Ramadan

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Ramadan has started for my Muslim colleagues in Syria. They fast from food and drink during the day, and eat in the evening and then again early in the morning (if they want to). It falls at a good time of year this time – the days are not too long or hot, but it is still challenging.

The reasons for the fast are all good. Praying more and drawing closer to God, spending more time at the Mosque, practicing generosity and hospitality, and working towards being the best version of themselves. It is also the time where they remember the Qur’an being given to Muhammad.

What is good about Ramadan is the additional attention given by believers to their faith in God. I can see people breaking at prayer times to stop and pray. And each morning I am regaled with what was eaten the previous night, with great enthusiasm! Many people invite family and friends over for the evening meal, breaking the fast together.

As a Christian, fasting is part of the traditions of my faith, but it is not a common practice for me. I have taken part in longer fasts before – 1 week without any food, just drinks – and this seems so daunting! But experiencing Ramadan here is reminding me that there are so many variations to fasting, and every effort to deny your body and lift up your soul to God is beneficial. Skipping some types of food, or fasting just for a short time has a big effect, and it is foolish to miss the invitation of God into this practice just because I am scared of the long fasts!

So maybe it is something to revisit.

In many religions, fasting is a tradition and practice. There is something about feeling physically hungry that changes your whole soul's experience of life. Physical denial fundamentally opposes how we like to feel happy and fulfilled. It makes us scared, angry and weak. It lessens our ability to cope. 

As a spiritual practice, it is intentional for it reminds us how we are without the nourishment of food. Less able, less strong, less rational etc. This lack and loss reminds us of how dependent we are upon God who not only feeds the body to build us up and strengthen us, but feeds our spirits. By suffering physically during a fast, we can turn this loss and lack into a prayer for God to give us more of Himself in Spirit. 

(Side note: I introduced a colleague to the concept of feeling hangry - hungry and angry - and he whooped with laughter.) 



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