‘O YE who believe fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.’
When Nazia on Monday began her first Roza, this commandment from the Holy Quran echoed in her soul throughout the 14 hours of fasting. “I feel a quiet within unlike the unrest that continues on ordinary days in the mind,” she says about the period of fasting. Abdul believes fasting during Ramzan makes him stronger mentally and spiritually. The young college student adds it somehow makes him realise his mistakes and sins of the past that he takes care not to repeat in future.
Indeed, that is why the ninth month of the lunar calendar of Muslims, Ramzan is believed to be one of the five pillars of Islam. As an act of devotion a person observing the fast is required to abstain from food, drink, smoking and sinful deeds. “Fasting is a discipline to promote uprightness and virtue, spiritually, morally and physically. This month is most auspicious being the special time for divine worship,” says Syed Sadruddin Razwi, Imam of the 400 year old historic Qadame-e-rasool in Cuttack. “Ramzan is an order from Allah wherein the farz or duty of donation or zakat to the poor upto at least 2.5 per cent of one’s savings has been allotted to Muslims. The month is so pious that Allah forgives sins of all those who observe fasting. The gates of Jannat are open while those of hell or Jahannum are closed for the entire month,” he adds.
During fasting it is suggested one concentrates on the worship of God and forgets worldly pleasures. Acknowledged by medical experts as an excellent means of curbing obesity and overweight problems, fasting develops will-power while curbing bodily desires and habitual self-indulgences. Most importantly, it places everybody, rich and poor alike. All experience the wrench of hunger that develops feelings of sympathy and dignity for fellow humans.
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