Fasting is to purify mind and body

Once again the blessed month of Ramadan is here. The very word ‘Ramadan’ derived from the Arabic term ‘Ramad’, means which is fiercely and vehemently heated by the sun and the word to be more precise means to burn in the intense heat of sun.  When the term is connected with the belief of Muslims, it means to burn the sins of believers in the intense heat, which is also applied in other religions and culture.

Ramadan is the fasting month of Muslims. The very design and notion of fasting is to purify mind and body to the fullest. As it is a proven fact that body purifies within itself by doing away with food at times and so do our birds and animals that miss their food once in a time for a proper digestive function. Hence fasting apart from purifying the body also strengthens mind and body simultaneously.

Undergoing the process of starvation amid plenty is an expression of devotion and the sign of strong willpower. Mahatma Gandhi was one such political hero who valued the concept of fasting more decorously and reverentially. Gandhi had a strong insight to use the powerful weapon of fasting as a strong tool and tactics to confront the fight for freedom. Unfortunately, fasting has now turned out to be an occasion of feast.

According to the Muslim tradition, fasting means self purification, which takes place when one understands the pain of hunger and the sufferings of the poor. But in this, I feel more of mocking at the spiritual concept than honoring it.  Now, the general impression of the season is more of ‘feasting’ than of ‘fasting’. In Kerala now it has almost become a culinary festival of Malabar cuisines. The root of Muslim tradition is its social consciousness and when I think of fasting I would like to quote the words of Prophet Muhammad, ‘He is not a believer who eats when his neighbor is starving’.
(M.N. Karassery is a writer and social critic)