By Sharmin Ahmad
Minaret of Freedom Institute Secretary
Ramadan is the embodiment of reflection, revelation, revolution, and
restoration. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began his journey
into
prophethood through reflection within. He was searching for a broader
meaning
in life that would restore justice and peace in society. He was looking
for an
answer that would transcend the need for survival for materialism
alone, and
transform humanity into it's desired, spiritually imbibed wholesome
state. He
reflected and meditated. He pondered and wondered in silence for many
years in
the sanctuary of a remote cave, surrounded by the steep, barren,
mountains
situated in the outskirts of the Mecca city. Finally he received the
answers in
the form of divine revelations. In the ninth month of the Arabic
calendar,
known as Ramadan. The very first word of the revelation was Iqra' or
read and
the entire revelations known as the Quran began each chapter by
invoking,
"The most merciful", and "The most compassionate"
attributes of God. Ramadan opened the door to the illuminated
message
that prophet Muhammad would continue to receive for the next
twenty-three years of his life. The ignorant and barbaric Arab
society, in
which, it was custom among some tribes to bury female children
alive, by
then was transformed. The revelations brought forth the
revolution of the heart in which blossomed the fragrant flowers of
mercy
and compassion-the essential building blocks for a just and civilized
society.
The very first message Iqra inspired the ignorant nation to
glean knowledge from all aspects of life, and then inspired them
to share
it with others, irrespective of creed, color, or sex for the common
good of
humanity. The seed of this remarkable transformation of a
nation was
planted in the month of Ramadan fourteen hundred
years ago. The
Ramadan of the year 2003, the first day of which is marked by the
birth of
a new moon-the feminine yin energy of the cosmos offers the same
guidelines and
symbolizes the same ideas as it did in the seventh century.
Muslims all over the world would celebrate Ramadan which is also one of
the
five pillars of Islam by refraining from food, water, and conjugal
relationship
from dawn to dusk (sick, elderly, pregnant women, and travelers are not
required to fast). Generally Muslims would break their fasts with
dates,
following the tradition of prophet Muhammad, followed by dinner. People
would
cook dinner according to their own cultural tradition. For example my
Egyptian
Arab husband Amr would prefer chicken soup, bread, and bamia (okra cooked with lamb, tomato, and garlic)
which are non-spicy Mediterranean style dishes, where as my south Asian
Bengali
upbringing would prefer spicy dishes, such as fried lentil
fritters(
lentil puree mixed with chili pepper, minced cilantro, onion) or red
hot curry.
Over the years we learned to compromise on our cultural expectations in
order
to make our Ramadan dinner joyful. And guess what? My husband began to
enjoy
spicy dishes, and I love the soup. Ramadan is also a time for
family union
and extended celebration with friends and neighbors lasting for a
month. Extra
prayer, charity, recitation, and completion of the holy Qur’an are high
lights
of this month. Restraining one’s anger, refraining from gossip,
backbiting,
etc., are required self-developmental features manifested through the
physical
fasting.
In the United States Muslims encounter extra challenge during the
fasting
month. They keep their fast, and perform extra rituals, in the midst of
a
majority of non-fasting people and a non-observing environment. Yet it
is this
extra challenge that makes ones fasting more meaningful. It is in this
challenge that one’s weary spirit is rejuvenated, and vision expanded
to
embrace humanity as one’s own. This month offers opportunity to Muslims
to
explain the meaning of Ramadan to his/her fellow non-Muslim friends,
neighbors,
and colleagues. Many mosques in the U.S.A would extend open invitation
to
non-Muslims to join their Muslim neighbors who would break fasts
in the
mosque and to experience the warmth of Muslim hospitality, and cultural
diversity.
Ramadan offers to a true seeker a self-reflective course, illuminated by the eternal revelations, so that the revolution of the heart can take place for the restoration of justice, peace, and harmony in the world.