Ali Jaffri of the Shia Muslim Idara-E-Jaaferiya Mosque in Tooting tells us about Ramadan and the significance of fasting.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. In order to facilitate the observation of the Islamic rituals for all Muslims, the Islamic calendar is lunar-based. The Almighty Allah states in the Qur’an, “They ask you about the new moons. Say: these are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage.” [2:189].

It is the month during which Muslims observe fasting from morning twilight (Fajr Prayer) to the evening twilight (Maghreb Prayer). The term Ramadan is driven from al-Ramd in Arabic which means ‘burning heat of the sun’. It is believed that this name is given to the fasting month due to the thirst experienced during fasting.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Fasting is prescribed in this month. It is a month in which the holy Qur’an was revealed [2:185]. According to some traditions, the Scriptures of Ibrahim, the Torah of Moses and the Psalms of David (peace be upon his pure progeny and all the previous prophets) were all revealed in the month of Ramadan.

Fasting is an obligation in Islam, not an option. It is one of the five pillars on which Islam is built. The benefits of fasting are manifold. Fasting has personal, social, hygienic and best of all spiritual benefits.

Imam As-Sadiq (peace be upon him), the 6th holy Shia Imam, was asked why fasting is obligatory. The Imam replied: “Verily, Allah made fasting obligatory in order to equalise between the poor and the rich. Surely, the rich people would not otherwise feel the pain of hunger to be kind to the poor. For the rich will reach anything they wish. Thus, the Almighty Allah willed to equalise between His servants and to give a taste of the pain of hunger to the rich so that he becomes more lenient to the weak people and be more merciful towards the hungry ones.”

The main purpose of fasting is to gain ‘self-restraint’, as stated in the holy Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may observe self-restraint (al-Taqwa).” [2:183]

Unique Characteristics of Fasting

Fasting, like praying and pilgrimage to Hajj, is worshipping. Nonetheless, it has its own unique characteristics. The following are some of the unique characteristics of fasting.

The longest worshipping: Fasting is the longest worshipping of God. Daily prayers will not take more than one hour every day at most. Pilgrimage to Hajj will not take more than a few weeks in a life time. The worshipping of fasting is about 12 to 16 hours (depending on the season and your geographical location) and lasts for a whole month every year. In other words, a faster typically spends more than 400 hours within one month for worshipping Allah.

Does not interrupt your daily life: Fasting unlike other types of worshipping does not interrupt our daily transactions. One cannot normally offer his/her daily prayers whilst working. You ought to take a break from your work, perform your ablution, find a suitable place and offer your prayers. Pilgrimage to Hajj interrupts your daily life even more so. Fasting exceptionally is the only type of worshipping that can be observed whilst one is doing his normal daily work. It does not interrupt your worldly life at all. Amazingly a faster is still in the state of worshipping Allah even if he/she is asleep. Fasting is only in conflict with sinning.

Worshipping God without any action: All other types of worshipping consist of some actions. Take the example of daily prayers. It is the combination of some recitation of the Qur’an and some recitation in different postures. The same applies to Hajj, charity etc. Fasting is the only of worshipping of Allah that amazingly consists of some non-doings! Fasting is avoidance of drinking, eating etc – a faster does not require to do anything. It is enough not to do anything! This is the reason why it is in no conflict with our daily lives.

We will be hosting a community Iftar event at 8pm on 22 May, which is open to all. Please come along to celebrate and eat with us and to learn more about Ramadan.