Reader Discretion Is Advised

Warning - The following entry contains my personal views of religion. It is in no way meant to coerce of offend public opinion.

Please read the entry only if you are able to remain open minded in the realm of differing religions.

Fast Forward

Once every year, Muslims worldwide will fast from dawn to sunset for a period of a month. This period called Ramadan, falls on the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is revered because it is believed that this was the time the first few verses of the Quran was revealed to an illiterate Mohammad.

You can read many facts and information on the origins and the likes on the web. Many people will share that the act of fasting is to experience hunger to appreciate how the poor and starving feel. Sure, this is valid enough. However, Ross explains Ramadan from a slightly different angle.

To him, this simple act of fasting stems from a deeper level derived from obedience.

How so? You ask.

Look at it this way. It is natural for anybody to want eat when hunger pangs set in. To have someone tell you to reject this basic physiological need goes against the natural order of things.

For Ramadan to work, you need to first believe that there is a higher, greater order in this world before you can throw reason away and heed the command to fast.

To be able to control this physiological urge to eat when the stomach contorts with hunger is quite a feat. And let me share with you, going without food or drink for a good chunk of a day when the rest of the world is happily munching away requires immense willpower.

There is an indescribable sense of accomplishment that accompanies the completion of a day of fasting. And if you can pull that feat off, the will to resist temption can be brought across to other aspects in your life.

Perhaps it is easy enough to fast for a day, but multiply that by an entire month and you get the picture. If you don’t have enough faith in your religion, it’s easy to fall through the cracks and give in to temptation.

Like doing the 5 mandatory daily prayers in a set regime and timing, fasting, the call to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, making a donation etc, all requires an immense discipline to follow the rules stated by God. And the beauty in obedience blossoms a strong faith.

A faith in that there is a God.
A faith that you can obey.
A faith to resist temptation.

However, I don’t believe anyone should be punished for disobedience simply because religion cannot be forced upon anyone. To comply with something just because you are obliged to, serves no purpose other then marketing oneself as a devotee.

What use is there in acting when the act is involuntary?

To flout commands when you know its consequences should be between God and you. And not man versus man.

Hats off to all those making the effort to strengthen their faith. It is a blessing to be able know that there is a God.