The importance of Ramadhan
Can't a man thank God that The Jakarta Post has published his three letters on religion, particularly Islam?
On April 4, 1996 my letter titled Politics and Religion in Sudan appeared in the Post. Then, another letter Islamic information was published on June 18, 1997. The last, on Sept. 19, 1997, was called Islam in Africa.
I am citing all the above in order to remind readers that even in terms of knowledge a scholar must not be miserly.
In this letter, my fourth, I intend to give some academic charity involving information on the Moslem fasting month or what the Holy Koran simply calls "Shahr Ramadhan".
The importance of this month can't be written in a small column.
Islam, both in the Koran and in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, has been built upon five pillars, and fasting during Ramadhan is one of the five.
No Moslem is a Moslem if he doesn't believe in Ramadhan fasting. In fact, as the Prophet Muhammad quoted the word of God: "Every man's good (deed) is (done) for himself except fasting (for God)."
It's during this month that we find what in the Koran is called Lailaful Qadr (The night of power) which has been described as "better than a thousand nights" in terms of greatness and blessing.
Imagine, Satan and the fires of hell are held at bay and hidden throughout the month, and the entrance to paradise is wide open.
In the same way, thousands of individuals' numerous sins are wiped out entirely by the Creator, Allah. This depends on how impeccably and sincerely a person performs his or her fasting. The Koran was revealed on the night of power. This fast is mentioned in chapter 97 verse one of the Holy Koran.
The importance of the fasting month even extends to non- Moslems. For example the risk of inhaling cigarette smoke in the street in the morning or afternoon is reduced. Non-Moslems who don't smoke certainly welcome this development for health reasons.
From a medical perspective, I once heard statements quoting physicians that said the human stomach contains germs which survive on food and drink. But during the fasting month dangerous germs find it tough going and their existence is threatened. They're wiped out and our stomachs become healthier.
Furthermore, the fasting Moslem is discouraged from gossiping, backbiting, quarreling, brawling and etc., even in cases where he's deliberately provoked. This means peace for all thanks to Ramadhan, even though we all wish that ethically/morally our behavior would remain that way even before and after the fasting month.
Lastly, we, the Moslems of Africa, normally use this month to double our prayers against imperialism, the oppression of man by man, and the domination of the world by the few.
BUHARI ABDU
Jakarta