{"id":13731,"date":"2011-08-05T21:41:04","date_gmt":"2011-08-06T01:41:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kanglaonline.com\/?p=21765"},"modified":"2011-08-05T21:41:04","modified_gmt":"2011-08-06T01:41:04","slug":"ramadan-a-general-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/2011\/08\/05\/ramadan-a-general-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Ramadan- a general perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\">var addthis_product='wpp-252';var addthis_options=\"Google+1\"<\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/s7.addthis.com\/js\/250\/addthis_widget.js#pubid=kanglaonline\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\" dir=\"ltr\">By:\u00a0 Mohd. Nasir Ahmed, Shillong- 793001 (nasir2kman[@]yahoo.com)<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"c7 c10\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"c9 c5\">Ramadan- a general perspective<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"c1 c10\"><span class=\"c5 c9\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><a name=\"id.0c1858819d10\"><\/a><span class=\"c2\">Ramadan  (Sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam and the ninth month of the  Muslim calendar. The meaning of Sawm is to \u2018abstain\u2019. In this month,  Allah Subhana Wa Taala (SWT) has made it compulsory that the fasting be  observed by day, and he has made the \u2018Taraweeh\u2019 (Ramadan nightly prayer)  a \u2018Sunnah\u2019. Fasting is to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking,  saying, looking, listening bad things and conjugal relations from dawn  till sunset. The goal of fasting is to develop self-restrain (Taqwa). <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c0\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">Ramadan  is an annual training programme to refresh us for carrying out our  duties towards Allah (SWT). Fasting develops self-control and helps us  to overcome selfishness, greed, laziness and other faults. This month of  patience gives us an opportunity to experience for ourselves what it is  like to have an empty stomach. This develops our feeling for the poor  and hungry people. Fasting teaches us to control the love of comfort. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c0\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">If  difficulty is experienced in fasting, one should bear it cheerfully and  not complain. Should we feel fatigued at the time of Taraweeh (Ramadan  nightly prayer), this too should be borne with fortitude. It should also  be borne in mind that fasting does not aim at inflicting punishment  upon people or taking on unbearable burdens. The underlying idea behind  it is to teach moderation and spiritual discipline so that human  temptations may not become so wild and uncontrollable as to flout the  commands of the Great Master. To be a true servant of Allah (SWT), it is  essential that man should be able to conform his behavior to the moral  and spiritual discipline embodied in the Shari&#8217;ah of Islam. Fasting is  indispensable for this moral and spiritual training. <\/span><strong><em><span class=\"c4 c2\">The Prophet (pbuh) said, \u201cWhen the month of Ramadan starts, the<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are locked and the<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">devils are chained\u201d. (Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2361)<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"c0\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">The hadith (sayings of prophet) below gives some very important points regarding Ramadan: <\/span><em><strong><span class=\"c4 c2\">The Prophet (pbuh) said &#8220;Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">and from committing sins. If one is fasting, he should avoid sexual<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">relation with his wife and quarrelling, and if somebody should fight or<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">quarrel with him, he should say, &#8216;I am fasting.&#8217; There are two pleasures<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and other at<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">the time when he will meet Allah; then he will be pleased because of<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\">his fasting.&#8221; (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 128)<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"c0\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">In  this month, the rebellious \u2018Shayateen\u2019 (Satans) are chained, so as not  to provoke those evils which they normally do during months other than  Ramadan. A question may arise here that, when the \u2018Shayateen\u2019 are  chained, how it is that we still do see evil committed? The reply is  that evil may not necessarily be caused by the rebellious \u2018Shayateen\u2019.  People have for eleven months lived in obedience to \u2018Shayateen\u2019 whims  and wishes, and so performing evil deeds instigated by them becomes  second nature. Consequently, evil is being done in and out of Ramadan.  Therefore the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us  throughout the year. In Al-Qur\u2019an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that  they may &#8220;become pious&#8221;. This piety and devotion is especially felt  during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitude  stay with us during our &#8220;normal&#8221; lives. That is the true goal and test  of Ramadan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c0\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">Fasting is the way to piety and the fear of God. Fasting narrows the food and<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">blood arteries. They are known to be canals of the devils, hence fasting<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">reduces their insinuation. It further weakens carnal desires, thoughts and<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">temptations of disobedience.<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">Fasting enhances bodily health. It gets rid of contaminated matter, eases the<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">stomach, purifies the blood, eases the working of the heart, brightens the<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">spirit, refines the soul and disciplines the character. When an individual fasts,<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">his soul is humbled and his carnal desires are dispelled. There is a great<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">reward for fasting, as it shows a Muslim obeying Allah (SWT) and submitting<\/span><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><span class=\"c2\">to His command.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c0\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">According Dr. Jack Goldstein author of the book <\/span><em><strong><span class=\"c5 c2\">\u201cTriumph over Disease by Fasting and Natural Diet\u201d<\/span><span class=\"c2\"> says that \u201c<\/span><\/strong><\/em><span class=\"c4 c2\"><em><strong>Fasting  give vital organ a complete rest, promotes elimination of metabolic  wastes, allows the body to adjust and normalize its bio-chemistry and  also its secretion, lets the body break down and absorb swellings,  deposits, diseased tissues, and abnormal growth; restores a youthful  condition to cells and tissues, increases the power of digestion and  assimilation and permits the conservation and re-routing of energy; it  clears and strengthens the minds\u201d<\/strong><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c0\"><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">Fasting  in Ramadan is not merely physically restraining from the obvious food  and drink, but the total commitment of the servant&#8217;s body and soul to  the letter and spirit of fasting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c1\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c7\"><span class=\"c2\">1) The fast of the self means to be free from all carnal desires.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c7\"><span class=\"c2\">2) The fast of mind is avoiding thoughts about things other than Allah (SWT).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c7\"><span class=\"c2\">3) The fast of the hand is not touching\/taking what does not belong to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c7\"><span class=\"c2\">4) The fast of the nose means not sniffing or smelling unlawful things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c7\"><span class=\"c2\">5) The fast of the feet is not going places where sinful acts are propagated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c7\"><span class=\"c2\">6) The fast of the eye is to prevent it from seeing forbidden things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c1\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c7\"><em><strong><span class=\"c2 c4\">Allah  (SWT) says in Al-Qur\u2019an, \u201cTell the believing men to lower their gaze  and be mindful of their chastity; this will be most conducive to their  purity. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be mindful  of their chastity, and not display their charms (in public) beyond what  may (decently) be apparent thereof, hence let them draw their  head-covering over their bosoms\u201d. (Al-Qur\u2019an 24:30-31)<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"c1\"><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">7)  The fast of the tongue is guarding against lying, backbiting,  slandering, reviling, abusing others, cursing, indecent conversation,  swearing and false evidence. The Prophet (pbuh) said: \u201cA Muslim is he  from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c1\"><span class=\"c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><em><strong><span class=\"c4 c2\">The  Prophet (pbuh) said, \u201c&#8221;Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil  actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e.  Allah will not accept his fasting.)&#8221; (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31,  Number 127)<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"c1\"><span class=\"c4 c2\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\">8.\u00a0  The fast of the ears is not to listen to idle talk, gossip, lyrics and  notes that contain obscene and indecent things. Listening to Al-Qur\u2019an  bears the fruit of faith, guidance, light and prosperity. It fills the  heart with wisdom, tranquility, intimacy and contentment. It is a source  of protection from the dangerous, deviant and sinful thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"c3\"><span class=\"c2\"><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"syndicated-attribution\">Read more \/ Original news source: <a href=\"http:\/\/kanglaonline.com\/2011\/08\/ramadan-a-general-perspective\/\">http:\/\/kanglaonline.com\/2011\/08\/ramadan-a-general-perspective\/<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By:\u00a0 Mohd. Nasir Ahmed, Shillong- 793001 (nasir2kman[@]yahoo.com) Ramadan- a general perspective Ramadan (Sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam and the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/kanglaonline.com\/2011\/08\/ramadan-a-general-perspective\/\">Read more <span>&#187;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,4],"tags":[437,664,330,667,669],"class_list":["post-13731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-kanglaonline","category-news","tag-articlesopinion","tag-islam","tag-kanglaonline-2","tag-ramadan","tag-religion-spirituality"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13731"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13731\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.manipur.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}