Ramadan The Month of Purity, Eid al-Fitr a Festival of Peace
“Ramadan” the ninth month of Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims all over the world observe this month as a month of fasting. It is prescribed for every matured Muslim to fast during the day light time of this holy month.
Why do we fast:
Through fasting, one shows his utmost obedience towards The Almighty by willingly submitting to abstaining from lawful abstaining from lawful food, drink, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset one month every year. Through fasting, a Muslim can control his carnal self. Controlling physical appetites, subduing lust and greed and thus travelling across the path that leads to the moral and spiritual dimension. This moral consciousness helps to cultivate self-discipline which encourages to improve society by developing individual self.
Spiritual befits of fasting:
Fasting during Ramadan is the way to get closer to Allah. It cleans the soul from sins and increases love and warmth for the Almighty. Fasting keeps abstain a person from all sort of evil desire and sins, it controls emotion and purifies the heart and nothing is more dearest to Allah than a pure heart. The pure the heart is the more it is closer to Allah. It is stated that, during the month of Ramadan Allah (swt) opens the door of mercy. It is also stated that every good deeds of believers will get seventy times more reward. The Holy Prophet (Sm) of Islam said, “When the month of Ramadan arrives, the gates to Heaven are opened and the doors to Hell are closed, and the satanic forces are bound in shackles.”
Scientific befits of fasting:
Fasting in Ramadan not only a way of getting spiritual salvation, it is also a scientific way to keep the body healthy. Fasting stabilizes insulin level that may prevent diabetes, it lowers triglycerides and prevents Alzheimer’s. It stops sugar cravings and hunger prangs that helps to lose weight safely. Fasting boosts growth hormone that leads to health fitness, helps to reduce radical cell damage and ensures better brain health. “Autophagy” is one of the most important and revolutionary benefits of fasting. Autophagy means self-eating. It is the body’s mechanism of getting rid of all broken down and old cells. During the time of fasting the healthy cells start eating the broken down and old cells to meet the needs of nutrition. So fasting may in some ways reverse the aging process, by getting rid of old cellular junk and replacing it with new parts.
Colorful celebration of Eid al-Fitr :
After one month of fasting in Ramadan Muslims all over the world observes the greatest religious festival “Eid al-Fitr”. The literal translation of Eid al-Fitr is festival of the breaking of the fast. After a month of sacrifice, Eid al-Fitr is a time of celebration. Gifts are often given, especially to children. These gifts can be money, accessories, home goods, or flower etc. The celebration of Eid differs from country to country. In this day Muslims wear new or at least their finest clothes, wear perfume. Before going to the mosque or outdoor locations for Eid prayer they they give Fitra to the poors. After the Eid prayers they wish Eid greetings to their near and dear ones. The rest of the day is about spending time with friends and family, exchanging gifts and feasting. This festival is colored by a sense of gratitude and generosity.
The month of Ramadan and the festival of Eid both are very significant in Muslim’s history. Through sacrifices of Ramadan and festivity of Eid the world gets a great message about the importance of sacrificing to attain peace and prosperity.
