Ramadan Reflections

Fasting and Growing!

Going without food and drink for a day is no easy feat! It takes effort, determination and a healthy dose of willpower. As Ramadan fast approaches, Muslim communities are preparing to re-set their daily schedules to fast during daylight hours…… for a month.

However, fasting is not a new concept and is practised by many faiths and cultures. The Old and New Testaments both mention fasting in relation to Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them.) Buddhist and Hindu communities have a fasting tradition too; albeit with differences. Many give up something during Lent and Jews may fast on Yom Kippur.

Fasting hinges upon the belief that giving up something will fuel our souls with new growth. That’s quite a different outlook, when we as humans tend to want to satisfy our needs quickly and without waiting. Our consumerist language reflects that in slogans such as ‘Grab and Go!’ ‘Fast Fashion’ and promoting the latest ‘Must Haves.’ Denying our physical needs may sound alien but is actually about nurturing the internal; it’s about spiritual growth and connecting with God. Communities also make an extra effort to come together to eat and pray. With avoiding food and drink comes the really hard work of going that extra mile to be a better person; avoiding being unkind, being upstanding, refraining from harsh words or backbiting etc….

We live at a time when wants and desires can be satisfied at the click of a button. We don’t need to move very far to get hold of the latest ‘must haves’ or receive a parcel delivered straight to our door. There is a huge disparity in what we feel we need and the effort expended in getting hold of it; a huge mismatch in work, energy and time spent acquiring more. What does that mean in terms of how we develop patience, forbearance and internal growth? How do we learn to distinguish what we want from what we need, wait for things to come to us, invest time into saving up, sometimes do without and yet still be grateful to God and generous to others?

Fasting is a time to press the pause button and re set. Effort and hard graft have to be put in for results to be achieved. It is the spring cleaning of the soul, after all.
It’s not easy though- I often find that more lunch time meetings crop up and coffee shop aromas seem more enticing during Ramadan! That is where the self discipline and patience come in.

Finally, it is a time to remember those who have less; living in poverty, fear and famine. Fasting sharpens our awareness of the situation of others. The closure of Ramadan brings the strong tradition of charity; reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves- on these shores and beyond.

The last few decades have seen the emergence of some amazing initiatives that serve to share the Ramadan experience with friends and neighbours. ‘Taste Ramadan’ and ‘Dine at Mine’ are two such projects wherein Muslim families and mosques open their doors to share the evening meal with friends and strangers. And where better to bring people together than at the dining table?!
Why not take on the challenge of fasting with a Muslim friend this year?

I am always in awe of those who commit themselves to rigorous training regimes; marathons, mountain climbs, cross channel swims etc…. Ramadan is like one of those training regimes but where the body is put through its paces so the soul can grow nearer to its Creator.

‘Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Piety.” (Quran 2:183)

Sara Saigol