RAMADAN Fasting In Ramadan and Developing SelfControl Ramadan
- Slides: 10
RAMADAN Fasting In Ramadan and Developing Self-Control
Ramadan is about… RAMADAN • Ramadan is a time of – intensive worship and devotion to God, – of reading The Qur`an and Reflecting on its teachings, – of comprehensive thanksgiving, – giving to charity, – practicing self-control and kindness, – of training oneself to be a better person spiritually and – improving relationship with others. 2
RAMADAN True Fasting • Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): – There are those who abstain from eating and drinking and all they gain is hunger and thirst… • True fasting involves more than abstinence from eating and drinking – Words, thoughts, feelings, treatment of others, in short, “actions of the heart”. 3
RAMADAN The Four Dimensions of Ramadan 1. 2. 3. 4. The behavioral dimension The religious dimension The social dimension The spiritual dimension 4
RAMADAN The behavioral dimension. • Fasting in Ramadan is a means of learning self-control 5
RAMADAN The religious dimension. • Fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and thus learning sincere thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. 6
RAMADAN The social dimension. • Ramadan is a time for developing empathy/sympathy for the less fortunate and generosity • People are more generous, more cordial, and more ready than at other times of the year to do good and charitable work. 7
RAMADAN The spiritual dimension. • Fasting during Ramadan is an act of obedience. • It leads to sincere thankfulness, which is the heart of worship. • It also empowers our spiritual side over our physical tendencies. Mind Carnal Self Heart 8
RAMADAN Ameliorating Factors 1. Power of intention 2. Adaptive nature of human body 3. Community spirit, accomodations 4. God’s help 9
RAMADAN Conclusion • Ramadan is a month in which humans become more like angles – No eating or drinking during the day – Obedience to God’s commandments – Better remembrance, appreciation, thankfulness – More empathy and help for others • May God enable us to take advantage of this opportunity… 10
