Ramadan, a spiritual diet

Fasting or "sawm" in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam, and a spiritual self actualisation (cleansing the soul) with secular impact (cleansing the body).

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint." (Quran 2:183)

It is reported that the Prophet said: "There is a gate in paradise called ar-Rayyan and only those who observed fast shall enter through it." (Sahih Bukhari).

Ramadan is also a 30-day "wellness holiday" from the everyday routine of over eating, hence, about discipline, dieting and detoxifying which has an impact on diabetes, cholesterol, and concentration. It is better than many flavours of the month fad diets without the expensive food servings, gym equipment, or yoga mats.

(It is surprising that a compliant enterprising entity has not created an info-mercial for "Ramadan dieting" as part of US$1.6 trillion Muslim lifestyle market).

Ramadan is not about starvation as one knows the exact time of their next meal, the Iftar, unlike the situation of many impoverished people. It’s about remembering these people, and donating zakat (the third pillar, whose collection usually goes up because of the multiplier effect) and being humbly grateful to the Creator for the bounties and blessings.

Lists

Everybody is curious about and intrigued by lists, and some/many aspire to be on them. Whether it's the top 10 World Cup rankings, top 10 richest people in the world, top 10 best companies to work for, top 10 companies in an (Islamic) index, 10 best Muslim country holiday destinations, and so on.

Recently, I came across a fascinating list, "18 reasons why Muslims should fast during Ramadan?" It was important to share the list, whilst making some comments in italics.

The real objective of fasting is to inculcate in man the spirit of abstinence from sins and of cultivation of virtue. Thus the Qur'an declares that fasting has been prescribed with a view to developing piety in man. How are the many facets of piety sought to be cultivated through the fasts?

1. The prime consideration in undertaking fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek nearness to God and beseech His pleasure and forgiveness. This inevitably produces a spirit of religiousness in man.

The real issue becomes carrying it over after the Eid-al-Fitr.

2. The willful creation of the stringent conditions of hunger and thirst for one's own self, simply in obedience to the Divine Order, measures the faith of man in God and helps to strengthen it by putting it to a severe test.

The test is humane, as those who cannot legitimately fast, are excused as a blessing.

3. Fasting enhances through creation of artificial non-availability, the value of the bounties of God, which man is apt to take for granted in the midst of plentiful availability, and thus inculcates in man a spirit of gratitude and consequent devotion to God. Nothing else can bring home to man the worth of God's bounties than a glass of water and a square meal after a day-long fast.
This also reminds man that the real joy in enjoying God's bounties lies in moderation and restraint not in over indulgence.

Yet, obesity is common characteristics in the wealthier Muslim countries.

4. Fasting makes us deeply conscious of the pangs of hunger and discomfort suffered by the less fortunate among our brethren, who may have to put up with such stringent conditions all through their lives. It kindles a spirit of sacrifice leading to charity towards his suffering brethren.

Thus, the importance of Zakat, but bulk of it is collected during Ramadan, needs to spread more evenly during the year as needs of poor just don’t spike in Ramadan.

5. Fasting affords man an unfailing training in endurance, i.e., a spirit of acceptance of the inevitable, which could well prepare him to put up with the unchangeable situations in life in the same spirit of resignation as cultivated during the fasts.

The benefit of Ramadan is training for life’s burdens, the Creator reminds us, "Surely with hardship comes ease."

6. Fasting develops courage, fortitude, and a fighting spirit in man to surmount the heavy odds in life with a cool and tranquil mind. It sharpens his power of concentration to overcome obstacles, through a vigorous exercise all through the month, leading to a steeling of his will power and resolve, which could help him in trying situations in actual life. It is seen that many an undesirable habit which is found hard to leave, is more easily left off during the days of fasting.

It screens out bad habits, permanent for some and temporary for others, requiring next Ramadan.

7. Fasting teaches man reliance on God and confidence in Him in facing the bitter situations in life with the comforting thought that these too, ordained by Him, could well be surmounted through. Fasting develops the quality of patience in man, with the realisation that, as the days of fasting, though seemingly unending, do have a successful end, so are all the bitter situations in life.

It therefore infuses a spirit of good cheer (driving away bitterness and despair) in his attitude towards life and in his demeanor towards others.

There is the Ramadan smile, sense of Mt. Everest climb achievement with self-confidence inducing carry-over affect.

8. Through quick alternation of the state of plenty and of scarcity, fasting seeks to inculcate in man the right type of attitude in different situations in life of gratitude and thanksgiving in plenty and of patience and forbearance in difficulty.

Thanksgiving isn’t just about a turkey dinner.

9. Fasting is meant to conquer anger, not to augment it, and to develop self-control in man; for the vigorous effort of willfully putting up with a continued state of hunger and thirst can well be extended to conquer other infirmities of human character that lead man into error and sin.

It should take the ‘t’ out of terror, and address the error (anger) in thinking and belief.

10. Fasting inculcates a spirit of tolerance in man to face unpleasant conditions and situations without making his fellow being the victim of his wrath on account of his adverse conditions, such as deprivation of his basic needs of life, which constitutes the common cause of dissension among men.

In what countries are today’s major internal strife? Are Muslims tolerant and judgmental of fellow Muslims?

11. Fasting mellows a man and enhances his character, giving jolt to the human instincts of pride, haughtiness, envy and ambition, for when fasting, a man's energies are too sapped to follow these instincts which are the chief causes of discord and conflict among men.

Can we put same priority and energy to intra-faith dialogue as we do to inter-faith dialogue?

12. Fasting exposes the weakness of man in the event of his being deprived of but two of the bounties of God: those of food and drink. It thus infuses in him a spirit of meekness and submission, generating humility and prayer in an otherwise arrogant man.

It also strengthens mans to look at his intermediary influenced influences (weakness), and should solidify direct relationship with Creator.

13. Fasting breathes the spirit of forgiveness in man towards his subordinates, as he himself seeks God's forgiveness through fasts and prayers.
Many do not make or understand the linkage, where is the disconnect, and, more importantly, why? And most importantly, how to fix?

14. Fasting affords lessons in puntuality through man's strict adherence to various time schedules in the observance of fasts and offering of prayers.

But, only if the start of Ramadan had punctuality, debate of moon sighting, need the precision of science, where the Creator encourages man to seek knowledge.

15. Fasting can be made to effect economy in an individual's life, which can be extended to wider spheres.

Creator-conscience efficiency has beneficial carry-over effect, but key issue is continuity. The Creator understands such weakness of man, hence, the Ramadan must be yearly.

16. Fasting enforces in man rigid discipline, mental, spiritual and physical, a trait of character which forms an essential ingredient to success in human life.

We need to continually strive for higher levels of Iman (faith) to better understand the Creator’s message of submission, stewardship and salvation.

17. Fasting provides leisure, that could be gainfully employed in devotional or intellectual pursuits. The month-long duration of fasts creates a proper climate for the spiritual reformation in man, infusing in him a spirit of enthusiasm and zest to turn over a new leaf, an opportunity provided every year.

Today, many, including myself (at times), are about following the rituals of Ramadan, and not its spirituality.

18. On the physical side, fasting cleanses the human system of the accumulated impurities of uninterrupted eating throughout the year. The rigid abstinence that the fast provides, regulates man's health, sharpens his intellect, gives spurt to him spiritually and enhances the qualities of his heart.

I wonder how many of us achieve and sustain?

Conclusion

In 2013, there was call for World Halal day, the 17th day of Ramadan, which would be July 14, 2014. The first verse on halal, Surah Anfal (8:69), and revealed on 17th Ramadan in 624, during (or after) Battle of Badr.

Ramadan Mubarak to family, friends, and foes (friends in the making). – June 29, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.