Holy festival of Ramadan - 2

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Continued from the previous

view.<br><br>Importance of a spiritually evolved person’s resolve

(sankalpa):<br><br>There is the resolve of some evolved person or some

spiritual tenet behind every vowed religious observance and

accordingly benefits are obtained from them. Due to the

resolve of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and the

recommendation of the Holy Kuran behind Ramadan fasting, one

gains maximum benefit from this fasting. As compared to

this, modern vowed observances like building of a

school, nursing of the sick, etc. that lack in such a

resolve do not yield any benefit. <br><br>Method of

fasting<br><br>For those unable to fast, due to age, travel, or

other hardships, other means have been given to satisfy

the requirement. If one is temporarily unable to

fast, one should make up the fast when the condition is

relieved. If the condition is permanent, one should feed a

needy individual for the entire month, every year. This

is not considered charity, but is a requirement to

make up for the inability to fast.<br><br>Fasting is

determined by sighting the new crescent. Fasting involves a

total abstention from eating, drinking, smoking and the

administration of any nutrients from dawn until sunset. One is

also required to abstain from marital relations during

these hours. Dawn (Fajr) for Muslims is considered to

be nearly two hours before sunrise and is reckoned

as the time when the sun’s first light is seen on

the horizon. Sunrise marks the end of the first

period of prayer (salat).<br><br>Traditionally, the fast

is broken by eating a date with some milk, juice or

water, followed by a bowl of soup and a special salad

(fattoush). Following this, one prays the prescribed sunset

(Maghrib) prayer and then partakes a meal. During the night

and until dawn, one is allowed to eat and enjoy

marital relations; however, one should fully cleanse

oneself prior to dawn before the dawn prayer, so as to

remove any tamasik influence and gain maximum benefit

from the prayer. One is encouraged to break the fast

in satsang with others, by spending time

contemplating upon The Lord (Allah) and the true purpose of

one’s life. <br><br>Source :

<a href=http://www.sanatan.org/weekly

target=new>http://www.sanatan.org/weekly</a> (# 96)