It is amazing to see how Ramadan is inspiring people from Muslim and non-Muslim communities and spreading positivity around the world. The concept of Ramadan is very thoughtful and aims to promote the welfare of people. Sadly, people are only focused on extravagance. The widespread popularity of Ramadan has led to many misconceptions about it.
Excess: Islam teaches moderation and balance in all aspects of life, including food and drink. Eating large amounts of food during Iftar is against this rule of moderation.
Extravagance: Overeating during Ramadan can lead to extravagance, which is discouraged in Islam. Muslims are encouraged to watch their consumption and avoid extravagance.
Commercialization: The influence of social media leads to the commercialization of religious or minor festivals, with businesses exploiting the cultural significance of these events for profit. It can undermine the spiritual or traditional essence of festivals and promote materialism over spiritual values.
Cultural appropriation: Widespread knowledge of the festival can sometimes lead to cultural appropriation, where aspects of the festival’s traditions or symbols are used out of context or without proper understanding, respect, or permission.
Misrepresentation: Ill-informed people may distort the significance of religious or minor festivals, leading to misrepresentation of their cultural or religious meaning. This can perpetuate stereotypes or contribute to cultural insensitivity.
Superficiality: Focusing on making it visually appealing or modern can hide the true essence of religious or minor festivals. This can lead to an emphasis on superficial aspects of festivals such as decoration, fashion, or food trends rather than the spiritual or communal aspects.
The main teachings of Ramadan are;
Modesty: The whole purpose of fasting is to learn modesty and self-control. Breaking the fast with food during iftar is an important tradition in Ramadan, and Muslims are encouraged to do so in moderation. Overeating is against the teachings of modesty.
Compassion: Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink during the day, but also about fostering compassion and solidarity with those who are less fortunate. Indulging in fancy foods can disconnect the experiences of those who struggle with hunger and poverty.
Spiritual Focus: Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and drawing closer to Allah (God). Too much focus on food and pleasure can distract from these spiritual goals and diminish the importance of fasting as a form of worship.
Gratitude: Fasting during Ramadan serves as a reminder of the blessings that many people take for granted, such as access to food and clean water. By voluntarily abstaining from these necessities, Muslims develop a deep appreciation for the sustenance provided by Allah.
Charity Giving (Zakat and Sadaqah): During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to give to the needy through acts of charity, known as Zakat and Sadaqah. Zakat is a compulsory form of giving for those who meet certain criteria, while sadaqah refers to voluntary giving. The purpose of these charitable donations is to help the less fortunate, provide them with the necessary resources, and help alleviate their hardships.
Spiritual Purification: Ramadan is considered a time of spiritual reflection, self-restraint, and moral purification. Muslims are encouraged to engage in acts of worship, recitation of the Qur’an, and prayer to cleanse their hearts and souls of negative traits such as greed, anger, envy, and pride.
Repentance: Ramadan is often referred to as the “Month of Forgiveness,” during which Muslims seek forgiveness from Allah for their sins and shortcomings. Through sincere repentance and forgiveness, believers cleanse their souls of the burden of past sins and seek to start anew with a clean slate.
Self-Reflection and Accountability: Fasting during Ramadan promotes self-awareness and mindfulness, which encourages individuals to reflect on their actions, intentions, and character. Muslims are encouraged to examine their behavior and strive to improve themselves, to rid themselves of negative habits and tendencies that may hinder their spiritual growth.