of instant gratification is promoted on every billboard, with the fulfilment of artificial needs created for us by a glittering global capitalist world being the main objective of our daily activities. In Islam we believe that Allah is the only creator and sustainer, and every day spent fasting will underline this realisation in the mind and body of the fasting person. Temptations abound in our society, where anything from disposable nappies to sex can be bought at any time of the day or night. The discipline of fasting, of having the willpower not to buy that cold drink on a hot afternoon while fasting, may also help a Muslim to close the doors of the desires and thus abstain from the many temptations that may cross the path of the believer outside of the month of Ramadan. Aside from the spiritual benefits of learning how to control the desires, there is also an important social dimension to the month. It strengthens a believer's ability to inculcate the spirit of self-sacrifice while emphasising important Islamic principles of being of service to humanity. It forces people to become more conscious of their actions. For example, it is expected of the believer to be more conscious of abstaining from major sins such as backbiting and lustful gazes directed at the opposite sex. Muslims are instructed to give more attention to the needs of others and to show compassion to those less fortunate than themselves. For those among us who live affluent lives, or who have sufficient means to eat three meals per day, fasting forces those people to experience hunger and deprivation. In keeping with the spirit of empathy for the poor and destitute, Muslims are commanded to offer an additional obligatory charity for the poor before the end of the month. More than anything, fasting creates the opportunity for a man to become more mindful of his Lord and helps to fashion an awareness of God, the most effective moderator in the life of man. The month of Ramadan is also an occasion where Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Qur'an. Participation in an additional prayer session that takes place in the mosque every night of this month is also highly beneficial and forms part of the overall experience of the beauty of the recitation of the Qur'an. Balance and moderation, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad, forms a firm foundation for the manner in which the month of Ramadan should also be approached. The Prophet Muhammad forbade excessive fasting, where people may be tempted to carry on fasting after sunset, or to overdo certain good things prescribed to man by Allah. The Prophet Muhammad preferred that believers engage in acts of worship that are sustainable in the long-term, and not untenable self-exertion. To this end the Prophet Muhammad said: "I fast and break my fast, pray and sleep, marry…" This means that, like in the case of fasting, Muslims should approach all aspects of their lives with a spirit of seeking balance. The month of Ramadan teaches one that in the search for worldly sustenance and riches there should be a balance between the needs of the body and the ultimate goal of steering the soul back to the heavens and its creator. And this is, admittedly, not an easy task, but may be made somewhat easier by spending time to reflect on the condition of the soul during this holy month. The day of Eid usually follows the sighting of the new moon, which heralds the end of the month. Eid can be described as a graduation and is naturally a day of joy. Eid is also a day of gratitude wherein one should be thankful towards God for allowing one to pass through the month. Eid should therefore be spent in a manner fitting its auspicious spiritual nature, and not as a day to overindulge. Muslims should not spend the day engaging in deeds that are antithetical to the spirit of Ramadan. Published on the web by Star on October 10, 2007. © Star 2007. All rights reserved. |
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http://www.islamsa.org.za