Monday, September 25, 2006

The "Holy Ramadan"

The Fast of Ramadan:

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm)literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.

12 comments:

Deepak Gopi said...

How is Ramzan going.
May God the Almighty shower all his blessings upon you.

High Power Rocketry said...

Very interesting. My friend used to celebrate ramadan, I always had to respect his fasting and not eat around him.

I fear for much violence in Iraq however.

Deepak Gopi said...

Hi Noushad;
My blog is lost. If i could not recover I am thinking of creating a
new one

Deepak Gopi said...

At last I recovered

krystyna said...

Thanks for this post. Now I know more about this remarkable Holy Ramadan.
Beautiful picture!
Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking - so it is Holy!
Blessing to you !

High Power Rocketry said...

VEr cute kid.

Anonymous said...

Happy Ramadan month my friend!! Keep up the good work :)

Noushu says: said...

Ramadan is a time in which all auspicisous activities are done. fasting forms only a small part of it.
without doing nice things to humanity fasting is futile.

serenity said...

noushad,
Thank you for this lovely place, and for this lovely post. You have taught me so much more about Ramadan than I knew before reading your words.

In gratitude I wish you peace.

krystyna said...

When begin and finish Ramadan and why this time?

dumbdodi said...

Wish you happy Ramzan....I greatly respect this fasting...

Unknown said...

Noushad, Ramadan is a special part of the year, I remember living in a hostel with some muslim girls and they would fast this time of year. I also fast when I need more guidance in prayer and think it's a wonderful way of getting closer to God.
May you have a wonderful Ramadan.