Ramadan, more than fasting

Sister Maryam
CANADA



Tomorrow ,I will be traveling all day, first flight at 6 15 a.m. and arriving home at 9 30 p.m., so inshallah ,I will have time to catch up on reading the Quran. I know that while traveling, it is permitted to break your fast, but , traveling by plane is not that difficult, so I think I will fast anyway.When I mentioned this to friends, I had several responses, it got me thinking about fasting and its meaning.
How frequently do we remember the other things that make, or break, our fast?


********************************************************************************

Have you noticed that non-Muslims who know you are “supposed to be” fasting are quick to note that a Muslim they know isn’t or to ask why you aren’t at a given time. Of course, when you try to explain the extensiveness of our fast, many are shocked (”what do you mean you can’t drink anything?!?”). So I always follow-up with an explanation of the morning meal prior to the fast and the evening fast-breaking meal. We forget that those two meals in the day mean that most of us are still eating much more in a 24 hour period than a lot of other people get who aren’t intentionally fasting! Many non-Muslims don’t understand and even some Muslims tend to forget that our fast is not just from food, but is more extensive.

It’s not just about food. We are so caught up in our own basic desires that we link Ramadan and fasting only with how we will “suffer” for lack of food and drink, and then we spend the whole day preparing only to break our fast. Without meaning to repeat what has already been said better in other places, let me review

We are fasting from:

food
drink
sex
bad habits (such as smoking, gossiping, wasting time, too much useless television, complaining, etc.)
And in addition to going without those things (during daylight hours), we should also be using this time for more:

Reading/reciting the Qur’an (at least one Juz or section per day)
Salat - there are extra night prayers, and one may find this a good time to practice more sunnah prayers as well
Dhikr - Remembrance of Allah and repetition of His Attributes
Du’a - Actively thanking Allah for all of our blessings, and going to Him only for our needs
Other spiritual reading or studying
Spending quality time with our families and Muslim friends
Sharing with others
Giving more charity
One other issue that keeps coming up is whether we should explain that we are fasting, or why we are not fasting, if that be the case.First and foremost, fasting is for Allah. He commanded it of us and it is done for His Pleasure. You’d think that was obvious, since we would not choose to go without our conveniences of our own accord, but it does bear repeating: FASTING IS FOR ALLAH ALONE.

That said, it should also be remembered that there are valid reasons why a person may not be fasting. Women who are menstruating do not fast. Women who are pregnant or nursing have the option to not fast if this would pose hardship. Those with an illness do not have to fast. Some illnesses one makes up the fast for, others are chronic and there is a different expatiation for the fast. Those who are travelling more than a certain distance from home (this varies by school of thought) do not have to fast at that time but make it up later. There are other valid reasons besides these and only a doctor and/or Shaykh can assist one in deciding if one fits into the category of one who is not required to fast.

The last thing a woman wants to have to tell some nosy busy-body is that they are not fasting because it is their “time of the month”. And people do not want to feel compelled to explain their health issues and be judged as to whether that was “valid enough” to keep them from fasting. In addition, since it is a very personal and spiritual decision, it is possible that a person is not fasting and does not have a valid reason but that does not make it anyone else’s business. It is still between them and Allah. If a person is not fasting, one should assume they do have a valid reason.

It is amazing that at this time when we should all be so focused on our own spiritual growth, we sometimes find ourselves judging the growth of others. Ramadan is indeed a good time to remind ourselves of our own duties and begin to put into place better habits in our own lives. Let’s trust that each of us is doing our best and support each other to do even better.






O Allah! Help us make the most of this Sacred Month,

O Allah! Surely you are the Most Merciful, Shower us all with your Mercy,

O Allah! Grant us with possessions we are in dire need of,

Grant us with tranquility, Peace, happiness and goodness,

Fulfill our worldly desires by keeping us on the Right Path

Teach us to differentiate between the Good and Evil,

Save us from the evil whispering of Iblis

Bless us with the courage to take on Mohamed's(pbuh) teachings,

O Allah! Grant us Jannah

Forgive us for our Mistakes and instill bravery within us to never commit them again,

Bless our elders with good health,

O Allah! Bless us with Righteous Children and A Righteous Spouse

O Allah! Make us die as righteous Muslims

O Allah! Help us be a better Muslim




AMEEN.