Ramadhan -- month of self-restraint<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
Based on the hisab (calculation by arithmetical means) and
\nsighting of the new moon (rukyat), experts and ulemas confirmed
\nthat this year's holy month of Ramadhan starts tomorrow. During
\nRamadhan, Moslems should refrain from eating, drinking and having
\nsex from dawn to dusk for 29 consecutive days, and also from
\nother behavior considered un-Islamic. The Jakarta Post
\ninterviewed Moslem scholars on the significance of fasting. The
\nfollowing story also reveals century-old traditions related to
\nfasting and spiritual advancement. More stories on Page 7.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): "The holy month of Ramadhan always brings
\npeacefulness and happiness to all members of my family," says a
\nfather of three.<\/p>\n
Rizal Akbar, a 36-year-old engineer, is eager to greet the
\nfasting month, which he considers a perfect time for him to
\nimprove his spiritual life.<\/p>\n
"I am convinced that most Moslems share a similar feeling and
\nsentiment about Ramadhan," Rizal said.<\/p>\n
Indeed, his sentiment seems representative of the entire
\nMoslem community in Indonesia. The community makes up 90 percent
\nof the country's 180 million population.<\/p>\n
Moslems see Ramadhan as a month of blessing that provides them
\nwith the opportunity to purify themselves. They hope that through
\nfasting God will reward them with forgiveness for their
\nwrongdoings. They also believe that God will return their good
\ndeeds many times over.<\/p>\n
Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam as stated in Sura
\nAl-Baqara 183. "Ye who Believes! Fasting is prescribed to you as
\nit was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self
\nrestraint."<\/p>\n
Only the aged, pregnant women, nursing mothers, sick people
\nand those who are traveling long distances are exempted from this
\nobligation.<\/p>\n
Blessing<\/p>\n
Dr. Quraish Shihab, rector of the State Institute for Islamic
\nStudies in Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post recently that the
\nfasting month serves to bring Moslems closer to God and to seek
\nhis mercy.<\/p>\n
"Fasting is not intended to make people feel thirsty and
\nhungry. It has a transcendental meaning, which is to guide
\nMoslems to achieve the highest point of religious devotion," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Fasting, he said, is more than just about eating and drinking
\nduring the day. Fasting is a time for exercising self-control and
\ngreater discipline, the scholar added.<\/p>\n
"Fasting is a very specific form of worship. Nobody but God
\nknows whether a man is fasting or not," he explained.<\/p>\n
When a Moslem prays or performs the haj pilgrimage, people can
\nwitness his religious act, he said. "But, when he fasts, he can
\ncheat people by eating or drinking in a hidden place. He can also
\nsteal other people's money or have sexual intercourse in daytime
\nwithout anyone noticing," Dr. Shihab concluded.<\/p>\n
"The biggest challenge in fasting is fighting one's desire
\nwhich is called jihad akbar (the great holy war); the fight
\nagainst oneself. If he can control his own desire, he wins the
\nwar," the scholar said.<\/p>\n
Fasting has social and political implications, he said. If
\npeople understand the essence of fasting and practice it in their
\ndaily lives, we will have a prosperous society and a clean
\ngovernment, he insisted.<\/p>\n
He also reminded Indonesian Moslems that fasting should not
\nslow down their daily activities. History reveals that many great
\nevents, including Indonesia's independence on Aug. 17, l945,
\noccurred during the fasting month.<\/p>\n
Dawam Rahardjo, another noted Moslem scholar, called on
\nMoslems to increase their spiritual activities during the fasting
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
"They should pay serious attention to their spiritual lives in
\norder to lead a more balanced and harmonious life," Dawam said.<\/p>\n
If people do not set Ramadhan as a special time for self-
\ncontemplation, they may not do it during the rest of the year, he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Fasting, he said, can increase people's solidarity and
\nawareness for the poor. Moslems are required to be more
\ncharitable and to help the needy during the fasting month, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"It is the right time for the rich to help alleviate poverty
\nin the country," he said.<\/p>\n
It is hoped that fasting will bring significant religious and
\nsocial values to those who observe it, Dawam said.<\/p>\n
"Fasting has become a social phenomenon in the country. It is
\nclosely related to the social, cultural and traditional
\nactivities that enrich the country," Dawam said.<\/p>\n
Tradition<\/p>\n
Fasting in Indonesia is indeed colored by the country's rich
\ntraditions. Many places in Indonesia have their own tradition to
\ngreet the fasting month.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, people welcome Ramadhan with its
\ncentury-old tradition called dhugderan, which is a blend of
\nJavanese, Islamic and Chinese traditions.<\/p>\n
This tradition, which was started in l881 by Semarang regent
\nRMTA Purbaningrat, is an expression of the people's gratitude for
\nGod's blessings. It also functions as a medium to inform the
\npublic that the holy month of Ramadhan is coming. Dhugderan is
\ndepicted through an imaginary rhino-like animal called warak
\nngendog, a symbol of prosperity.<\/p>\n
The day before Ramadhan, the effigy is paraded through the
\ncity's streets to the (Semarang) Great Mosque. The parade has
\nbecome a big celebration and a tourist attraction drawing
\nthousands of people.<\/p>\n
In Tasikmalaya, West Java, people hold munggahan, a small
\nparty to welcome the fasting month. Each family invites their
\nrelatives to attend the party which will be followed by Koran
\nreading and other religious activities. They can also send food
\nto the needy. The tradition is intended to encourage people to
\nproperly meet one of their religious obligations. Through this,
\nparents attempt to prove the benefit of the fasting month to
\ntheir offspring.<\/p>\n
In Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra, people hold a special
\nritual called marpangir. During the ceremony, people clean their
\nbodies with herbs like lemon grass. The ritual symbolizes
\ncleaning one's body and soul before fasting.<\/p>\n
In Cirebon and Indramayu, West Java, and Sumenep in Madura,
\ntraditional music plays a significant role during the Ramadhan
\nfasting month. Obrog is played by young and old men in Cirebon
\nand Indramayu. They perform music and dance pieces to wake up
\npeople for the sahur breakfast.<\/p>",
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