Ramadhan is amonth of self-training as well as fasting.Fasting increases spiritual capability.OnewhobecomestrulymodestbeforeGodfindsthissame spiritmakinghimmodestbeforehuman beings. It makes him aware of hunger and thirst.Thisunderstandingmakeshim awareofthedifficultiesofhisfellowbeings and inculcatesinhimasenseofsympathy, therebymakinghimshare His bountieswiththosewhoarebadlyinneed.
Religions and philosophiesthatpractisefastingincludeIslam, Christianity,Hinduism,Buddhism, Judaism,Taoism and Jainism.Jesus explained that fastingis a practice of humbling yourself before God.MostHindusobservefastingtoincreaseGod-consciousnessortobecomeclosertoGod.InIslamalso, fasting is a means togoveryclose toGod and awaytobecomemorecompassionatetothoseinneed.
Fastingduring Ramadhan strengthenstherelation betweenaman and his Creator.Fasting in Judaismisdefinedastotalcessationfromallfood and drink.InJainismcompletefastingisobserved, givingupfood and watercompletelyfor aperiod. Fastingpurifiesbody and mind and reminds the practitionerofMahavira’semphasisonrenunciation and asceticism.In Buddhism fastingisanimportantpractice.
Zakat isanotherbasic tenetsof Islam. Bringingabouteconomicequalitythroughcirculationof wealthin thesocietyisone of the fundamental objectives ofIslam. Itspaymentis obligatory, at theminimumfixed rate of 2.5%perannum,on all wealth thatissubjecttogrowth.
The actofprovidingalmsiscalledalmsgiving and is awidespreadpracticein anumberofdifferentreligions and cultures. InHinduismit is aDaanwhich connotes thevirtueofgenerosity,charityorgivingofalmsinIndianphilosophies.DaanisfoundinHinduism,Buddhism,Jainism and Sikhism.InChristianity, thegivingof almsisviewedasan actofcharity.In Judaism, the Hebrewwordfor almsmeansjusticeorrighteousness,for givingtothe poorhelps re-establishtherightorder.Buddhismsaysgivingalmsisessentialtofostering adeepspirituallife.
TheNight ofDestiny(LailatulQadr)fallstowardstheendofthemonthofRamadhan.God’sblessingscontinuouslyshoweronhumanbeingsonthisnight.Godsays,Wesentit(the Qur’ān)down on theNight ofDestiny.AndwhatwillmakeyoucomprehendwhattheNight ofDestiny is?TheNight ofDestiny isbetterthanathousandmonths.InHinduism,Shivratriisablissfulnightfordevotees;the Hindus believe that onthisnightShivbestowshisgrace onhumanbeings.Inthe Bible it issaidGodsaysonecanfind peaceandcomfortin thenight.Jesusspentmanynightsinprayer.MosesisconsideredthemostimportantprophetinJudaism,Christianityand Islam.He wassummonedbyGod toMountSinaifor a period of 40 nightsinorderthathemightreceivelawsforIsrael. Hereceived10 commandmentsduringthesenights.(Exodus 31; 18; 32;15-16&Deuteronomy 5;6-22).Therefore,wehavetobepatientandrespectfulofeachother’sbeliefs and rituals.