(Top) Photo shows people getting into the mosque for prayers. (Above) An elderly muslim performs 'wudhu' before praying at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque. Pictures: BT file

Sobrina Rosli
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Friday, August 6, 2010
WITH the holy month of Ramadhan just around the corner, Muslims around the world will be carrying out their responsibility to perform one of the five pillars of Islam the act of fasting from dawn to dusk for one month.

The definition of fasting in the month of Ramadhan means “to abstain”. The practice is mainly to test the level of endurance to fight off the temptations of life that triggers the feelings of desire.

I grew up in multi-cultured environment whereby I studied in an international school whilst my early years of adulthood has led me to work at several establishments where the staff were of different faiths. With regards to fasting, I remember the responses I get from the people I have had the opportunity to work or study with. Some would ask why do Muslims fast in Ramadhan, whilst others would express their feelings towards fasting emphasising their certainty of not being able to fulfil such a task.

Fasting is not an easy task for everyone, even for a Muslim like myself. Gone were the days of being able to get away with fasting for only half a day as part of coaching from my parents when I was young. I think for a Muslim to be able to appreciate the true meaning of the holy month of Ramadhan, one has to understand the concept behind the practice and what it means to Muslim.

Maybe it is easier to get away with fasting if one was, for example, studying abroad. This is because one is in a location far away from the scrutinising eyes and expectations of society at home.

When an individual is in the midst of his society, that individual may feel left out if one was not to conform to the practice of fasting during Ramadhan.

However, the holy month of Ramadhan does not require one to fast in order to be part of society during that month, nor does it require fasting from a Muslim to inaugurate the month of Ramadhan. The month of Ramadhan will happen whether fasting is carried out or not by its followers because it is a practice that is suppose to be carried out only for the sake of the Muslim and no one else’s.

Fasting allows a Muslim to determine their position in the eye of the Creator. The endurance of hunger symbolises the strength of one’s faith and confidence towards one’s Creator.

While growing up, my parents educated us of the meaning behind fasting as a means to be in the shoes of the poor who experience hunger on a daily basis. The act of fasting would then create feelings of sympathy, empathy and the importance of accomplishing good deeds towards the poor.

However, with the increase of age and knowledge, the definition of fasting widens as it comprises additional exercises that will ensure the act of fasting is complete.

One may ask, if fasting is only meant to remind us of the poor then why not just let the rich fast. Fasting in Islam is not made specifically for certain groups of people but an obligation for all Muslims. The practice emphasises on faith, sacrifice and will power.

The act of fasting then becomes a stage for spiritual exercise as it would increase and cultivate the nature of a Muslim, and sharpen the consciousness of the Muslim mind. The bodily functions such as sight, hearing and talk are consciously made to do good deeds as opposed to carrying out ill deeds.

Fasting cultivates courage, fortitude and fighting mind through concentration during the practice. The holy month of Ramadhan is also a time of reflection as worldly desires triggers over indulgence, pride, haughtiness, envy and anger.

During this month, the experience of hunger is then a reminder to Muslims that material gain can easily be taken away, thus encouraging values of humility and submission.

This is also why charity is encouraged during Ramadhan. The act of fasting can be compared as a preparation tool to encounter and experience hardships, and fasting provides lessons of punctuality and discipline whereby a Muslim is required to adhere to the various time schedules during the month. Fasting also helps to develop strength for a person’s mental, spiritual and physical capacities which is essential for any human being.

The practice is a form of spiritual rehabilitation as the senses and concentration are channelled towards abstaining from the bad elements that life has to offer in which it will help the mind and heart recuperate. Islam also says that fasting will help to form a good heart and mind that are based on good values.

However, the effectiveness of the practice still goes down on how it is carried out and how far efforts are refined towards accomplishing the act of fasting.

In other words, the holy month of Ramadhan is an intensive course for the physical and spiritual hygiene whereby the lessons are not to be kept within the month itself but utilised throughout the course of life of a Muslim in which the individual will strive to improve oneself for the future.

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