BY Demola Adefajo
Ramadan is around the corner again. This is the month during which Muslims shun food from dawn to sunset in accordance with the dictate of Allah in the Quran Chapter 2 Verse 183: “Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may attain piety”. Apart from abstinence from food during the day, Muslims are expected to stay away from sexual intercourse, refrain from bad talk and act, as well as increase their good deeds. However, the month comes with its own challenges as it entails a lot of changes in the lifestyle of the faithful. Here are some tips to maximise the benefits of the month and minimise any stress.
The month of Ramadan is a time when Muslims are expected to undergo a lot of changes in their lifestyle – physical, financial and spiritual. Therefore there is need to prepare ahead. Although there is reduction in intake of food by the faithful, additional expenses are incurred by the change in the quality of food, fruits and other items the Muslim consumes. There is therefore the need to stock certain types of food ahead of the month of Ramadan. On the spiritual plane, the Muslim is expected to fortify himself in readiness for the rigour of the month. Some scholars believe it is not a coincidence the month is preceded by two other months – Rajab and Shaban – when Muslims are required to fast. The fasts of the two months are meant to condition the Muslim for the purification of the soul and preparation of the body for the task ahead in the month of Ramadan.
Although the body is shorn of nutrients during the day, it is expedient to take much needed fruits and water during the dawn meal (Sahur) and while breaking fast at dusk (Iftar). This will replace the much needed nutrients in the body. However, there is need for caution. One shouldn’t rush the water and fruit at a go, especially at the point of breaking of fast. It should be gradual in order not to harm the stomach.
The Ramadan month is one when one has to adopt different schedules – waking up early to take Sahur and getting home early to prepare and take meal for breaking the fast at dusk. This may present some challenges for the person whose work schedule entails getting home late or staying out late in the night. The fasting Muslims have to effect changes to enable them get home early and also sleep early so that they can wake up on time. It is not unusual to find some people planning their annual leave at work to coincide with this month so that they can be in more control of their time. The private business people can also ensure they close early from business during this month.
The month of Ramadan is one that is packed with lectures and other enlightening programmes on the religion organised by different Islamic groups, especially at weekends. Faithful should take advantage of these programmes to learn more about the religion and improve on their faith.
Both the Quran and the Hadith recommend increased observance of prayers during the month. While the five daily prayers are obligatory on the Muslim at every time it is even recommended that they should add the voluntary prayers (nawafils) during Ramadan. Performance of night prayers and optional Solats are recommended during the months as they are means of increasing the believers’ piety.
One of the best ways of enjoying the month of Ramadan is to set spiritual targets to be met during the month. It can be in form of memorisation of certain chapters and verses of the Quran, acquisition of knowledge of Hadith, or even observing certain number of voluntary prayers before the end of the 30- or 29-day month. Memory of what one achieved spiritually in previous Ramadan makes one to look forward to another Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is particularly tasking for women who have to prepare food at odd hours for Sahur and also meet the needs of Iftar. It can prove very strenuous for the working woman and the bachelor who does not have a helping hand. This is where the use of technology comes in. Food can be prepared ahead and placed in the fridge. The microwave also comes in handy in keeping food warm to save time and efforts expended on preparation of meals every time.
One of the lessons of the month is sharing and empathising with the less fortunate. The haves are made to experience the plight of the have-nots who have to go hungry for lack of means. It is a time to draw near to them and share our meals at break of fasts. It is also a time to reach out to our friends and relations whom we haven’t seen for some time. Although the pressure of work may not allow us go out as much as we would like, telephone calls and messages should be maximised to reach out.
The last ten days of Ramadan is the time for Itikaf, spiritual seclusion when Muslims who can afford it leave their homes to stay in the mosques where they engage in spiritual activities such as reading of the Quran, observance of optional prayers and meditation. The Night of Majesty (Lailatul Quadri) also falls within this period. It is one of the odd days of the last ten days when Muslims are expected to keep awake and observe prayers as night is more valuable than 1000 months. Staying in seclusion with other faithful during Itikaf gives the fasting Muslim the opportunity to keep vigil and observe the week. These ten days offer the fasting Muslim the opportunity to consolidate on the gains of the previous ten days. Many central mosques and Islamic organisation are now offering Itikaf services for a fee, providing accommodation and feeding.
The culmination of the Ramadan is the observance of the Id-Fitr, the festival at the end of Ramadan. This is preceded by the Zakat-ul-Fitr, the charity of Id-Fitr where fasting Muslims are to give alms to the needy in form of edibles, especially grains. The head of each family is expected to offer a certain measure of grains multiply by the number of the household, including infants. This charity is to be offered before the Id-Fitr prayer, preferably a day before Id-Fitr. Zakat-ul-Fitr is a continuation of the inclusive and levelling tradition of Ramadan. The needy are afforded opportunity of having some food to celebrate end of Ramadan alongside the rich.
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