Indian Newslink May 1, 2018 Digital Edition

MAY 1, 2018
18 Ramadan Special
Ramadan reinforces basic duties of Muslims
Hazim Arafeh
The Holy month of Ramadan
is observed by Muslims
world over on the Ninth
month of the Muslim Lunar
Calendar, which is considered by
Muslims as one of the most sacred
months of the year.
Fasting during the month of
Ramadan, known as “Sawm,” is
one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the
basic religious duties for Muslims.
The other Four Pillars are
Shahadah (declaring the oneness
of Allah and that Prophet
Muhammad is His Messenger),
Salat (ritual prayer performed
five times daily), Zakat (obligatory
charity for the poor and the needy
at 2.5%), and the Hajj (performing
the pilgrimage to Makkah at
least once in the lifetime if one is
healthy and financially able).
Strengthening Faiths
Ramadan is the time when
Muslims, even as we continue with
our daily routines strive to become
even better by strengthening our
faiths, carrying out more deeds of
social responsibility and expressing
gratitude to Allah Almighty
for every blessing that we have
received.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast
from sunrise to sunset daily, not
having anything to eat, drink,
smoke or indulging in intimate
relations.
A special feast is prepared for
the breaking of the fast, where
everyone present is invited to partake
of the dinner after the all-day
fast.
Commitment to Allah
Fasting during the month of
Ramadan makes a Muslim commit
himself more to Allah and render
service to the community in terms
of helping the poor and the indigent,
bringing relief to the needy
and orphans and providing safety
for weak members of the society.
The Holy Quran states that those
Good lessons from the Muslim Community
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
According to the Muslim
faith, it was during
Ramadan, the Ninth month
of the Muslim calendar
that the Holy Quran, the Sacred
Book, “was sent down from heaven,
guidance unto men, a declaration
of direction and a means of
Salvation.”
This is also the time of the year
when Muslims concentrate on their
faith and spend less time on the
concerns of their everyday lives.
In the Arab world, where this
writer lived and worked for more
than two decades, the governments,
philanthropists, welfare organisations
and community groups offer
alms.
Muslims offering Taraweeh in the United States.
Picture Courtesy: Mohd Samsul Mohd Said/Getty Images
The Red Crescent Society (called The International
Red Cross is so called in these areas) offers rice,
wheat, vegetables and fruits and other essentials to
the needy.
Days to Fast
“Fasting is one way of realising the true state of
hunger and the Holy Month is devoted understanding
the sufferings of some sections of the society.
who do more good deeds during
the blessed month of Ramadhan
will receive more rewards than
usual.
Special (Taraweeh) prayers are
conducted in the evenings at all
Masjids which every Muslims look
forward to attend with keenness.
Special Eid Al Fitr facilities
The month of Ramadan ends
with special festivities on the Eid
Al Fitr (Day of Feasting) celebration
when families and friends truly
rejoice for having completed the
commandment of Allah by successful
abstinence and by zikr (remembrance
of Allah) at all times.
Eid Al Fitr is celebrated together
with family and friends and the
wider Muslim community, which
Abstinence from pleasures
of life (all entertainment
and night club activities
are suspended during the
Month, even after dusk) including
sex with spouses
helps Muslims to concentrate
on the teachings of
Islam,” areligious leader
said.
At the end of the day the
fast is broken with prayer
and a meal called the Iftar.
Iftar for families and
friends
In the evening following
the Iftar, it is customary for
Muslims to go out visiting
family and friends. The fast
is resumed the next morning.
It is also customary for
commercial and industrial
undertakings in the Arab
world to host special dinners
after Iftar for staff and clients,
at least once during the Holy
Month.
Pregnant women, children,
those in poor health and suffering
from certain types of
ailments including diabetes
are exempt from fasting, in
addition to Muslims travelling
overseas. But many travellers
do observe the fasting hours,
irrespective of their schedules.
Teachings of the Holy Quran
According to the Holy
Quran: “One may eat and
drink at any time during the
night ‘until you can plainly
distinguish a white thread
from a black thread by the
daylight: then keep the fast until
night.”
The Muslim Faith also states
that the good accruing from
not only helps to reinforce moral
and family values and foster a
sense of identity and belonging to
one’s particular community, but
also helps the wider Muslim community
to appreciate them.
This is an occasion for thanksgiving
and forgiveness and signifies
openness of the mind.
On behalf of Federation of
Islamic Council of New Zealand
(FIANZ) Council, Executive members
and staff, I wish all of you
Ramadan Kareem!
Jazak Allahu Khairan.
Wassalaam
Hazim Arafeh is President of the
Federation of Islamic Associations
of New Zealand based in
Wellington (Picture Supplied)
fasting can be nullified by the
following: telling a lie, slander,
denouncing someone in his or
her absence, a false oath and
greed or covetousness. While
these are considered offensive
at all times, the offense is believed
to be multifold during
Ramadan.
Muslims also spend several
hours praying and studying
the Holy Quran.
Many Mosques conduct special
classes for both Muslims
and non-Muslims keen on
learning the teachings of the
Holy Book. In addition to
the five daily prayers, aspecial
prayer is recited during
Ramadan. Called, ‘Taraweeh,’
this night prayer is usually
longer.
Steadfast Muslims spend
the entire night in prayer in
Mosques.