The Fourth Pillar of Islam

Beginning from the moment when one can distiguish between white and black thread and lasting until sunset, the daily observance of Ramadan is an obligatory duty for all Muslims.

During the daylight hours it is forbidden to eat, drink, smoke, touch the opposite sex, play games of chance, swear or become angry, wear make-up, or even to swollow saliva. This fast is a debt owed to Allah. It is said to partly atone for one's sins, to help control sinful passions, to identify with the poor, and to earn a place in paradise.

There is a spiritual intensity about the month of Ramadan. A Muslim is expected to read the Qur'an and pray more often, to give alms to the poor and be better behaved. Muslims believe that if they read the entire Qur'an during Ramadan they will receive a special blessing from Allah.

Girls often start to fast for a few days when they are nine years old, and boys at the age of twelve. A pregnant woman is permitted to break the fast if she feels her child is in danger. Women do not fast during menstruation, although they should make up the time by fasting at some other time during the year. those who are travelling, a soldier engaged in the holy war (Jihad), and the elderly are not compelled to fast.

For those living in Muslim nations the normal activities of the day are turned upside down. Normally crowded streets become strangely quiet. Shops will all be closed and the few pedestrians seem to be in a hurry to get home. The women begin preparing the evening meal early in the afternnon and the meal of the day is usually eaten about 2 a.m. Men abstain from working at this time and are generally more free to chat. Conversations centre on fasting. Although offered, it would be wise and sensitive of a Christian worker to politely refuse coffee or food while visiting Muslim friends.

During Ramadan it is clear how deeply rooted Islam is in society. People who may not normally be devout suddenly become very religious. Every Muslim wants to be see to observe the fast. The pressure on all Muslims to remain faithful to Islam is never more obvious than at this time.

Ramadan is a reminder that Isalm offers no real hope of acceptance with God, except on the basis of religious works. There is no hint of grace for the Muslim who fails to fulfil all the obligations imposed by Islam. This is the religious system under which 1.1 billion people live.

At the end of Ramadan comes, "Id Al Fitr," the three day "Feast of the breaking of the fast" and the giving of alms. Every child is to get new clothes, from underwear to shoes, and for poor parents this can be a hard time.

The Feast of Id Al Fitr is the second largest celebration on the Muslim calendar -- second only to the Id al Kabir (Id al Adha) the Feast of the Sacrifice which comes seventy days later.

Ramadan is a challenge to Christians. It challenges our lack of discipline, especially in prayer and fasting. It challlenges us with the fact that so few Muslims haved become followers of Christ.

In Genesis 16 we read the story of Hagar as she fled into the desert after concveiving Abram's son Ishmael. There, an angel of the lord told Hagar to return to her mistress Sarai, and Hagar named the place Berr Lahai Roe --- "The God who sees me." Today, the Muslims' God (Allah) is distant and impersonal. Let us pray that they come to know the one true God who not only sees them, but who loves them, hears and weeps over them, not wanting any to perish.

Taken from 30 Day Muslim Prayer Focus Jan/Mar 1995, PO Box 26479, Colorado Springs, CO 80936, USA.