Rediscovering the Original Spirit of Ramadan
Personal opinion essay
Ramadan is nothing like it used to be. The most spiritual time of year for Muslims has changed from a holy month to a thirty-day Superbowl. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, sexual relations, and impure speech and behavior between dawn and sunset. This Ramadan will be a humble one for many observers who are social distancing. There won’t be any extravagant dinner parties to distract them from the primary goal of Ramadan: to attain Taqwa (God-consciousness) and get closer to our natural state (Fitrah) through the instrument of fasting and worshiping Allah (God). This year, Ramadan comes amid exceptional circumstances, which will force Muslims to give up their most valued traditions. The coronavirus pandemic has infected millions of people and has caused more than a hundred thousand deaths around the world. Muslims at home will feel what Ramadan used to be like: a sacred month of personal contemplation and unworldly distractions.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is the holy month of fasting, prayer, and divine reflection for able-bodied Muslims. In the days of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Ramadan was a spiritual time where the community got together and told stories, shared basic meals, and recited the Quran (the holy book of Islam). Teaching his companions and followers, the core values of Ramadan, was one of the Prophet’s tasks from God. One of those values is that fasting must be intentional. Following the concept of niyyah — which means “intention” — guides Muslims’ fast during Ramadan. To achieve niyyah, believers must dedicate their fast for the sake of Allah (SWT). Muslims believe that ethical behavior is key to increasing their spiritual rewards during Ramadan. Family and friends break their daily fast with a meal known as ‘Iftar’ and give Zakat (alms) to those in need. Although quality time with friends and family is an essential value of Ramadan, spiritual reflection is its primary purpose.
Instead of gaining spiritual rewards, some Muslims these days are gaining weight and wasting food during Ramadan. That goes against the purpose of sawm (fasting): to strengthen our self-control and empathize with others’ suffering. More giving and less taking. In this modern era, some people are over-indulging and throwing extravagant Iftar parties that take days to prepare. Now that the holiday has become commercialized, the festivities have led to undesirable effects. In several countries, there are buffet tents and five-star venues that serve multi-course lavish dinners to people who can afford them. Advertising companies spend half their yearly budget during Ramadan¹, and some Muslims spend more money during this month than at any other time of the year. Fasting teaches us to push away our desires and to gain more self-control. Too much of anything leaves humans feeling empty. The Holy Quran speaks of this in 33:73 in which God states, “Verily, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it. He is capable of being unjust to and neglectful of himself.” Handling the “Trust” that Allah (SWT) gave us is possible, but if we do not nurture our spirit, we diminish our self-worth.
Some observers of Islam occupy much of their time during Ramadan by using social media and watching shows and films. Some Muslim-majority countries release many entertaining and unspiritual TV series during Ramadan. Social media users focus on posting their best Iftar selfies and uploading pictures for their food blogs. We live in a new world where we persistently feel the need for validation — to have the latest bells and whistles, to have the highest number of likes and followers, and to create a picture-perfect and deceiving online persona to appear a specific way to others. That superficial desire diverts our focus from Taqwa. Socialites are usually not inclusive of their community members and are selective with their Iftar dinner guest lists. Hosts serve hookah to their guests at these house parties, and chit-chat usually follows throughout the night. There is a hadith (words and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) that condemns those who do not behave spiritually and respectfully during Ramadan: “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e., Allah will not accept his fasting)” (Al-Bukhari 1903, 30:13). Allah (SWT) prohibits indulgence and extravagance in the Quran (Surah al-Ar’āf 7:31). Ramadan has warped into a month that focuses on luxury, hookah, social media, and unfocused conversations. It has turned into a month where some Muslims try to out-Muslim and out-Arab each other.
This Ramadan, Muslims around the world will be on lockdown because of the disastrous COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down virtually all aspects of society. The mosques cannot hold the nightly prayers (Taraweeh) that attract hundreds of worshipers every night during Ramadan. Extended families and friends will not be sharing Iftar in-person this year. Worshipers could use this extra time as an opportunity for personal contemplation and to strengthen their relationship with Allah (SWT) by establishing a connection with the Quran and reciting it. Some standard practices include performing extra nightly prayers, reading the Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and giving to good causes. Arranging acts of charity to distribute food to the poor during the lockdown is still possible. Since some spirits might be low during these uncertain times, reading inspirational self-help books such as Reclaim your Heart by Yasmin Mogahed could be beneficial too.
As we embark on a new decade, cultural change will inevitably occur within some Muslim communities. This Ramadan 2020 should remind Muslims of the essence of the Ramadan that our ancestors used to celebrate: one of simplicity. Many Muslims have never experienced Ramadan or the culminating Eid festival without the ability to gather in person. I will spend the time enriching my soul in different ways, such as by reading Riyad-us-Saliheen (authentic hadiths of Prophet Muhammad), learning new Duas (supplications), and listening to various Imams (Muslim leaders) such as Omar Suleiman and Yasir Qadhi. While Ramadan might be lonesome and alien to the cultural upbringing of some Muslims, let’s remember that there are people who have never celebrated Ramadan or Eid with anyone. Some Muslims throughout the world cannot even find food to break their fast. Let’s not forget that the Sahaba (companions) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in those times did not celebrate Ramadan the way we celebrate it today. So perhaps, this year, we will have to rediscover the spirit of Ramadan as it used to be.
Ramadan Kareem!
¹Blackwell, A. H. (2009). Ramadan. New York, NY: Chelsea House.
