created: 01/09/2008

Adam Yosef explains the principles behind the 30 day period of enlightenment and reflection for Muslims during Ramadhan.

‘Disciplining the body in order to discipline the mind and purify the heart.’

Principles of Ramadhan

Ramadhan in fact, (as far removed as it may seem) is the basic principle behind the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan. The ninth month of the Islamic year, it is a thorough 30-day period of enlightenment and self-reflection for the 1.8 billion or so Muslims who inhabit the planet.

As Lent may be prescribed for Christians and Yom Kippur for those of the Jewish faith, Ramadhan is an eagerly awaited interval for Muslims to utilize the absence of food, drink and other luxuries, as an opportunity to concentrate on prayer, meditation and worship. This in turn encourages greater reflection on life itself and appreciation for the resources we sometimes take for granted.

A retreat for the mind

In many ways, Ramadhan mirrors a form of spiritual renewal – a time for new resolutions and a revival of inner peace. Similar to how one might attend a nature-retreat once a year, to escape the humdrum of a dog-eat-dog world, Ramadhan provides an internal retreat where the mind and it’s natural ‘thirst’ for knowledge, awakening and reason is given greater precedence over the physical needs and desires of the body - needs which are regularly served but rarely satisfied.

Human desire in its bare essence is animalistic and somewhat selfish. It has been the evolution of teachings of faith that has kept in check much of our primitive needs for constant self-gratification.

Practicing restraint

In the same way as teachings throughout the ages have developed our instinct to share, put others before ourselves and refrain from complete hedonism, Ramadhan and disciplines of restraint from sister religions still continue to remind us to control our hunger for domination, greed, lust, deception and of harboring a ‘survival of the fittest’ attitude.

This is especially poignant as we enter an age where respect for the environment, our bodies, the rights of others and family values continue to disintegrate. In a world of excess, Ramadhan is welcomed with open arms by many who wish to evaluate and change their monotonous and unfulfilling daily routine.

Consisting of a fast between daylight hours, special evening prayers and an emphasis on universal rights of respect and responsibility – all for a whole month – Ramadhan is far from a selfish experience.

Spiritual unity

Themes of unity, brotherhood and sisterhood feature deeply in all of the elements of a daily fast from the shared meals, the moral support, and the mutual prayers. Muslims observing the fast at home, work, school or college are brought together in a spiritual struggle to cleanse their souls and better themselves.

Of course, environments where a Muslim may be fasting on their own invite ample opportunity for those of other faiths and none to participate or show solidarity. After all, the benefits of Ramadhan are not only there for Muslims to take advantage of but for non-Muslims too, who can hope to see a dramatic change in the demeanor of any Muslim they might know.

This should be a change that should in essence aim to become a permanent and positive contribution to the personality of the one participating in the fast. It should never just be a one-month deal but a personal ‘revelation’ which lasts a lifetime.

Ramadhan in Town

The beginning of Ramadhan won’t be heralded by a display of fireworks or a parade of any sort, but most citizens will realize the month has arrived.

In streets, the kitchen lights will switch on before dawn in many Muslim households as the early Suhoor meal is prepared and eaten to provide sustenance during a grueling food-free day. In shops, the sales of dates and honey will rise as Muslims take to the super foods of the Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet Muhammad).

In schools where the majority of students are Muslim, canteens will be quiet during lunch hour except for the brief period in which pre-arranged packed lunches are taken home by fasting pupils for later consumption.

On roads, parked cars will be spilling over as the faithful make a heartier effort to attend prayers.

Inner peace

This quest of nearly two billion people to find inner peace will simultaneously be echoed around the globe and across nations by people of all colors and social and cultural backgrounds.

Dates play a key role in Ramadhan

In our current international political climate, it’s extremely important to use our similarities as a force for good and in Ramadhan are themes consistent with many world faith and belief systems.

So Ramadhan is a time in the year when people of all faiths can reflect and share values which are evident in their own beliefs and implement ideals that are universally accepted as progressive, positive and peaceful.

Great historical Events that took place during Ramadhan

Date	Year (H)	Event
17 Ramadan	2	The great Battle of Badr was fought.
15 Ramadan	3	Birth of Imam Hasan (as) in Medina Munawwara.
6 Ramadan	8	Rasulallah (pbuh) set out for the Battle of the Conquest of Mecca.
20 Ramadan	8	Makkah was conquered without a battle.
3 Ramadan	9	Rasulallah (pbuh) set out for the Battle of Tabuk, against the Byzantine Empire.
19 Ramadan	40	Amirul Mumineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) in Kufa was struck by a poisoned sword when in Sujood.
21 Ramadan	40	Wafat of Amirul Mumineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) in Kufa.
10 Ramadan	60	Imam al-Husain (as) received the first deputation of 35 letters pleading with him to go to Kufa.
8 Ramadan	360	Qaid Jawhar al-Siqqili to conquer Egypt and build a new city, starting with the Masjid, al-Jami al-Azhar.
7 Ramadan	361	The iftetah of al-Jami al-Azhar was performed by Qaid Jawhar, on instructions of Fatimi leader al-Mu’iz.
5 Ramadan	362	The Fatimi al-Mu’iz billah entered Cairo, the city he built in absentia, reached his palace and prayed 2 rakats there.
8 Ramadan	1333	The destruction of the qubba mubaraka of Fatima al-Zahra (as) and others of Ahl-e-Bayt in Medina by the Wahhabis of Saudi Arabia.