Welcome........Ramazan-al-Mubarak

It is that time of the year (The Lunar Calendar) when more than a quarter of the world will await with joy and eagerness for the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. However a section of a breed of humanity called as Indian politicians will be eager to befool the Muslims and the general public to showcase their pseudo-secularism. It that time of the year when every other day you will find front page pictures and news about a Sonia Gandhi or a Ramvilas Paswan or a Lalu Prasad, and for the past few years (ironically) the BJP central working committee, holding the Iftaar party, calling some fake Mulla’s and eating ravenously, with none having kept the fast, and rather having eaten sumptuously for the whole day. Ramazan and fasting in their eyes is limited to only the delicacies at the time of Iftaar laid down upon the table.

The holy Ramazan is the 9th month of Islamic Hijri Calendar and is the most pious and blessed month. The Qura’an describes it as better than a thousand months in blessings and virtues. Ramazan derives from the Arabic root: ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness. Just like scorching heat melts the elements and purifies the substance, the month of Ramazan too purifies ones soul and body by making him free from all sins and evils, as that of a child. It was this month when the Holy Qura’an was revealed upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by the angel Jibrae’el. The month begins with the sighting of the New Moon, signifying the beginning of the period of Roza and Taraweeh. Taraweeh is the special prayers performed during the night and involves recitation of the Holy Qura’an, during the course of Ramazan. Roza or fasting is synonymous with Ramazan. Muslims do not take any food or even water from dawn to dusk for the whole month. The early dawn intake of food is called Sehar and breaking of fast after sunset is called Iftaar. The benefits of fasting are immense, not only spiritual but also practical:
1. The main motive of fasting was to help the privileged realize the sufferings faced by the poor. It helps one to feel compassion for the less fortunate ones by making them undergo their feelings of hunger and thirst. Thus it offers a time for Muslims to "purify" their bodies as well as their souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spirituality and community.

2. Through fasting, Muslims learn to control their natural urges such as hunger, thirst and the worldly desires and thus are able to better resist temptations for things which are not necessary, such as excessive food intake, drugs or other unhealthy or harmful substances and also their behaviors. It allows one to build a sense of self-control and will-power, which can be beneficial throughout life in dealing with temptations and peer-pressure.

3. Ramazan is a month of self-regulation and self-training in Islamic Calender. Most Muslims fast because it has been ordained to them in the Quran. However the Medical benefits of fasting are immense:

- Helps in weight management, as it triggers the liver to break fats by the process of Autolysis.
- Helps in maintaining the health of digestive tract and for lowering lipids.
- Does not have the adverse effects of starvation or crash dieting undertaken by people over conscious about their figure and body.
- The physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar, cholesterol and the systolic blood pressure.
- Abstinence from water causes concentration of fluids in the body and a short term slight dehydration that improves elasticity of tissue walls.
- Short term dehydration also increases the fiber content in the digestive tract that helps in better absorption of nutrients from the food.
- Lowering of Metabolism rate results in psychological improvement that could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes.
- The lowered rate of activity of colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands and digestive tract results in detoxification of these body parts.
- Fasting increases the healing process and increases longevity, as the energy is diverted away from the digestive system towards immune system.

Detailed report:

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/biology/b103/f02/web1/wcarroll.html

The activities of Ramazan are not limited to these alone. The giving away of alms and the regular charity reaps rich dividends in the world and hereafter. Muslims generally give out their Zakat, which is one of the five pillars of Islam in the month of Ramazan. Zakat is 2.5% of the savings from what you earn. That means if you save Rs.1000, you have to pay Zakat of Rs. 25. The amount is kept very small, basically so as not to tax the Muslims of their hard earned money at the same time ensuring that they do not neglect their poor brothern. Zakat is compulsory on every Muslim, who earns and has a property equivalent to 7.5 tola of Gold or 52.5 tola of Silver (1 tola = 10 grams). Zakat is given to poor Muslims, who according to the definition do not posses property as defined above, and become eligible to receive Zakat. It is required that one should distribute Zakat on the basis of priority. The first among the receivers should be your poor relatives, followed by your poor neighbors’ and then the remaining amount can be given to local seminaries like Madarsaa’s and schools run by/for Muslims.

The other charity is the Fitra’a, from which the name Eid-ul-Fitr is derived. This is given out on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, and constitutes of giving away wheat equal to 2kg and 25 grams or its equivalent price in money. This charity is to be given out from each and every member present in the family, and any poor visiting your house on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr should be benefited from Fitra’a.

The hardships of Ramazan are rewarded by the day of celebration and sharing of love and spreading sweetness. The New Moon of Eid is sighted either on 29th or 30th day of Ramazan. It is believed that most people mourn the sighting of the New Moon as it meant the end of Ramazan and along with it the generous shower of blessings upon them and unlocking of Shaitaan, who is locked by Allah during the month of Ramazan, to keep him away from misguiding the worshipers. The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims across the globe by offering special Namaz in the morning. This is followed by wishing each other by Muaa’nka (embracing/hugging) and Musaa’fa (handshaking). Elders give out goodies and gifts to children in form of Eidee. The festival is also very popular among others because of the Sevaiyaan, the delicacy prepared on the day.

However the true essence of Ramazan is not limited to following these rituals, but also making sure you keep your virtue and character clean and noble by not speaking lies, doing backbiting or indulging in sins forbidden not only in Islam but also by the society. It also means that we limit ourselves to submission to Allah and being good not only during the month of Ramazan but the entire year and our life.

Greetings from me for the Holy month of Ramazan-al-Mubarak.