Ramadhan and Eid ul-Fitr

For over one billion Muslims throughout the world, Ramadhan is a special month of the year.  During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. Ramadhan was the month in which the first verses of the holy Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).  It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God and self-control. The sighting of the new moon at the end of Ramadhan heralds the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr.

Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or arramad intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramdaa, sunbaked sand, and the famous proverb: "Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar" - to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. And in a hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) said : "The prayer of repenters is due when the young camel can feel the sun's heat early in the morning."  (Muslim) 

Thus, the Ramadan is so called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst. Others said it is so called because Ramadan scorches out the sins burns the ground. Some said it is so called because the hearts and souls are more readily receptive to the admonition and remembrance of Allah during Ramadan, ad the sand and stones are receptive to the sun's heat. The framers of this beautiful language may have been inspired by Allah (SWT) in naming this month Ramadan. Otherwise, the relation between the heat and its properties is miraculously similar to that of Ramadan. While the heat represents the matter that helps shape, form, and mold virtually every matter, from metal and plastics, to plants and living cells-Ramadan undoubtedly helps a serious believe remold, reshape, reform, and renew his physical and spiritual disposition and behavior.

FASTING:

Fasting, siyamm, has two meanings. Generally, siyaam or sawm, is derived from the root sama, to retrain from normal things, such as eating, drinking, and talking. If an individual refrains from these things, he is considered saaim, the observer of fast. Al-Qur'an uses the word generally when it revealed the conversation between the angel and Mary, the of Jesus, as the angel instructed her "And if you do see any man say, "I have vowed to remain silent for Allah". (Al-Qur'an 19:26)

The phrase "to remain silent," is the interpretation of the Arabic word "sawm". The reason for this interpretation is that "sawm" cannot mean fast, i.e. restraint from food, because Mary had just been told to eat from
the palm tree. This general meaning is common in the Arabic language.

In the Shari'ah (Islamic law) the "sawm" means and implies a specific act , which is, "to worship Allah, abstaining, with intention to please Him from fast breakers, such as physical nourishment, food, drink, and sexual intercourse a lustful discharge of semen from the period between the break of dawn until sundown."

As this definition implies, the Islamic fasting is total abstinence from any food, particles passing through the mouth or nose, as well as drinks of any kind - water, milk, juice, etc. - along with abstinence from sexual association during the day that commences from the break of dawn till sunset.

Although the definition indicated restraining the stomach and private parts, the tongue, eyes ears and other limbs are equally obligated to be restrained if the faster want to gain the total rewards of fasting. This is why the Messenger of Allah (saas) has been reported as saying in hadith by Abu Hurairah: "He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn't eat or drink." (Bukhari, Muslim). In another hadith by abu Harairah (raa), the Prophet (saas) said: "Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say (to them) 'I am fasting; I am fasting.'"(Ibn Khuzaoinah)

Indeed, these two reports imply fasting will not be complete until one observes three elements:

1. Restraining the stomach and the private parts from the break of the fast food and drinks.
2. Restraining the jawarih, the other body parts, which may render the fast worthless despite the main factor of hunger and thirst; so the tongue, for instance, must avoid backbiting, slander, and lies; the eyes should avoid looking into things considered by the Lawgiver as unlawful; the ears must stop from listening to conversation, words, songs, and lyrics that spoil the spirit of fasting; and,
3. Restraining of the heart, and mind from indulging, themselves in other things besides dhikir Allah (remembrance of Allah).

Eid ul-Fitr occurs after the end of the month of Ramadhan. Eid is celebrated after the sighting of the new crescent on the previous evening.
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Reference:
As'Salaam News; December / January 97