Ramadhan: our spiritual tune-up (From Bournemouth Echo)

Ramadhan: our spiritual tune-up

9:00am Saturday 14th August 2010 in

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A SENSE of “inner cleansing” that springs from an annual “spiritual tune-up”... not a punishment but a chance to reflect.

These are among the words one local Muslim used to describe the experience of Ramadhan.

As Muslims all over the world prepared for the Islamic month of fasting, I spoke to him at Bournemouth Islamic Centre and Central Mosque to gain more understanding.

From August 11 until September 9, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual relations from morning prayer until sunset.

“It is an inner cleansing and provides me with an opportunity to worship, pray, fast and give to charity,” he told me. “Fasting is an annual spiritual ‘tune-up’ – it is not a punishment from Allah. It is an inner reflection and self-control. “The important objective of fasting is ‘God-consciousness’ or ‘Taqwa’ – which means achieving a state of mind in which the supremacy and ever-presence and watchfulness of Allah is created and it develops the distinction between good and bad. “True Taqwa brings with it many blessings – the total protection of Allah against the evils of Satan which, in turn, brings with it peace, serenity and security for the pious person.”

He went on to explain that it is a time to reflect upon the plight of those less fortunate.

“I am, by the grace and mercy of Allah, most fortunate, being blessed with His wonderful bounties, many of which we take for granted – good health, food on the table, comfortable and secure surroundings, friends and family,” he said.

“I remember fondly my first Ramadhan during which I visited Mecca for the sunset, evening and additional night prayers,” he continued.

“I was but one among thousands in the holiest of places for Muslims – awesome, emotional, spiritual!

“Each of my many visits to Mecca was unique but my feelings during my Ramadhan visits were charged with something very special in my life. “Over the past 20 years since my ‘conversion’, I have been fortunate to have shared Ramadan experiences in Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Arabia – all different in approach but all meaningful and challenging.

“I am generally sad when the month comes to an end,” he concluded.

“It provides me with much-needed social contact with family and friends.”