INTRODUCTION
It is that time of the year again, when Muslims the world
over, observe a critical aspect of their religious obligations; a process
hinged on abstinence and cultivating the love of and courting the trust of
Allah [their Lord and Creator].
Of the many rallying points that Islam exudes in line with
its brotherhood mantra, the RAMADAN season is
a time when adherents of the faith the world over act in unison and within
stipulated boundaries as ordained by Allah.
And indeed, beyond just the Muslims, non Muslims alike are
not left out of the ‘buzz’ which grips the entire
communities where a number of Muslims are situated.
The overriding influence that Ramadan as a period unleashes is so panoramic
that several social dynamics are positively affected in the general scheme of
events.
SOCIAL IMPACT
Ramadan is a time when Muslims more than anything are supposed to withhold
themselves [abstain] from all things that invalidate a person's fast and
impugns the sanctity of Ramadan; the abstention timeframe being between dawn
and dusk.
In so doing, the Muslim is tasked to train his person
against disobedience of his Creator.
Fasting persons are supposed to be tolerable of others in
every sense: never to insult or abuse and to respond to whoever blights them;
‘I'm fasting, I'm fasting.’
Whiles it does not add anything to the fasting persons’
endeavor as ingrained in the concept of Ramadan;
political parties (who are social organizations) and their leaders are quick to
issue statements wishing Muslims well during the period.
This brings two core issues to the fore; that Muslims are
duly recognized as key players within the political structure of the country.
Beyond that it engenders the much talked about interfaith harmony, the bedrock
on which Ghana has had a strong inter religious coexistence over the years.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
In all parts of the world, economics of any situation and
season is seen as the heartbeat of survival and the Ramadan economy comes alive long before the period comes,
businesses make more sales and the local and international economies feel the
economic buzz.
Indeed, market watchers have said when daily fast closes;
there is a marked upward adjustment in sales especially of consumables.
Ostensibly because it is a time that Muslims love more than ever to share.
MEDICAL IMPACT
The medical good that Ramadan comes
with, Muslims believe rests within the infinite knowledge of Allah, for which
reason he ordained us to fast.
Having said that, medical research into the benefits of Ramadan is very well documented. During Ramadan, a person basically misses lunch and takes an early
breakfast and does not eat again until dusk.
According to medics, abstinence from water for 8 to 10
hours is not necessarily bad for health and in fact, it causes concentration of
all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration.
Dr. Shahir Athad of Echo of Islam blogspot stated amongst
others that: “the body has its own water conservation mechanism; in fact, it
has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in
plant life, improve their longevity.
The physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of
blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood
pressure.
In fact, Ramadan fasting
would be an ideal recommendation for the treatment of mild to moderate, stable,
non-insulin diabetes, obesity, and essential hypertension.
In 1994 the first International Congress on "Health
and Ramadan",
held in Casablanca, entered 50 extensive studies on the medical ethics of
fasting. While improvement in many medical conditions was noted; however, in no
way did fasting worsen any patients' health or their baseline medical
condition.
On the other hand, patients who are suffering from severe
diseases, whether type 1 diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones,
etc. are exempt from fasting and should not be allowed to fast,” he concluded.
WHAT IS RAMADAN?
Ramadan is a period during which Muslims are supposed to abstain
from food, drink, sex and other acts, between dawn (after taking a pre-dawn
meal/Sahuur) till sunset, when they break their fasts, (with the Iftaar meal).
The Ramadan enthusiasm
and fervour is that single act that galvanizes the global Muslims audience,
within a particular period of time as above stated to seek the face of their
Master, Lord and Creator.
The true essence being that practitioners of that act of
worship can gain piety from their Lord and more importantly use that period and
opportunity as a spring board to garner a quantum leap of good, blessing, mercy
and grace from the Almighty.
The buzz of the
period is almost palpable, with Muslims and non Muslims alike sharing in the
joy that comes with the period.
There is always too much on the banquet table during the
fast breaking feast as the young and old sit around mats in mosques to partake
in the Iftaar, fruits as the Islamically prudish dates fruit – known in local
parlance as "dabino" – are present as are fruits as banana,
sliced water melons, pawpaw, mangoes etc. apples make a rare entry sometimes.
Local delicacies particularly kooko (millet porridge) and
koose (accompanying grounded beans ‘pizza’-like food) are gratuitously sent to
mosques, at some mosques foods as rice are prepared and served to the famished
fasting person.
As for quenching the trademark thirst that dries the
throat and leaves Muslims longing to break their fasts, aside water, locally
brewed drinks; "sooboloobo, laamujee" and mashed kenkey
(referred to as ice kenkey) are among the thirst quenching squad.
Then does the city burst out with life, the ambience is
hale and hearty, excitement in the air grips Muslims and non-Muslims alike who
partake in food available for the fast breaking feast.
The reason for which Ramadan stands
tall above all other months stems from a divine admonition by the Sovereign
Lord _Allah Almighty, who in HIS infinite knowledge stated without equivocation
in Quran Chapter 2 verse 183 (verse whose meaning could be as follows.)
“O you believers! We (Allah) have made fasting compulsory
upon you, as it was made compulsory on your forebears, that ye may attain
piety.”
May the Almighty accept, reward and bless our efforts at
pleasing HIM, may He grant us the Jannah (Paradise) for which we strive to earn
his pleasure and to grant us good in this world and in the hereafter. Allah
Guide us All.
Shaban Abdur Rahman Alfa
1st Ramadan 1436 = 18th June, 2015
newcguide@gmail.com
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