This column was originally published in the August 16th, 2012 edition of The Kingston Whig-Standard
This is the blessed month of Ramadan in the Muslim calendar.
Yet it is within this month that there have been incidents of hatred and violence against religious worshippers in Joplin, Mo., where a mosque was burnt to the ground; in Milwaukee, where worshippers were gunned down at a Sikh gurdwara; and the smashing of cars at a mosque in Winnipeg.
Our hearts bleed for those killed in Milwaukee. Somehow it makes it worse when a member of that community said they have been victims of previous incidents because some people think they are Muslims. Last Friday, it was wonderful to be part of the vigil, held by the Kingston community at City Hall, for those who died in the Sikh gurdwara in Milwaukee.
For Muslims, Ramadan is a blessed month because we believe the Prophet Mohamed received the first revelation while he was meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, near Mecca, in the early 7th century.
Tradition tells us that the first verses revealed are: “Read (Proclaim) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, who has created — created a human out of a germ-cell. Read (Proclaim) — for thy Lord is most Bountiful, who has taught the use of the pen — taught man that which he knew not.”
God says the Quran was “bestowed from on high as guidance to humankind … as the standard by which to discern the true from the false.”
Ramadan is the month of fasting, when Muslims abstain not only from food and drink but also from negative and destructive thoughts and actions. The intent is that the practice of self-discipline will carry on for the rest of the year. In Ramadan the sense of community is also strengthened because there are special prayers and people gather together for communal meals.
Tradition tells us that God’s mercy is more present and the gates of heaven are open wide, because it was the first time God communicated with the Prophet Mohamed. The revelations continued for a period of 23 years till the death of the Prophet at the age of 63 in 632 C.E.
As charity is one of the principal duties, Muslims give funds, food and other material things to those in need.
Although God is said to be beyond description, God wants to be known by His creation and so the Quran describes God as Light or as:
“God — there is no deity save God, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of All Being. Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. God is all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that could intercede with God, unless it be by His leave? God knows all that lies open before humans and all this is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to aught of God’s knowledge save that which He wills them to attain.
God’s eternal power overspreads the heavens and the earth, and their upholding wearies Him not. And God alone is truly exalted, tremendous. There shall be no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from the way of error …”
The message to humankind is simple and clear, yet some of us get caught up in the minutiae of differing orthodox practices so that conflicts arise.
“True piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west — but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day, and the angels and the revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance — however much he himself may cherish it — upon his near of kin, and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they, they who are conscious of God.”
In the Quran, God tells us that messengers have been sent to each and every world community. My proud Indian Muslim father believed this and counted many Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist religious leaders as messengers of God.
God’s mercy extends to:
“Those who have attained to faith in this divine writ, as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians — all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds — shall have their reward with their Sustainer; no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.”
Ramadan Kareem: may the blessings of Ramadan overcome hatred and intolerance, and may we Muslims practise what God in the Quran asks of us — charity and compassion.
