Ramadhan - Sunrise to Sunset
Bismillahirrahmanirraheem - In the name of God, the Most Beneficent, Most Merciful
This year, many Muslims around the world began Ramadhan on the 16th Nov 2001, the start of the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar 1422AH. To me, Ramadhan is a time when through fasting and breaking the fast, I feel an increased sense of unity with fellow Muslims within my community, at the mosque and with my family.
Ramadhan and fasting have become synonymous. In the literal sense fasting is the abstinence from food, drink and sexual intercourse between sunrise and sunset, however Ramadhan is much more than going without food. Personally, it is a time, which draws me into a reflective and more humble state of mind. Many world religions, along with Jews and Christians, share in the same belief of fasting as a path to spirituality, marked with the holy days of Yom Kippur and Lent.
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwa." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:183]
Taqwa can be translated as "consciousness of God", and brings Ramadhan to light as the month for inner reflection, cleansing and heightened devotion. Fasting is the means, but not the end. Ramadhan is a time to contemplate and recite the Qur'aan and to re-affirm our relationship with the Divine. Whatever our faith, I believe we all seek time when we can by closer to God.
Ramadhan is also an opportunity to develop our qualities of endurance, self-restraint and self-assurance. Through the simple process of abstaining from food and drink, it evokes a profound awareness of, and gratitude for, the abundance in my own life. Whilst going without food and drink, it also awakens compassion and solidarity with all others, in particular the poor and needy no matter what faith or corner of the world they may be.
Before the start of the fast at sunrise, a snack called sahar is eaten. In the past, and in some parts of the world today, this time of day is determined when a black and a white thread can not be distinguished from one another when held up together outside. The food taken during sahar is said to be a food of barakath (blessing). It is traditional in my family who come from Daressalaam in Tanzania, to have a hot salty East African drink made from a type of roasted flour and fresh coconut called oojee which is deliciously refreshing. At the end of each day the fast is broken directly after evening prayers, and often by eating a date, followed by a meal called the ifthar.
The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said that if a person feeds someone to break his fast, he/she will also receive the same amount of good deeds written for the person who fasted. Happily, this seems to be of mutual benefit! My partner especially likes to prepare meals for me during this time, and benefits indirectly from this aspect of Ramadhan.
The evening of the 23rd day of the month marks my favourite, and one of the most special nights of the year for Muslims as Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power) is observed. It is believed that on this night, Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) first received the revelation of the Holy Qur'aan. Verses from the Qur'aan say that this night is better than a thousand months and that the Angels are on vigil throughout the night. Any prayer or deed is returned manifold and thankfully, all wrong deeds are forgiven. On this night, I remember even more so, friends and family and all the people that I love, and wish the best for them in my prayers. It is a night not to be missed, and perhaps because we stay up all night praying for all aspects of life, when the dawn comes, I feel charged with positive energy, cleansed and reborn.
Eid-Ul-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking) follows the blessed month of Ramadhan. It is a day when Muslims typically rise early. It is also a special day when Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best clothes and attend the special Eid prayer that is performed in congregation. We wish each other Eid Mubaarak! At this time children are normally given sweets and gifts, and female family members are given special gifts by their loved ones. Here there are similarities to the festivities and traditions of giving and receiving Christmas presents. Also this year, less than a couple of weeks will separate Eid and Christmas and brings the opportunity for double celebrations for different reasons.
Outside of this community, however there are times during Ramadhan when I feel a sense of isolation, as my clock appears to tick at a different pace to my fellow non-Muslim work colleagues and friends, and in particular to my partner who is not Muslim.
As Ramadhan draws me closer to my community and my faith, the irony is that for my partner and myself, it highlights our differences as a time when we are not synchronized. In some respects this could be seen as a threat to our relationship, and something to draw us apart. To an extent it does. We choose to see these times as opportunities for both of us to grow and develop, and it is a given within our relationship that we both need to invest time away to connect more deeply with the Divine.
So, in the same way in which a pendulum swings away and then back, we find ourselves in time returning once again in step with one another, bringing different experiences and perspectives to one another to share. Perhaps it is this very diversity which creates the ebb and flow that enriches our lives, not just within our relationship, but for all other people in interfaith relationships, our families, the communities in which we live, and our world.
Through making a conscious effort, we ensure that we do come back together. It is through a shared acceptance of both our similarities and differences, that we are able to appreciate our positive connection. For the great variety of spiritual expression, and for the spiritual freedom which enables us to be together despite our differences, we count ourselves blessed. During this time, we hope and pray for others in those places where spiritual self determination is constrained or punished, that they may also feel the liberation to practice what they believe and to live side by side in peace. Insh-Allah.
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