Universe: Significance of fasting during Ramzan

THE word ‘Ramzan’ comes from the Arabic word ‘ramad’, which means intense scorching heat. Scholar Imam al-Zamaraq Shari writes that when the names of the months were changed from the ancient language, they were named according to the season in which these months fell. This month fell during the days of intense heat and that is why it was called Ramadan or Ramzan.

In India, the Arabic letter ‘zwad’, which is part of the word Ramzan, is pronounced as ‘z’, while in Arabic it is pronounced as ‘dw’ with the tongue touching the palate. In Arab countries or those who speak Arabic call this holy month as Ramadan, while in India we call it Ramzan. Despite different pronunciations, it remains as holy a month, the holiest month of Islam.

Those who believe in Islam have been fasting for a long time. There is mention in the Koran of Mary fasting. During earlier times, these fasts were not observed for a whole month. These were taken as vows during mourning or on some happy occasion. The full-month fasting during Ramzan started in the year 624 AD or the second Hijri, as it was called. This was 18 months after the Hijrah or the migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina.

What does this month of fasting entail for us? Keeping a roza does not mean that you just stay hungry or thirsty during Ramzan. It also means you have to protect yourself from everything that is base or evil in you, or anything that could lead to any wrongdoing. The main purpose of this pious month is to learn self-restraint and guard against all temptations and evil. It is not only a physical detox, but also a spiritual detox. When you come out of this month, you should come out stronger, more spiritual and a better person, having learnt one good thing or having left behind one addiction or bad habit.

This self-restraint means restraint over everything — your soul, your psyche, your base instincts, any unlawful or illegal desire in the eyes of religion and law. As a Hadith says, if you do not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah will not accept your fasting.

So, keeping a roza does not mean only abstaining from food and water, but it is also a roza for your eyes — you must guard yourself from being attracted towards evil and to raise one’s voice if one witnesses anything wrong or oppressive. The roza is also for the body — it means one must not indulge in wrongful and illegal acts. The roza is also for the heart and mind, to remain engrossed in remembrance of God and spirituality and remain steadfast in your beliefs.

Ramzan is the month for giving zakat (charity) and helping those who are needy. Also, Allah does not want people who are fasting to be inconvenienced either and in case one is sick or travelling, one can make up for it by fasting later. Allah intends ease for you and does not want to make things difficult for you.

When we were children, we would have a simple iftar at home. There was no conspicuous consumption, no extravagant spending. We would eat our sehri (meal to be had before dawn prayers) and iftar (evening meal to break the fast) at home. We did not go out for iftar parties unless there was a roza kushai, which is somebody keeping a first roza.

As far as you can, help those less fortunate. Zakat can also be given digitally through whatever portals you trust.

Stay strong in faith. Ramzan Mubarak.

— The writer is an author and historian