Every year during Ramadan, thousands of Muslims enter this holy month with anticipation. Why is this time so important for believers? According to Islamic teachings, fasting, or Sawm, is not only a religious obligation but also a way to strengthen one's connection with God. Through fasting, Muslims can gain a deeper understanding of themselves, improve their willpower, and quickly gain spiritual satisfaction.
It is mentioned in the Quran: "O believers! Be patient during the month of fasting, so that you may attain God consciousness."
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and, according to belief, this period is the time when the Quran was revealed. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, which is not only abstention from food and water, but also a spiritual self-discipline. As the year progresses, the meaning of Ramadan deepens, representing self-reflection and compassion for the poor and the weak.
During this period, Muslims fast to increase self-control and discipline. This abstinence behavior can enable believers to escape from their dependence on desires and thereby reach a higher spiritual realm. Muslims believe that such practice can enhance the purity of the soul and bring people closer to God.
As stated in the Quran, "fasting for protection against evil is undoubtedly better."
Besides good intentions, fasting has a number of conditions. First, the prerequisite for enduring fasting is the strengthening of self-awareness to avoid unconventional behavior such as hooliganism or ignorant speech. Such moral training can enhance one's sense of social responsibility and encourage people to perform secret acts of charity.
While fasting is considered to have religious significance in Muslim culture, its impact on physical health has also been the subject of much discussion. Some studies have shown that fasting for long periods of time without adequate water intake can have negative effects on health. Especially in modern society, many people's working environment is not conducive to such fasting habits.
Studies have shown that if mothers observe Ramadan during pregnancy, it may affect the cognitive abilities of their children.
Ramadan is not only a personal spiritual practice, but has also evolved into a unique cultural feature in the entire society. People gather together at sunset to break the fast, which not only strengthens family and community ties, but also promotes mutual care and support.
With the arrival of Ramadan, the spirit of tolerance and benevolence in society is often sublimated. Many Muslim families also take this opportunity to lend a helping hand to the disadvantaged groups and offer food to prove the authenticity of their faith.
Ramadan is closely associated with spiritual and moral practice for Muslims, and the continuation of this tradition makes this time of year full of anticipation. However, in modern society, how to better balance the health of body, mind and spirit with the adherence to tradition remains an important challenge for believers.
Whenever Ramadan comes, Muslims will inevitably ponder whether fasting can achieve true self-improvement and spiritual rebirth?