Ramadan Brings the Value and Benefits of Discipline
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Fasting during Ramadan is our Gift to God, From Which We Receive Amazing Benefits!
For entrepreneurs and marketers, the most valuable benefit from fasting in Ramadan is the extraordinary discipline that comes from refraining from all food, drink, sex and negative thinking during daylight hours.
When I was first introduced to Islam, some 37 years ago, the “closing argument” that made me say, “Yes!” was the promise that, every year, if I perform an excellent Ramadan fast, that is accepted by God Almighty, I have the opportunity to be forgiven for every sin that I’ve ever committed, no matter how egregious. That was enough for me, because … well … let’s just say that as a young, “liberated” woman in the late ‘70’s, I had a done, and NOT done a lot of things for which I personally felt a need for forgiveness! And that’s all I’ll say, during THIS Blessed Month! LOL!
That said, even non-Muslims living in Muslim countries recognize the value and benefits of the Ramadan Fast. They immediately recognize that fasting has the capacity to bring us to a higher state of being in body, mind and spirit. And – as importantly, fasting for a month will lead to rise in our level of compassion for others, as well as teaching us patience, gratitude and restraint.
This is the quality of the Ramadan fast that I find most helpful – the result of expanding our personal capacity for discipline. Refraining from food, drink and sex becomes much easier as the days go by. But the REAL value of the discipline of fasting comes in the form of our ability to control and master our thinking, and our behavior, to be compliant with an attitude of peace, harmony, gratitude, and generosity. These are the feelings and qualities that we are asked to contemplate and practice during this most holy month of Ramadan.
The History.com site offers a brief explanation of the practice of the Fasting in Ramadan, as follows:
“Ramadan is the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar, which is lunar and based on the phases of the moon. The lunar calendar falls short of the solar calendar by 11 days. As a result, Ramadan doesn’t start on the same date each year and instead passes through all the seasons. Ramadan is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of what became the Quran.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk each day. They are supposed to avoid eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, as well as unkind or impure thoughts and words, and immoral behavior. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint and self-reflection. Fasting is seen as a way to cleanse the soul and have empathy for those in the world who are hungry and less fortunate. Muslims go to work and school and take care of their usual activities during Ramadan; however, some also read the entire Quran, say special prayers and attend mosques more frequently during this time.
All Muslims who have reached puberty and are in good health are required to fast. The sick and elderly, along with travelers, pregnant women and those who are nursing are exempt, although they are supposed to make up for the missed fast days sometime in the future or help feed the poor.”
Ramadan is one of the reasons that I love this way of life. It speaks to the highest sense of morality, generosity and integrity in the human spirit. It is a practice that calls upon our ‘better angels,’ in every way.
If this is a practice that speaks to you, for whatever your reasons, let me know! No need for commitments here. Just an acknowledgement that this is a practice that might serve you in some way! Leave me a comment! I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!
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Blessings!
Shakira
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