Ramadan in Mission Viejo

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar and starts 11 days earlier every year. This year it lasts from Aug 1-30. It is the month when the Quran, the Muslim holy book, was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It is incumbent on Muslim adults to fast during the month. However, exceptions are made for the elderly, the sick and women who are pregnant or nursing.

During this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink the entire day. At sunset, they break their fast with a special meal called iftar. It is recommended that one break his or her fast with dates, but one can break the fast with milk, water or just about anything edible.

Just as going to the gym keeps one’s body in shape, Ramadan is meant to keep a Muslim’s spiritual being in shape. Eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations with one’s spouse are prohibited until sunset. Additionally, self-restraint and self-control are heavily emphasized. Muslims are supposed to avoid engaging in foul talk and to exercise kindness and patience. Many attend long, nightly prayers at mosques, read the Quran and give to the poor. These actions are meant to further help attain selflessness and break down the natural temptations of satisfying one’s physical and other desires.

The act of fasting is rooted in history.

In the Quran, God says: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.” (2:183)

Other faith traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity prescribe fasting too. For instance, Buddhists fast on days of the full moon or other holidays, during which they abstain from solid food. In Hinduism, fasting is practiced on days of the new moon and such festivals as Shivarati, Saraswati Puja. Fasting may extend for 24 hours, with a drink of water or milk allowed. Catholics do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. They also abstain from meat on all Fridays in Lent. In Judaism, fasting occurs on seven days during the year, one of which is Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. On this day, Jews abstain from eating and drinking for 25 hours.

In all, self-restraint and self-control are emphasized. Internal purification, increased worship and caring for the poor and needy are also stressed. For Muslims, the month represents focus on spirituality and strengthening one’s connection with God. There are four levels of purification: purifying one’s words, actions, feelings and, eventually,  one’s thoughts. We are not able to control which thoughts come to our mind; however, we fully choose the ones we want to dwell on.

Ramadan is followed by one of two major holidays: Eid-ul-Adha. This is when Muslim children, mothers and fathers wear beautiful, brightly colored clothes and perform Eid prayers at mosques or community centers. Later, they exchange sweets and gifts with family members and friends.

If you have Muslim friends or neighbors, you can help make Ramadan a more spiritually beneficial time for them as well as yourself by being sensitive to their fasting practices. They’ll be very appreciative.