Fasting (Saum)
Fasting as Described by a new Muslim
From what I understand, fasting in Ramadhan is another unique moral and very spiritual characteristic of Islam. Fasting means to abstain completely from foods, drinks, intimate intercourses and smoking before the break of the dawn to sunset.
On the other hand, fasting shouldn't be restricted to its literal sense, the spiritual meaning of the fast is so much more deeper and can only improve our character as human beings.
It teaches us to love becasue when we observe the fast we do it out of deep love for God. It equips us with an optimistic outlook on life. We are constantly hoping to please God and to seek his grace and fulfill our required duties as muslims. We are taught to be patient and unselfish. Feeling the pain of deprivation but enduring it all for the sake of God is a tremendous achievement. This deprivation makes us realize the serious and severe effects of such pain on others who might be deprived of indispensible commodities in life, such as clothes, food, shelter and so on.
This experience, I have to say, in a social and humanitarian sense makes such a person much more quicker than anybody else to sympathize and respond to their needs, and that in itself is an _expression of unselfishness and genuine sympathy. We are taught self discipline in that our desires do not come first, an effective lesson in moderation and willpower. We are also provided with clear mind and light body and we become more econmical and wiser in regards to saving and budgeting. These are all huge benefits to a human being, in that it prevents us from avaricious tendencies which can only lead to our demise.
My experience of Ramadhan made me understand the importance of social belonging, unity and brotherhood before God. I don't think I'd ever felt such a unity in my life before by so many people, we all had the same duty in the same manner at the same time, we all helped each other out. This was the most moving, enlightening and heart warming moment in my life since I was born into this world. It was unequivocal - the closeness I felt when I observed the fast from sunrise to sunset along with the daily obligatory prayers and optional prayers. A special characteristic of Ramadhan is also the Taraweeh prayers - done mostly at the local masjid. Taraweeh prayers follow the isha prayer or night prayer. It is recommended in the holy month to read the whole Quran, a chapter a day, so that by the last day you'd have more or less completed the book with hopefully a better understanding of it. Alhamdulilah I succeeded but it was tough , baring in mind I was reading it on an empty stomach.
Taraweeh prayers was even more unmistakable, even though I didn't understand half of what the imam was reciting, I still felt deeply moved by it all, I felt surges of heat circulating and pulsating throughout my whole body, I felt so deeply connected at that point.
However, what had triggered off unduly, unstoppable tears pouring from my eyes, a lump in my throat and shivers down my spine was THE audio recitals of the last 11 surahs on CD, (oh and the young imam who burst out crying half way through Taraweeh, bless him..) which I had borrowed from a very kind sister who had also helped me imensley throughout the holy month and who I with Gods will had an opportunity to cohabit with at the time. I was taken by suprise when a voice in Arabic struck me with its beauty and fluidity, it resonated in my ears and touched my heart in one full swoop. The voice of Mancurian, Kamal Uddin. The recital of Surah Al Fatiha, the opening verse of the Quran which for me encapsulated in brief and emphasized what we as muslims believe.
I realised that morning on the first day of Ramadhan that there was more to Islam than the fundamental pillars and I wanted to make this month a sacraficial month in that I'd change and from this change a devout servant of God would ensue.
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