A month of spiritual nourishment

So very often have I been confronted with the question, “Why do Muslims fast, what’s the point of starving for 30 days?” Quite honestly, I began to delve further into the subject, as a result of such queries — for when one carries out practices out of habit, it is quite easy to overlook their significance or purpose.

All religions are based on principles. Islam, is founded on five such principles, from which branch out the more detailed aspects of the teachings and practices of Islam. Fasting forms the third tenet of Islam, and requires Muslims to fast during the month of Ramazan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. It is obligatory for all, excluding small children, elderly people and those who are very ill, to fast. Essentially, fasting requires abstention from food, drink and sex from sunrise to sun set. But what’s the purpose of such an act, you may ask?

At one level, on the one hand, it is God’s way of reminding us to appreciate what we have on a daily basis and — may often than not — be taking for granted; food. It would be unusual not to feel hunger pangs, parched or even weak, at some point of fasting. This combined with the first sip of water at the time of breaking fast, could not give one a greater sense of understanding of what it must be like for those who go without food. It also makes one appreciate having three square meals a day in life.

On the other hand, fasting is a mode of discipline:
O ye who believe!
Fasting is prescribed to you
As it was prescribed
To those before you
That ye may (learn)
Self-restraint.
(Surah Al Baqarah: verse 183)

It compels one’s mind and body to abstain from the basic human needs, for a stipulated period of time. Consider it an annual test, to forfeit daily, physical needs, in order to nourish one’s spiritual needs. In a way, it only further exemplifies Islam being a way of life. Islam — just like any of the other great religions — involves practising it in accordance with certain conditions, in a particular manner. For instance, Muslims have to pray five times a day, yet, one cannot pray whenever one feels like, but at stipulated times. Likewise, fasting can only be done, in observation of certain instructions.

At a second level, devoid of all religious interpretations, fasting serves another purpose. How often does one get the opportunity to do good, in one’s life? By this I mean, to make some sacrifice — be it monetary or otherwise — of oneself, for the benefit of someone else?

By no means shall ye
Attain righteousness unless
Ye give (freely) of that
Which ye love; and whatever
Ye give, of a truth
Allah knoweth it well. (Surah Ali Imran: verse 92)

It would not be far from the truth to say, that the opportunities are few, given that people exhaust a great proportion of their time struggling just to get through daily routines, such as work, running households, taking children to school and classes, paying utility bills…the list is endless. One may make the case that charity is done by way of giving something to the beggar who haunts the traffic lights on the way home, buying tickets for a charity show, dropping change into donation tills in supermarkets, and so on. Yet, in all these instances, no one is compelled to offer charity — it is purely subjective. The mechanism that Islam has put in place, is to make it compulsory for every Muslim earning a steady income, to give 2 ½ percent of his or her wealth – in the form of money or grain – to those who desperately need assistance. This obligatory due of charity, is called Zakaat, and constitutes the fourth principle of Islam.

So why place Ramazan and Zakaat side by side? During Ramazan, fasting, prayers, the recitation of the Quran and special prayers for the month (Tharaveeh), all heighten one’s consciousness of God. It is a time when one feels much humility and gratitude for the blessings one has been endowed with, be it for having food on the table to break fast or the finances to get about life without too much hassle. One realises how difficult it could be, in sight of those who labour just to get by. In that frame of mind, Zakaat offers a window, to put back something into society. Once a year, God offers this great occasion, to ease the burden of poor relations and needy people. By compelling our hand — and for those who do not realise – we are earning many a blessing.

To recap, the month of Ramazan calls upon Muslims to fast, observing certain commands, in respect and reverence of God. As a result of the disciplined act, Muslims discover a higher level of spirituality, thus setting the purpose to simultaneously fulfil the obligatory act of charity, called Zakaat.

Given that the fast lasts thirty days, it is a period that can significantly change a Muslim’s outlook on life; to recognise that there is more to our earthly existence that deserves our understanding and devotion:

Let them also, with a will,
Listen to My call,
And believe in Me;
That they may walk
In the right way.
(Surah Al Baqarah: verse 186)