Ramadan: a time to refocus

[Al-khiyal]

Ramadan: a time to refocus

August 20, 2009 -- Ramadan is just a few days away and I will be joining many of the 1.6 million Muslims in the UK preparing to refocus for four weeks. Following the lunar calendar means that the hours of fasting will be longer than they have been for many years, which is definitely a challenging prospect. But the four weeks of self-discipline is actually one that I always look forward to. The month invokes childhood memories of counting down the minutes until it is "time", then eating fried pakoras and doing my best to avoid helping to make the fruit salad. Iftar (breaking of fast) parties and early morning rises became a comforting routine often anticipated with some trepidation but always missed when it is all over.

For those who are not brought up in the Muslim tradition it may seem a strange undertaking for an entire month. I have always been fortunate that while fasting at university or at work, Ramadan was always a healthy topic of conversation among non-Muslim friends and colleagues intrigued, and at the same time respectful, of the practice. Genuine curiosity has always been a great opportunity to provide others with an insight into what Ramadan means, that it is not just about refraining from eating or drinking during daylight hours. Ramadan is a time for self-reflection and resisting the less positive distractions in life such as lying, gossiping and displaying anger.

I find it works for me to tell colleagues that I am fasting. There follows the usual series of questions and incredulity, with someone always asking whether we really don't eat or drink anything for a whole month … really – an entire month? One Australian colleague told me that when her friend had asserted that Muslims could drink water during Ramadan she had replied: "No, no water or food is consumed, I should know – two people I work with are fasting." It is pleasing to think that being transparent can demystify a faith that is so easily misunderstood. Of course there is the slight awkwardness of explaining to fellow workers that, yes, I do fast during Ramadan but there will be a few days when you'll see me eating. Confused? Well don't be – it's just that I have my period and so am excused from fasting during that time. Got that?

Not everyone finds it easy to tell people at work that they are fasting, particularly during insecure economic times such as these. A friend told me that last year his employer was irritated by the fact that he was fasting, perceiving it to betray a lack of commitment to his career as he would, it was assumed, be performing under par. It's true that the first couple of days can be rough but once you've adjusted to the new routine it's really not that bad. Really.

[Al-khiyal]

Taking time out for Ramadan

August 22, 2009 -- The fasting month of Ramadan starts this weekend and is according to Islamic teachings the month when the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad first began around the year 610 CE. The Qur'an – the full collection of revelations which the prophet received over a 23-year period – repeatedly emphasises that Muhammad was a mortal human being who was being sent with the same core message as previous prophets: to exhort people to draw closer to the one true God, to promote the cause of justice and its corollary, to combat injustice.

Fasting – which the Qur'an reminds its readers was also the practice of those previous prophets and their followers – is designed to help promote taqwa: our consciousness of God. Does it work? Well, as you may know from experience those with hungry stomachs can be rather prickly and irritable – especially when Ramadan happens to fall during a long summer month as this year – and unable to concentrate. Those who gain the most from the month are those who are able to utilise it to discipline themselves and learn to better control their emotions and refrain from negative actions.

As the years go by, with every completed Ramadan, the theory is that the body and soul should be better cleansed, the character improved, and the mind focused on the higher things in life. Many Muslims who may not be particularly observant at other times will still make some effort to keep at least some of the Ramadan fasts. Across the country a network of Muslim community radio stations also comes alive this month with programming that includes Qur'anic recitation, current affairs discussions, children's competitions and women's shows. This year's total is higher than ever with at least 32 Radio Ramadan stations operating throughout the UK.

For a number of years now it has been habit of mine to save up my annual leave so I can take the whole month of Ramadan off work and concentrate on completing a reading of an English translation of the Qur'an. This year I have also purchased a complete digitally remastered collection of Sherlock Holmes movies from the 1940s with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce to watch during the month. Just heavenly. In these irreligious times, fasting may seem an anachronism to some. Whenever I am asked about it though, I respond by saying: why not take a few days out of your normal routine and try it for yourself? You never know what you will discover.

[left2000]

Some beautiful poems about Ramadhan. Ramadan Poems

To those of you who like the inspirational language to refocus on Ramadhan, as our sister said.

Enjoy

Salam from left2000

[eyad]

Best Greetings for the Muslims all around.

Hope to be the best time, and enjoy your Days.