Right now, 1.6 billion Muslims around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan, ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. In Ramadan of 610 AD, Muslims believe the Quran, their holy book, was revealed through Angel Gabriel for the first time. Revelation continued for about 23 years. In one of the verses, fasting was made obligatory:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” (2:183)
According to our belief, nations before us (including Jews and Christians) were ordained to fast through the revelation sent to their prophets through Angel Gabriel. During this month, doors of paradise are opened and doors of hellfire are closed. The mercy of God descends over humanity in abundance.
During the fast, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and intimate marital relationship from dawn to dusk. In the U.S., it is around 16 hours every day. In places with really short summer nights, a single fast can be 20 plus hours long. Muslims are also encouraged to "fast" from evil thoughts, bad behavior and foul speech, and spend more time in remembrance of God.
Thus self-restraint was established as a way to achieve righteousness.
This message is universal. Many times, humans have caused destruction by giving in to their whims and desires, lust and lure of all that glitters, giving in to the base nature, consumption has become satisfaction.
Sacrifice, selflessness, self-restraint is the message of Ramadan. In the times when Americans make up 5 percent of the world population but use more than 25 percent of world resources, the anti-consumerism message of Ramadan is indeed meaningful.
When we feel pangs of hunger, we can empathize with the ones who fast round the year because there is no other option. We also learn that we can, in fact, survive on much less than we consume otherwise. In our household, everyone including our 8-year-old daughter (although it is optional for her at this age) is fasting this year. We also attend the nightly congregational prayer at our Islamic center. This is an amazing opportunity to teach our children selflessness and bond them with the community all while serving their Creator.
On behalf of the Muslims in Upstate, I send well wishes to our fellow citizens, brothers, and sisters of other faiths this Ramadan. May this be the time of healing and reflection for all.
Fareeha Qazi is a seventh grade homeroom teacher at As-Sabeel Academy in Greer.
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