Fourth Estate/Lamia Gamil

Here is Ramadan beyond fasting

BY LAMIA GAMIL, STAFF WRITER

The holy month of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a 30-day meditation that transcends one’s soul, discharges one’s mind and flushes accumulated body toxins. Here are why Muslims fast, and its true meaning. 

During Ramadan, why do Muslims stop eating and drinking from dusk to dawn? 

During the month of Ramadan, excessive food intake is discouraged from dusk to dawn. After sunset, Muslims drink and eat with moderation to garner the health benefits mindful fasting brings about. Muslims who fast are encouraged to stay active and perform their daily work, tasks and chores. 

What is the true meaning of Muslims fasting?

When most people hear the word “fasting”, they think of refraining from eating and drinking. However, Muslims have a different understanding of the word. Fasting is not deprivation, it is abstaining from everything that prevents oneself from experiencing transcendence. Eating and drinking are the last on a list that takes a person through a journey where the mind and soul are able to rewire and reconnect to discover new domains and potentials.

Fasting is an enlightening journey. Fasting dives into a realm of self-realisation. It takes 30 days to know that the individual self is the source of happiness, peacefulness and energy. Fasting puts the fundamentals to which humans can build upon their true self meaning and worth. It is in self control that Muslims find self healing and discover their unmatched potential.

Ramadan Kareem, meaning “Ramadan is generous”, is a journey that allows Muslims to experience self love, the love of others and to the love of their creator.