Fasting is a total act of worship, discipline

Holy Ramadan is again with us, the month in which Allah sent down the Criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all worlds.

Allah said, When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them); I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. I hope and pray that this Ramadan will be a time when He responds to our prayer and we listen, with a will, to his call.

Oh ye who believe, fasting is prescribed to you just as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may guard against evil. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).

So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting. But if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

These Quranic verses (183-185) of Surah Al-Baqarah refer to the importance of Ramadan and emphasise the spiritual aspects of fasting. It is a month for spiritual reawakening, a reaffirmation of faith. A month devoted to worship, but not one in which the believer renounces the world or runs away from his responsibilities. He abstains from food and drink for a limited period.

The stress is on self-discipline. Fasting is not meant to punish the body, but to strengthen the mind, directing it to higher things.

Scientists agree that machines require a rest period due to metal fatigue. Almighty Allah created us and knows that we are weak in body and spirit; we are in need of occasions to boost and revitalise our weak Iman (faith) so that we may adhere to the commands of Allah in the way shown to us by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

During Ramadan, because of the mercy of Allah, all mosques are full of prayers, contemplation and acts of charity increase, ties of brotherhood strengthen, anger and temper are controlled and an atmosphere of peace prevails. According to psychologists, these are several of the good aspects of conscientious fasting.

We should also resolve to be steadfast in the good habits acquired during the holy month of fasting. Let us all once again pledge ourselves to follow the example of the Holy Prophet who was the most active among people during the month of fasting.

One is saddened to see today when all the comforts of life are available, many people view the month of Ramadan as time for sleep, laziness and, therefore, of decreased productivity. For example, we go to an office or workplace and ask for someone and we are told to return later – maybe after prayers or the next day.

At times if someone loses his temper, we are told he is edgy because he is fasting. We notice that many shortcomings and many lapses in discipline are attributed to fasting. We should remember that fasting itself is an exercise in discipline.

It is a total act of worship.

You cannot fast and at the same time trouble other people. This is what we must realise. Employees who deal with the public should realise that this is not a month to delay matters affecting other peoples' interests.

The student should realise, or be told by his parents, that this is a great month to read about religion and to understand it – not to spend the day sleeping or sitting idly at night watching television, strolling in shopping malls or driving aimlessly about the city.

I think it is high time that the media, parents, the family and sociologists emphasised strongly that Ramadan is a month of worship and active work and that by adjusting our lifestyles in the proper way we can do both and also be more productive.

The turning away from Islamic precepts and teachings has ushered in a host of problems. And turning night into day defeats the whole purpose of fasting.

Indeed, the month of Ramadan should be used to reflect and to contemplate in order to determine whether we Muslims are really on the true path. An honest answer will clearly reveal how far we have strayed from the teachings of Islam.

Muslims should be bold enough to admit that many of their problems are created by themselves. To admit this is the first step toward solving the numerous problems facing the Muslim Ummah. We, as Muslims, are obliged to follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

I believe that the only solution to our present difficulties is to read, understand and follow the teachings of the Quran in its proper perspective.

If we do that, we will know that those of us who follow the fashion of blaming conspiracies for our ills are way off the mark. The Quran says: Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves. The conspiracy that is destroying us is not hatched by others, but by ourselves – it is a conspiracy of inaction.

On this holy month let us take a vow to act, and give the blaming exercise a holiday. As Hisham M. Nazer, former Saudi petroleum minister, observed in his book Power of a Third Kind, our success in preserving our identities depends more on what we contribute to civilisation than on what we are able to counter.

And let us also remember in this blessed month of Ramadan that our faith demands that our concerns should go beyond our own selves and families to our brethren in faith and brothers in humanity.

In a world that has become a global village with free markets, an increasing number of people are falling victim to wars, hunger, incurable diseases, internal strife, genocide and human rights abuses. The information revolution has enabled their cries to reach us, but we are too busy to listen to them.

Everyday Israeli soldiers and settlers using freely supplied American weapons are killing and maiming young innocent Palestinian children.

Emboldened by American silence and an administration riddled with Zionist officials, the Israelis are committing the first act of genocide of the new millennium. What are we doing to stop this carnage? Let us once again pray that in this Ramadan a sincere effort will be made by all Muslims to come closer to Almighty Allah through fasting, prayers, zakah and charity.

And, through hard work, let us make this a better world for us and our children. And while doing our duty by our fellow men, our families, children and community, let us pray, as Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail did, while raising the foundation of the House (Holy Kaaba): Our Lord, accept from us, for Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing; Our Lord, make us Muslims, bowing to Thy Will.