Ramadan, the month of fasting and tolerance
Regional, Religion, 12/21/1998

On Saturday and Monday all practicing Muslims of the world started fasting.

One aspect of fasting is that it is a physical act of devotion and a spiritual exercise that had existed since ancient times. The old Egyptians used to fast as well as the Chinese and the Greeks. When Islam came, fasting was already known to the people of the scriptures, the Jews and Christians. Almighty God says in the glorious Koran in the Surah (the cow); In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the merciful.: " O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil)."

Nevertheless, lasting, fasting according to those and the other nations has a different meaning and takes different forms. However, way long before that and during God's creation of man, as Prophet Muhammad says, it had been the torture and pain of fasting and not of fire that finally disciplined the ego of man forcing it to confess and testify that God Almighty and not the ego is the Ruler and Master of the universe. In Arabic, fasting means the refrainment from doing some thing; thus if a person abstains from speaking or eating, or he does not talk or eat, he is said to be fasting. And accordingly, the saying of God the Knower of all things in the Surah (Mary)" Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal," is in fact a fast from speaking. In Islamic jurisprudence, fasting means; abstinence from fast breakers from dawn until the time of sunset, with the intention to fast during the night prior to the day of fasting.

Furthermore, fasting the holy month of Ramadan bears very special significance and is fully dealt with in the Holy Koran. Shedding more lights in this regard, Prophet Muhammad says: " Islam is based on five principles: the creed that there is no God But Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God, the performance of prayers, the almsgiving, the fasting of Ramadan and the pilgrimage to the House (Mecca).

The start of Ramadan is usually decided by the judge of Islamic Jurisprudence (Mufti) when two Jurassic witnesses sight the crescent (new moon) on the 29th night of Shabaan ( month preceding Ramadan) or when a large group sees the crescent. If all fail to see the crescent the Mufti then announces the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan when Shabaan completes 30 days in full.

Throughout Ramadan, believers strictly observe times assigned for fasting. Before break of dawn or hearing the Muezen ( call for prayer), Muslims observing the fast take (Suhour) an early breakfast in compliance with the prophet's teachings. At sunset and upon hearing al-Maghreb( evening) Azan believers and fasting by having al-Iftar meal. The Quran says in Surah (the Cow):.." and eat and drink until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of dawn. Then strictly observe fast till nightfall." However, in countries where the days or nights are very long, so that there in only left a small part of the day or the night, people estimate the day or the night according to the time of the nearest Islamic country..." Allah desireth for you ease, He desireth not hardship for you; and ( He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that Pre-adventure ye may be thankful."

Hence fasting develops a fear and a belief in God, the Lord of the Worlds consolidates the exercise of patience, and strengthens the soul and will. The faster should always have the character of a true believer so that his fasting would be complete.

Previous Stories:
  Ramadan starts today   (12/30/1997)

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