Muslims in Uganda, just like their brothers across the world, are counting with enthusiasm, the last days of the Holy Month of Fasting also known as Ramadan.
Hadith (teachings of Prophet Muhammad) says that the last ten days of Ramadan, Allah grants freedom from the Hellfire.
For 30 days once a year during Ramadan, Muslims around the world refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and marital relations from dawn to sunset.
Along with repeating the confession, ritual prayer, thanksgiving and making the pilgrimage to Mecca, fasting is one of the five “Pillars” or “acts of worship” which are obligatory for all Muslims.
The Islamic calendar, which is lunar, is shorter than our solar calendar by about eleven days. This means that Ramadan moves forward every year so that there are 33 lunar years and 33 fasts for every 32 solar years.
When Ramadan comes during the dry spell with its long, hot days, fasting can be a story for another day.
Muslims this Ramadan, particularly in Uganda, have been blessed with favorable weather conditions, with showers almost on a daily in several pasts of the country.
But why do Muslims go through this ordeal every year?
It is commanded in the Qur’an:
“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may fear [God].” (2:183, 184-185)
Muslims often stress the benefits of fasting.
It develops self-control, curbs the passions and selfishness, helps one feel for the poor and hungry, and so on.
The Executive Imam, Kibuli Mosque, Abdusalam Mutyaba says the holy month of Ramadan is not only for fasting but also for sharing. He appeals to all Muslims to be more charitable.
The primary reason Muslims fast though, is that they believe God has commanded them to do so.
Closely associated with this is the idea that fasting “pleases God”–and will weigh in their favour on the Day of Judgement.
To all Muslims across the globe, Uganda in particular, may the last days of Ramadan bring you even more closer to Allah.
May Allah forgive and pardon you and declare your innocence from Jahanam.
