August 29, 2009
By Syed Akbar
Come Ramzan and Muslims gear up for fasting, prayers and charity, shunning all things evil and doing works that are pious. The mosques turn full with the start of the holy Islamic month. Many Muslims lead a disciplined life during the month.
But once the crescent of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic Higera calendar is sighted, they return to their old ways, old habits and mosques wear a deserted look. The fasting stops, so also the prayers and charity. Many return to anti-social activities.
Ramzan is a holy month and fasting during this period is obligatory (farz). But there's no bar on voluntary fasting during other months. There are several instances of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) taking up fast at frequent intervals.
Even now there's a tradition in the Arab world to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Regular fasting keeps us not only hale and healthy but also makes us understand the pangs of hunger and thirst.
Unfortunately many Muslims think that Ramzan is the only period wherein they should show their devotion to God and love to fellow creatures - human beings, animals and plants. There's devotion beyond Ramzan and only when we realise this, we will tend to become better Muslims, better believers and better human beings. The spirit of devotion should not end with Ramzan. It should continue throughout the year. Only then our fasting, charity and prayers offered during Ramzan carry some weight with the Creator.
