SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE:

Muslims worldwide are halfway through the fasting month of Ramadan, which began Sept. 12 and may end Oct. 13.

Ramadan, the Islamic Lunar calendar’s ninth month, is considered the holiest month. It begins with the sighting of the new moon, after which all physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from food, drink, tobacco and marital relations from pre-dawn to post-sunset.

However, that is merely the physical component of the fast; the spiritual aspects include refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all bad character traits. A story is told that during the time of Prophet Muhammad he passed by a home and overheard a woman shouting at and insulting her worker. The Prophet sent a plate of food to the woman and asked her to eat. Stunned, the woman replied that she was fasting. The Prophet responded that she broke her fast when she began insulting and badgering her worker.

The Holy month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer and doing good deeds. The fasting encourages self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well.

It is common to have one meal (known as the Sahoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the Iftar), after sunset.

Ramadan derives from the Arabic root: ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness. Since Muslims fast during Ramadan, it is believed that the month’s name may refer to the heat of thirst and hunger, or because fasting burns away one’s past sins.

Another aspect of Ramadan is the belief that one of the last odd-numbered nights of the month is the Laylital al-Qadr, the “Night of Destiny,” in which God sends down His angels upon every living person and determines their destiny for the year. Muslims are told in the Holy Koran that praying throughout this night is better than a thousand months of prayer. Hence, Muslims will flock to the mosques for an evening of fervent prayers.

IMAM SAYED MOUSTAFA AL-QAZWINI is the founding Imam at the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County.