My Sunday Thought for June 14, 2015: What Is Ramadan?

Photo - Vincent Kessle

The blessed month of Ramadan begins at sunset this Wednesday, June 17.  

So, just what is Islam's blessed month of Ramadan?  Well, it should make us all feel bad as Muslims, Christians, and Jews if we don't do what Islam does for more than one "blessed month" a year. 

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking. 

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words. 

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.  

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. 

Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.

-- Islam.about.com

Setting aside the requirement to "abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs," I would view the rest of it as a daily ritual of focusing attention on God, self-sacrifice, and a re-evaluation of our life.  Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't wait for Ramadan to make peace with those who have wronged us and constantly strengthened ties with family and friends and cleaned up our lives, thoughts, and feelings?  Isn't it a daily edict to refrain from evil actions, thoughts and words?  I think God expects this 24/7/365.  Am I wrong?

It would seem Ramadan is a time for Islam to admit no one is perfect, except Allah.  It would also seem that, like Christianity and Judaism, even Muslims fail at daily adherence to the faith, I mean, let's face it, if they were constantly faithful there would be no need for Ramadan.  We are all in need of some daily cleansing and sorting out, even the most faithful.

I have great respect for the three Abrahamic religions, as well as the other world philosophies that follow a path of peace, love, and brotherhood.  I think the "religious" terrorist extremists in the world might do well to refrain from evil actions, thoughts, and words, for more than just one month a year as I have a feeling God meant this to be a daily undertaking, not to be reinterpreted for their own personal agenda.  As for the rest of us, I personally try not to follow in the footsteps of the League of the Perpetually Offended, but it really bothers me when people find the need to prove free speech by offending someone's religious beliefs.  If you want to exercise your freedom, do so without drawing the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).  Respect their beliefs as much as you'd like them to respect yours.  Or to put it more succinctly, don't be a suicidal jackass.  God expects more of us.

To all of my peaceful Islamic readers, may Allah bring peace and blessings into your life and home.  Ramadan Mubarak!

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."