As mentioned before, fasting can help to overcome laziness and greed. Apart from self-restraint, one factor in this is that Muslims are required to refrain from things such as lying. “During Ramadan we have to abstain from hostility.”6 This can make people ‘cleaner’ and less likely to carry on being selfish and greedy after the fast is over. As the fast progresses, it gradually becomes easier to resist temptation. Spiritual strength is another gain from practicing saum, since more time is spent praying to Allah, and the fasting itself is an act or worship to Allah. It is not surprising then, that many people feel a lot closer to God after Ramadan. “Throughout Ramadan I get some very strong spiritual feelings, and I generally feel closer to God.”7
A final advantage is more spare time. Although it is not the intention of fasting, missing mealtimes gives Muslims more time to spend with their families and friends. This time could also be spent in prayer or in reading the Qur’an.
Of course, fasting does not only have its advantages. There are also a few negative aspects to Ramadan, such as bullying. Non-Muslims might tempt Muslims, either intentionally or accidentally. Bullying can occur too, particularly where Muslims are in the minority. Discrimination and prejudice usually happens when non-Muslims are ignorant and do not understand the concept of Ramadan.
Another disadvantage is the feeling of being different and unable to join in with non-Muslim friends. It can be difficult if a Muslim’s peers are all doing one thing, such as drinking, and Ramadan does not allow the Muslim to participate. “I have been prejudiced against, and sometimes I feel excluded from my friends because I can’t drink or smoke with them as usual. I also feel very self-conscious when I break fast in front of everyone.”8
There are also the physical disadvantages. Fasting makes Muslims weak and unable to concentrate. This lack of energy comes from not eating or drinking, and while this helps to develop sympathy for the underprivileged, it also means that simple everyday activities become difficult. “We are kept very busy during Ramadan because a lot of people come in here to overload the table for their evening feast. It can be difficult to keep going, and we are pushed to the limit.”9 Since Muslims must not eat between the hours of sunrise and sunset, it is necessary to get up early so that the first meal of the day can be eaten before sunrise. This also contributes to the tiredness and lack of concentration during the day.
Overall I would say that for Muslims, fasting has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages are becoming closer to Allah, obeying his word and developing self-discipline, but these are just a few of the many benefits of fasting. There seems to be fewer disadvantages. Some of the negative aspects would not be present in countries where the main religion is Islam, because Muslims would not feel any different to their peers and the majority of people would understand about Ramadan. The main detriment is the feeling of weakness that goes with fasting. However, this can add to the sense of achievement when saum is over. In general, I think that the advantages of fasting outweigh the disadvantages, and most of the disadvantages could be overcome with a greater understanding of Ramadan amongst non-Muslims.
Bibliography
Websites
www.google.com
www.megastories.com/islam/glossary/5pillars.htm
www.ask.co.uk
www.learningalive.co.uk
www.factmonster.com/spot/ramadan1.html
www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/pillars/fasting/tajuddin/fast_1.html
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_religions/islam.shtml
www.islamatschool.org.uk/
website.lineone.net/%7Ejlancs/festival.htm
www.holidays.net/ramadan/
www.al-islam.org/quran/
www.ramadan.co.uk/index.php
Books
Chambers 20th century dictionary
Islam by Rosalyn Kendrick
The Muslim World by Richard Tames
Symbols of Islam by Malek Chebel
Islam by Sue Penney
Islam by Anne Geldart
Videos
Ramadan in the UK
Ramadan and Work in the UK
Business People in the UK and Ramadan
Fasting as a Child in the UK
- Hadith
- Shakir 18:107
- The Cow, II, 183
- A Muslim headteacher
- A British Muslim
- An English girl who has recently converted to Islam
- A Muslim boxer
- A British Muslim
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