A Training of Spiritual Endurance
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins upon the visual sighting of the last full moon of the year and it usually last 29 to 30 days, depending on the year. This is a holy month when many Muslims will focus on prayer and reading the Quran. Fasting during Ramadan is required for all Muslims from when they reach puberty. Muslims will have one meal before sunrise, called suhoor, and share another meal with friends and family after sunset, called iftar. For many Muslims Ramadan also means a month of forgoing water, smoking and sexual activity during daylight. After that, the holiday of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month.
Why fasting?
Every year, Muslims from all over the world observe the annual fasting during the daylight hours of Ramadan. To keep up with the divine commandment in Chapter 2, Verse 185 of the Holy Qur'an. Allah states, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed to those before you in order that you may attain taqwa." Taqwa is the state of hyper-vigilance against falling into sin in negligence.
Through fasting, Muslims demonstrates the highest degree of obedience by abstaining from lawful food, drink, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset one month every year. Generally ages between 12 and 14 does fasting, though some families start their children fasting at the age of 10.
Who doesn’t fast?
Yes, fasting is mandatory for everyone who practices the religion but there are some exceptions. Usually women who are menstruating, experiencing post-natal discharges, or pregnant avoids fasting; since they are viewed as impure and not clean. Also people with a temporary illness; and those involved in extremely strenuous occupations such as soldiers in battle may also suspend their fasting. These people, however, have to make restitution (qada') by fasting for the number of days equal to those missed, any time before the next Ramadan.
Katerine Chung Chen