Ramadan, the monthlong devotion that includes fasting and acts of good will, began last week for Muslims throughout the world.
Muslim men gather for prayer in South River last week, the first week of the holy month Ramadan. Holmdel resident Mohammad Mosaad is a founding member and vice president of the Monmouth County Islamic Society, Middletown. Mosaad explained that for Muslims, Ramadan is not just about fasting. It’s about becoming a better person.
In addition to not eating or drinking from dawn to dusk, Muslims are asked to refrain from gossip, lying and leering at individuals who are immodestly dressed.
“It’s a month of using a little better manners,” he said. “Controlling ourselves and being very, very generous, giving, charitable.”
The name Ramadan comes from the name of the month under an older lunar calendar used in Islam. It was during the month of Ramadan that the Koran, the holy book of Islam, was originally revealed to Mohammad, founder of the Islamic faith. The old lunar calendar is 11 days shorter than today’s standardized calendar, so each year Ramadan comes 11 days earlier, Mosaad explained.
By refraining from eating, Muslims are called upon to remember those who are less fortunate.
“We sustain from eating by choice,” Mosaad. “Others refrain from food by no choice because they have no food to eat. So we have to be charitable to those people.”
Basem Hassan, executive secretary of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, a South Brunswick-based organization, noted there are several other benefits to fasting, including the disciplinary components, patience and digestive cleansing.
“It’s a resetting of the digestive system,” Hassan explained. “It gives the stomach the ability to break for a month and allows it to clean itself out. People who are into holistic medicine sing the praises of fasting.”
To get through the day, Muslims usually will rise about a half-hour before dawn to eat “suhoor,” a big breakfast heavy on carbohydrates such as beans and pasta, as well as yogurt, to aid in hydration, Hassam explained.
Hassan noted fasting has a place in many of the world’s major religions.
“One of the commonalities between Abrahamic religions, even some of the Eastern religions, is restraining yourself from food and drink for a higher state of consciousness,” he said. Muslims call this higher level of consciousness “taqwa,” which is literally translated as “God awareness.”
“You’re aware that God is perpetually watching you,” Hassan explained, adding that fasting is a kind of sacred pact between God and an individual. “It’s literally just between you and God. It forces you to remember that you’re always being watched. God is always watching.”
But when the sun goes down and it’s time to break fast, “everything is fair game,” Hassan said jokingly.
Hassan said that Mohammad recommended breaking the fast with a cup or water or milk and one or three dates. After that, a full meal is allowed.
“You try not to overeat because your stomach has shrunk throughout the day,” Hassam said. “If you just woof all this food down, you wind up really in pain.”
What if you forget to fast or are unable due to health reasons?
“If you accidentally eat, it’s considered a gift from God,” Hassam said. “If you intentionally eat, or for some reason you’re unable to fast because you are your sick and you have to take medicine, those days you have to make up.”
Women who are menstruating are advised not to fast while women who are breastfeeding have the choice not to fast. Still, both groups still have to make up the days they missed.
“You can make up by fasting on other days or by feeding someone else,” Hassan said.
Hassam said the process of fasting tends to humble people.
“The whole month is sort of designed to be like boot camp,” Hassan said. “It strengthens your ability to practice your religion because you’re putting a lot of effort into it.”
The month of Ramadan ends in Eid, the first day of the next lunar month, which this year falls Oct. 12. Eid is a three-day celebration but in the United States it is sometimes squeezed into one day, Hassan said, because it’s difficult to get three days off from work.
On Eid, Muslims typically gather in the morning at mosque for prayers and then celebrate with family and friends. Holiday food varies by culture and individual taste.
Hassan said he plans to go to his favorite restaurant with a large group of friends, “order 200 wings and go crazy.”