Month of fasting, prayer

During the month of Ramadan, healthy Muslims who have reached puberty are required to fast during the daytime, according to the law of the faith. This year, with the holiday during the long days of summer, people must fast for 16 hours.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Public Opinion | Online
By Iris Hersh | August 18, 2011

People of the Islamic faith in Franklin County join those around the globe in observing the holiday of Ramadan, which this year takes place from Aug. 1 to 29.

Ramadan is an Arabic word meaning "being faithful to God," said Haris Ahmed, Chambersburg. During Ramadan, Ahmed said he prays more and reads the Holy Quran more often.

Those of the faith greet one another with the Arabic phrase, "Assalam O Alaikum," which means peace be upon you.

"Ramadan begins about 10 days earlier every year because it's based on the lunar calendar," said Nazia Hussain, Chambersburg, a practicing Muslim.


During the month of Ramadan, healthy Muslims who have reached puberty are required to fast during the daytime, according to the law of the faith. This year, with the holiday during the long days of summer, people must fast for 16 hours, Hussain said.

According to the Quran, the ninth month of the year, Ramadan, was the month when the Holy Quran was revealed by God to Mohammed through the angel Gabriel, said Tahira Khalid, St. Thomas, a doctor of internal medicine. The word "Ramadan" means to burn or sacrifice.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. It teaches self-restraint and abstinence of things normal to body, mind and spirit. From dawn to dusk, Hussain said, there is to be no eating or drinking, no sex, no fighting, no gossip or lying, no anger, no arrogance and no pride. It's a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God and practice self sacrifice.

"I've always found that being open and talking about Muslim practices and their significance helps me fast," Hussain said. "I always tell my children that a few may not understand but there will be plenty who will respect the idea of putting such restraints on oneself for moral or religious reasons."

"When I'm fasting for the sake of God I don't feel hungry," said Khalid, who gets up at 4 a.m. during Ramadan to offer prayers and finish breakfast before sunrise.

"Kids are home these days so I think its easier than last year when they had to go through an entire day of not eating," Hussain continued. "Drinking while playing sports and being around peers who don't have any restrictions is more difficult.

"It's challenging for my husband who has to sometimes stand on his feet up to eight hours while operating, but fasting gives us an understanding of the poverty and starvation endured by those less fortunate. Part of the self discipline is to continue performing normal routines and be thankful of the blessings of this blessed month."

At sunset each evening, families break their fast. This is known as Iftar.

On Aug. 10, Samina Farhad, Chambersburg, and his family invited Muslim friends to their home to celebrate Iftar together after sundown, which was about 8 p.m.

The men and boys prayed, socialized and ate a meal in the living room while the women and girls, dressed in traditional clothing, gathered in another room to pray together, socialize and share a meal consisting of several traditional dishes.

It's tradition for a date to be the first thing Muslims put in their mouths after a day of fasting because the prophet Mohammed is said to have broken his fast with a date.

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Iris Hersh may be reached at 262-4757 or ihersh@publicopinionnews.com.

Pillars of Islam

In addition to the tradition of fasting, the four other pillars of Islam are:

Declare faith: "I bear witness that there is no god, but God; I bear witness that Mohammed is the prophet of God." By reciting this, one enters Islamic faith.

Prayer: Required five times a day, with believers washing themselves before prayer and facing in the direction of Mecca while praying.

Charity: Believers are required to give away a percentage of their earnings to those less fortunate, regardless of their religion.

Hajj: If it is financially possible, Muslims are required to travel to Mecca once in their lifetime.


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