EACH time of the year and each season have its own flavours, some special sights and sounds that we associate only with that particular occasion. And there are plenty of things that are so very typical of Ramazan that they can never be fully experienced at any other time of the year.

Food is the focal point of everyone’s thoughts this month, though that’s rather ironic because fasting means to keep away from food and drink! But, let’s be honest, doesn’t everyone who is fasting spends all day dreaming of what feast awaits at Iftar time? And mummy dearest, though fasting herself, is told everyone’s wish list for Iftar and she gets busy getting the order ready for the evening. And what is so very dear about this lady is that she does it all very willingly and happily, especially if her little one is fasting.

One of the most wonderful things about Ramazan is the bonding we experience with our family, neighbourhood and community as a whole. For one whole month, everyone in the family eats together and prays together, then there are Iftar parties to celebrate with friends and family, sending Iftar to neighbours and providing food for the needy. People become more concerned for those less fortunate and their sense of charity makes them more generous than at any other time of the year.

What is more wonderful about Ramazan this year is that it has arrived when the schools are closed so children and parents too can enjoy it more, and many young ones will get into a competition mode to see who fasts the most.

You know, through fasting we are doing maintenance and servicing of the body and soul — our digestive system gets a chance to rest, and our personality improves as we keep away from speaking and behaving badly towards others.

Thus it is not surprising that fasting leads to better self-control, more patience and tolerance in us, increases our power of determination, and makes us humble and thankful for all the Blessing of Almighty Allah.

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VARIOUS studies have established beyond doubt that fasting is beneficial for our body and doctors often prescribe fasting for a number of conditions such as weight reduction, to lower blood sugar and cholesterol, besides other things.

Our digestive system is loaded up the whole year round with all kinds of food stuffs that we eat, many of which our poor digestive system might not be liking at all! And you know, digesting, assimilating and metabolising activities that take place once food enters our month, require a great deal of energy.

In fact and estimated 65 per cent of the body’s energy is directed to the digestive organs after a heavy meal!

So with this energy that we save, our body does some housecleaning, especially healing and recuperation to detox and repair cells, tissues and organs.

Scientific research shows that fasting rests the digestive system, allows for cleansing and detox-ification of the body, creates a break in eating patterns, promotes greater mental clarity cleanses and heals ‘stuck’ emotional patterns, leads to a feeling of physical lightness, increases energy level and enhances our spiritual connection.

Fasting in other religions

THE ritual of fasting has been around for thousands of years, as a healing, religious or spiritual process.

Fasting, which is basically voluntary abstinence from food, has been present in all world religions in some form and for various reasons such as devotion, penance, obedience, obligations and as an act for the fulfilment of a wish.

The duration of the fast, the number of days, the food and drink not allowed and the acts forbidden during the fast varies for all religions.

While in some religions the rules regarding fasting are very strict, in some they allow for some variation and flexibility.

The change within

THE essence of fasting is to improve our self-control and become a better person.

However, often we see that when fasting, people tend to be more short-tempered (understandable when a person is feeling hungry or thirsty) and really rude.

We see people fighting on the roads while trying to get ahead of others’ cars, siblings snapping at each other and people generally doing less than their own share of work.

Now these things negate the whole spirit of this act.

Being short-tempered is not going to end the fast earlier and by not tidying up your room you are leaving more for your mother or maid to do and they would be fasting too.

So if things are going tough for you and time isn’t passing, it’s the same for everyone to be considerate towards others, particularly your mother who has to cater to everyone’s needs and over-active taste buds.

Ramazan is a time for reflection, self-improvement, sharing and caring.

And these things should not just make one a good and noble person during Ramazan, but a better human being and Muslim the whole year through!