A whole month abstaining from food and water. Muslims all over the world, myself included, will be committing to fast from dawn until dusk for 30 days. Why do we do it?
Fasting is a pillar of Islam. It is an obligation upon all Muslims who are in good health to keep these fasts. It’s a time to reflect, reconsider, and refresh.
The air usually feels different at this time too. Dr. Mufti Abdur-Rahman Ibn Yusuf Mangera described it best at his Cambridge Central Mosque’s sermon¹. The doors of Hell are closed and the doors of Heaven are opened. There is a metaphysical difference in the Universe.
Even the smell of hot rice is nostalgic when it comes to breaking the fast at evening. All those memories come rushing back, ready to sit together as a family, to feast after a day of hunger.
I remember one saying that stuck with me as a kid. Truthfully, I can’t remember if it was a scholar or an Uncle who said it:
If you use the whole month of Ramadan, solely for not having food and water, and nothing else, you’re no better than a dog tied to a pole, doing the same.
The detox of having no food has already become a mainstream belief. Many scientists and fitness experts advocate intermittent fasting as a great reset for the body²’³.
However, in Ramadan the goal is to get closer to Allah (God).
Allah says in the Quran: “And I created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me”.⁴
Our sole purpose as Muslims is to get closer to the Creator of the universe and worship Him.
I’ve had dips in faith as does any human walking this Earth, but Alhamdullilah (Praise be to God) there is no greater pleasure I’ve experienced than Salat (Prayer) – also called Namaaz if you grew up in a Pakistani household.
Ramadan gives me time to reflect on what’s most important. After all, everything else in this world is fickle and temporary.
It is reported that the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said: “The likeness of this world in comparison to the Hereafter is that of anyone of you dipping his finger into the sea: let him see what he brings forth.”⁵
Whether that be relationships, family, friends, career, or money. These things come and go. Obviously, it’s important to strive for success and I do my best. But the further you plough through life, the more of what’s really important becomes more apparent.
The world is a risky investment.
It was Iqbal, the esteemed poet of the subcontinent, who said, when addressing the modern Muslim of the 1910s, “You have neither the wealth of Uthman, nor the poverty of Ali”.⁶
Uthman-e-Ghani (Uthman the Generous) was an affluent companion of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. There are many stories of him offering his wealth to the cause of Islam⁷. Likewise, Ali ibn Abi Talib, often named Asadullah, The Lion of God, was a poorer man, but an upright warrior, taking to the battlefield many a time, as well as being a spiritual master in most Sufi-Sunni Orders⁸.
Whereas today we have become accustomed to valuing people on what they do for their livelihood and how they put their bread on the table before we offer our respect, Iqbal’s line greatly describes Man’s value as intrinsic.
It’s his actions and intention that make the Man. Not his material possessions and status.
Wa’ laqad karamna Bani-Adam
Verily, We have honoured the Children of Adam –
Surah Al-Isra, Verse 70⁹’¹⁰
And where depression and anxiety are rife¹¹, new paradigms are needed.
In my experience as a supervisor in a UK workplace, I don’t recall one colleague that didn’t have an existing mental health, anxiety, or depressive episode that they had been battling with during their time on the job. This was across generation, race, and background.
And gloominess with no hope is a long term mindset for a lot of people going about their days without any light at the end of the tunnel. Trying, but falling.
Itminan-e-Qalb – from Arabic, translated as Tranquillity of the Heart – as Adnan Rashid, the great UK academic and historian, described: can only be achieved through closeness to God in prayer¹².
There is a way out and it is submitting to God.
Additionally, when you look at what is happening around the world currently whether it be Gaza or Kashmir, you feel a lot more appreciative of what you do have. A roof, food, and warmth, we’re doing better than most. Alhamdullilah.
I feel this Ramadan will be a special one. There is a strength brewing in the spiritual heart of Islam’s Muslims and, God willing, this will be a good and productive month for us all.
Let’s keep the Palestinian people in our Prayers and thank God for our blessings.
References
[1] Cambridge Central Mosque. Making Every Moment Count – Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf Mangera, YouTube, 3 Mar. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4HHvpon9L8.
[2] Huberman, Andrew. Effects of Fasting & Time Restricted Eating on Fat Loss & Health | Huberman Lab Podcast #41, YouTube, 11 Oct. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tRohh0gErM.
[3] The Galen Foundation. Fasting for Survival Lecture by Dr Pradip Jamnadas, YouTube, 16 Aug. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuOvn4UqznU.
[4] Khan, Muhsin. “Surah Dhariyat Ayat 56 (51:56 Quran) with Tafsir.” My Islam, 26 Jan. 2023, https://myislam.org/surah-dhariyat/ayat-56/.
[5] Mustawrid, a brother of Banu Fihr. Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4108. Sunnah.Com, Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:4108. Accessed 11 Mar. 2024.
[6] Allama Iqbal. “(Bang-e-Dra-120) Jawab-e-Shikwa (جواب شکوہ) The Answer To The Complaint.” IqbalUrdu.Blogspot.Com, 1 Apr. 2011, https://iqbalurdu.blogspot.com/2011/04/bang-e-dra-120-jawab-e-shikwa.html.
[7] “Uthman Ibn Affan: Generous and Pious.” Huda TV Channel, 6 Apr. 2010, https://huda.tv/articles/miscellaneous-topics/uthman-ibn-affan-generous-and-pious/.
[8] Cambridge Muslim College. Imam Ali (RA) – Abdal Hakim Murad: Paradigms of Leadership, YouTube, 24 July 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwWwOp314fw.
[9] Pickthall. “Surah Al-Isra Ayat 70 (17:70 Quran) with Tafsir.” My Islam, 28 Jan. 2023, https://myislam.org/surah-isra/ayat-70/.
[10] Cambridge Central Mosque. Green Pill – Abdal Hakim Murad, YouTube, 26 Mar. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=etoxyMPAze0.
[11] Pindar, Joe. “Mental Health Statistics: 2023 Data.” Champion Health, 20 Feb. 2023, https://championhealth.co.uk/insights/mental-health-statistics/.
[12] Adnan Rashid, YouTube, www.youtube.com/@MrAdnanRashid. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.
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