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Ramadan Corner
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast. Answer: During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words. During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.
The Truth taste of Ramadan
Posted on: Monday, August, 01, 2011
By: Farhiyo Olad
Ramadan is a month which the Quran was revealed to Angel Gabriel and then revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. During the month when Ramadan occurs, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This is called fasting. Fasting teaches Muslims to be grateful for what they have, it is also meant to teach a person humbleness and patience. Ramadan requires fasting for the sake of Almighty God.
Ramadan involves asking for forgiveness from Almighty God, since many believers of Islam can commit sinful or even evil things; contemplation is also an important part of Ramadan. However, fasting in America can be a very challenging situation when a Muslim is not in their homeland. Fasting in America and in a Muslim country are very different experiences and one has to make accommodation as well as sacrifices. The spiritual climate during Ramadan in Somalia is extremely different than in America. The differences have to do with how you go to work and interact with others. You can feel lonely, and celebrating the holiday that comes after Ramadan can be very difficult.
When people observe Ramadan in Somalia, all shops, business stores, malls, and work places are closed, and people are dismissed early for the preparations involved with Ramadan.Some places are closed early in the afternoon, but when the breaking of the fast draw nears stores are opened. If someone is not familiar with the Ramadan and they want to buy something because of an emergency, they should call before they come tothe stores because people are out getting ready or some people sleep more than usual.
During the month of Ramadan, schools are also closed. Relatives, communities, and families come and break the fast together while exchanging their views and thoughts. When a Muslim observes Ramadan in an Islamic country, the entire community fasts with him or her. For instance, in Mecca hundreds of people from different nationalities come together in the biggest mosque facing the Ka'aba. People break their fasts with dates and milk, and afterwards, people quickly stand up to pray the "Maghreb," or sunset prayer.Once that is done, people begin the real meal. Members of the community greet each other with "Ramadan Kareem," which means something like "Have a blessed Ramadan," or "Happy Ramadan." Ramadan also has social aspects. It brings people together in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Every member of the community practices their faith and meets the needs of their fellows. The mosques overflow with worshippers, and you can feel the sense of unity and togetherness thronging through the mosque. The practicing Muslims give each other good moral advice about dishonesty, stealing, lying, hurting or offending others by their words or actions. As Ramadan comes to a close, Muslims in Somalia prepare themselves for the "Eid Al-Fitr." Eid Al-Fitr is the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in an outdoor location, such as a soccer field, to pray.
The Eid prayer is followed by a sermon, then a supplication that asks for help, mercy and a solution for the dilemmas across the world. It is then customary to embrace and hug the person sitting on either side of one's self. After that, Muslims disperse to visit and exchange gifts with family, friends, and relatives. Children usually flee to the marketplace because there in Somalia, the markets are very near and you do not need a car. Communities in Somalia celebrate a wide range of festivals during Eid: they prepare food, decorate their houses, and give charitable donations to the poor so that everyone can join in celebrating the holiday.
All of their plans and efforts are rewarded with an opportunity to strengthen family and community bonds and make the holiday as enjoyable as possible. These holiday activities continue for three days. In Somalia, the three-day holiday is also recognized as a government and school holiday.
