Ramadan 1444 or 2023 is a week away. We just finished the months of Rajab and Shaaban which are months of repentance with extra-long prayers and a few fasts as well. There is preparation at all levels: physical and logistical, emotional, spiritual. Today’s blog is the first in a weekly series of Ramadan blogs – a chance to set intention before Ramadan. Next week’s blog will be light and fun about the logistics and challenges of Iftar (fast-breaking) parties, past and present!
Fasting from dawn to dusk for 30 days consecutively is an act of strong commitment and faith, and certainly not obligatory on those who have health challenges. The act of restraint and patience develops us spiritually as our ego is weakened and we forgo and are able to rise above its obsessions. Many other faith traditions include some form of fasting as well, and of course now modern medicine tells us to fast for just the physical benefits knowing that it has a holistic effect on us as whole beings.
As adults, Ramadan is an opportunity to better ourselves and to make intentions to focus on specific areas in our spiritual development, which involves our Creator, relationship to all creation, and finally our own self.
First, last and forever, we focus on the Creator, whom we choose to call Allah, God or many other names. Our Creator gives us everything from the womb to the tomb, and beyond. We are in deep gratitude for all the bounties and blessings and when we are tested, we accept with patience. When we are faced with big traumas and losses, we weep silently on our prayer mats in submission knowing that life is transient and all things must perish and end.
Second is our relationships to others. Faith instructs us to be kind and generous to all- not just other people but all inhabitants of the Planet; our behavior is also a form of ibadat (worship). This is all that we leave behind as our legacy and memory, not our possessions. As a seeker we are asked to practice kindness, love, equal respect, compassion, sensitivity and care towards others. When we hit bumps in the road, such a conflict or tension, we must learn from it and use it as an opportunity for self-improvement and raising the relationship to a higher more beautiful level.
Third is the final and most difficult part of self-improvement and the inner jihad- detachment from our egos and its complaints, attachments and arrogance and we realize our own insignificance. As the ego is contained within our soul, this type of detachment helps us transcend trivial matters and focus on the potential of being a nobler human.
It is a very private journey and this is where Ramadan intentions help us accelerate our journey. As I set my intentions this year, I pray for God’s help to become a better human. So I wish my Muslim friends Happy Ramadan Preparations, and may our fasting, extra prayers and rituals elevate us and lift us up to achieve our duas and nobler intentions Inshallah.
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