Ramadan - part 3

So what are the in's and out's of Ramadan? Can non-Muslims participate?

There are several elements of Ramadan: fasting, prayer, reading the Quran, and  giving alms to the poor are the main ones. It is all about purification and focusing on the spiritual. 

Fasting - Sawm

Fasting is what Ramadan has almost become synonymous with. The actual word "Ramadan" is the name of the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The word "sawm" is the fasting. During the month of Ramadan, adult Muslims are required to fast from food, drink, smoking, and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset. There are exceptions for soldiers, travelers, menstruating women, and those who are ill. Though, they are supposed to make up those days at a later time.

There is a predawn meal called Suhur. At sunset, there is a meal called Iftar. Many times this is a time of celebration where friends and family come together. The fast is traditionally broken by the eating of dates.

Prayer and Reading the Quaran

Ramadan is also a time for increased prayer and a time of devotion. The 5 times a day prays are expected. Other prayers are offered out of devotion, and hopefully will be rewarded by Allah. There are special evening prayers during Ramadan during which long portions of the Quran are recited called taraweeh. They  take place after the last evening prayer in the mosque. Muslims are encouraged to go to the Mosque for corporate prayers, but they can be done privately. These are not required prayers, but are believed to bring extra blessings or rewards in paradise.

The Quran is read much more during Ramadan, though it is not required. Some try to read it every day, others divide it into 30 sections, reading a section everyday and concluding on the last day of Ramadan. I don't know how true this is, but I have heard it said that if a person reads the Quran straight through from start to finish without stopping, they will be guaranteed to go to paradise.

Giving of Alms

Another pillar of Islam is giving of alms to the poor. During Ramadan, the idea is to focus on the spiritual and not the physical. Hunger from fasting helps reminds them to have more compassion on those who are hungry. Self-sacrifice is honored, especially during Ramadan.

Can Non-Muslims Participate?

Yes. Many times non-Muslim families are invited to the Iftar meal (breaking the fast at sundown).  It is actually a great way to meet people and form some relationships with them. 

So What Does This Mean to Me? Here are a couple of things about which I was thinking.

1 - Thankfulness for the Gospel. We do not have to fast, pray, give alms, or anything else to try to get forgiveness of sins or entrance into Heaven. We can rest in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross.

2 - Compassion for Muslims. They work so hard, only to be cast into the Lake of Fire one day. They are blinded by a religion, and do not understand the Gospel, what a relationship with Jesus Christ is.  I urge you to pray with me for the salvation of the Muslim people.