The blessed month of Ramadan is a time in which Allah’s largess is bestowed upon those who observe the fast and fulfil the obligations required of a Muslim.
It is a month that tests our self-discipline to restrain ourselves from the normal temptations of daily life and to re-energise our spiritual being, immersing ourselves more deeply in the tenets of Islamic teachings and covenants as enshrined in the Quran and Hadith. It is also a month of self-assessment and reflection, and of sharing, giving and empathising with the plight of the poor and destitute.
Hunger is only one aspect of observing Ramadan, alongside performing the daily fardu (obligatory) and sunnah (optional) prayers. Equally important is reorientating our daily routines to conform to the obligations of Ramadan.
Fasting cleanses the soul by encouraging only positive and good thoughts, freeing us from the shackles of desire and reconnecting us with our spiritual self. Ramadan is also a psychological test – to purify our thoughts, to practise patience and discipline, and to help those in need.
These declarations form the supreme divine philosophy of Ramadan. Adhering to these edicts requires spiritual strength and complete submission to the Will of Allah through the sublimation of one’s ego. However, man’s weakness in submitting to worldly desires can negatively affect the sanctity of the holy month.
There are Muslims who continue their usual behavioural patterns during Ramadan, warts and all, while fasting. For them, fasting is merely abstaining from food, with little regard for the mental and physical discipline required. Such attitudes nullify the benefits and merit that should be accrued during Ramadan.
One example is profiteering by some food vendors at Ramadan bazaars, disregarding the tenets of compassion and fair trading. Their main objective is profit maximisation, burdening hard-pressed consumers, especially those in the B40 group. They know they have a captive market and seek to make a killing during Ramadan, which comes only once a year.
It has been reported that B40 families, and even some in the M40 group, now cook their own meals for iftar and sahur to avoid buying food from Ramadan bazaars, where prices have reportedly increased by between 30 per cent and 100 per cent.
Man’s greed for material gain has tarnished the sanctity of fasting during Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be observed by all Muslims.
The authorities seem unable to curb this annual profiteering and exploitation. They issue statements about monitoring the situation, but the exercise often fizzles out.
Besides vendors seeking excessive profits, there are also Muslims who observe only the hunger aspect of fasting. They do not restrain the tenor or vitriol of their speech, which should not ridicule or belittle others.
Among them are some lawmakers who continue scheming against opponents or pursuing vendettas. They harbour negative thoughts towards their political rivals in their pursuit of power.
Fortunately, this segment of Muslim society is small and does not reflect the overall tenor of the ummah. Many faithfully observe the obligatory tenets of fasting, including tarawih prayers, giving alms, paying zakat and fitrah, and exhibiting behaviour consonant with the values of Ramadan.
This is evident in the provision of food and monetary assistance to the less fortunate, including the daily distribution of bubur lambuk to all and sundry.
During Ramadan, individuals of means seek out families in need, not only within their own neighbourhoods but also in rural areas, sometimes travelling hundreds of kilometres to offer zakat. It is often in these rural communities that Malay families living just above the poverty line require assistance.
Yet politicians, preoccupied with jostling for position and power, seem blind to the plight of the rural poor, despite their oft-repeated mantra of helping the Malays. In reality, many appear more concerned with helping themselves. They should use this holy month to fulfil the responsibilities for which they were elected.
The expression of piety, charity and sharing represents humanity at its best and, to some extent, offsets aberrations that are not consonant with the values and spirit of Ramadan – a month that celebrates liberation of the self and purification of the soul.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
