Ramadan(Ramzan)- Purpose and History

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Over one million Muslims all over the world are excited as Ramadan- also called as Ramzan- in countries like India- has started. It is indeed a special month for believers and they await its arrival to observe fasts to fine tune their lives with spirituality, modesty and patience. They treat the holy month as a time for inner reflection, devotion to Allah (God) and self-control. Ramadan is a religious obligation and offers an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by going without and to grow stronger by enduring weakness. Apart from fasting, the month is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Quran, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds.

Ramadan was the name of the ninth month in Arabian culture long before the advent of Islam. The dates of Ramadan vary and move forward about ten days each year as its commencement depends upon sighting of the moon. The word Ramadan is derived from an Arabicroot rmd, as in words like "ramida" or "ar-ramad" denoting intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of rations. Al Masudi in his work Muruj Al-Thaheb also claims that Ramadan received its name because of the warm weather during that month. For fasting, the Holy Quran proclaims “fasting has been written down as obligatory upon you, as it was upon those before you". According to the earliest hadith(hadees0, ‘before you’ in the proclamation refers to the Jewish practice of fasting on yom kipur. The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad started Ramadan for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah, and to offer more prayers than usual. Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) also falls during the holy month. It commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Qur'an and is considered the most holy night of the year.  In the Quran Allah  declares about   the night of power "We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!... This until the rise of Morn!" (Qur'an - Surah 97 - Al Qadr)

Ramadan is a time of reflecting and worshiping. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The very purpose of Ramadan or fasting dilutes if the believers on the plea   that ritual allows them to eat after breaking the fast( Iftar) eat a large meal at night and wake up early in the morning to consume another big meal. There is no place of any type of  hypocrisy during Ramadan .Instead of eating simple meals like other months of the year if the believers  arrange for elaborate meals, it’s not true fasting, but an excuse for eating extra in the name of  fasting. They fail to realize that by doing so they have simply changed the time of their meals from daylight to darkness. Such Muslims need to understand fellowship with Allah does not depend upon arduous or deceptive religious practices. Allah never grants fellowship on the basis of religious practices alone. It should always be remembered that fasting is a special act of worship only between humans and God since no one else knows for sure if the person is actually fasting. Allah says in his holy book “Fasting is for Me and I only will reward it". In another tradition (haddith or hadees), the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad said "If one does not give up falsehoods in words and actions, Allah has no need of him giving up food and drink".

Fasting has many other benefits as well. It helps the believers to learn the art of self-control. It is also a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning how to thank and appreciate for all of Allah’s bounties. Fasting is also advantageous to health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature. During the month, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace and tranquility for those who fast. Personal hostility decreases. Muslims derive inspiration from the words of holy Prophet who said, "If one slanders you or aggresses against you, say I am fasting." This psychological improvement changes undesirable behavior. There is a benefit of extra prayers in the holy month, especially at night. This helps in energy output.( references available on request)