10/01/05: Muslims purify themselves during Ramadan

Detroit News-Oct. 1. 2005

Muslims purify themselves during Ramadan

By Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi / Special to The News

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint."

-- Quran 2:183

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan will begin this Wednesday. Ramadan is more than a little sacrifice of food, water, coffee and cookies. It is about purification of the mind, heart and body.

Although the observation of Yom Kipper by many Jews and Lent by many Christians apply the same concept, the fast of Ramadan has its own characteristics and restrictions. It includes abstaining from any food, drink, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk for the whole month. The children, elderly, the sick, pregnant or breastfeeding women, travelers and whoever fasting may harm are exempt.

The fasting season is an opportunity for the faithful to experience a spiritual revolution and develop a new discipline in their relationship with themselves, their Lord and fellow human beings based on piety, humbleness and courtesy.

Fasting was meant to cleanse the house of the heart from the dust of sin, selfishness, greed, pride, impatience and, most dangerous and addictive of all, hypocrisy. Appreciation for what we have and sympathy for those who suffer are among the fruits of fasting. Therefore, Ramadan is about experiencing a spiritual energy, which provides healing and harmony in the human family and creates a stronger personal discipline, a stronger community and a stronger country.

The real victory may not come through weapons and military actions but the power of the human will to depend on God alone.

For Muslims, Ramadan carries three other wonders.

There is the Night of Power, or the Night of Destiny. It is the most beautiful night when the angels and the Holy Spirit descend to the earth and bring the spirit of peace while observing the faithful celebration of God's glory. It is the time to talk with the Lord and establish a true friendship with Him based on love, trust and submission. Many faithful retreat to the mosques for prayer and meditation, asking the Lord for help and forgiveness.

The Night of Power is an experience of sacred awe in some ways quite similar to what faithful Christians experience on Christmas Eve, when they retell the story of the angels announcing the birth of the Messiah. During Ramadan, the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Mary and Jesus are retold in Arabic and English.

The spirit of the Quran was transmitted by the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Mohammad on the Night of Power. This is a heavenly gift of wisdom with universal solutions for human problems. In the Quran, the human dialogue with God attains its highest beauty and meaning. Quranic truths are the primordial heritage shared by all of mankind. The concept of "One nation under God" is introduced in chapter 21 verse 92: "Truly this, your nation is one nation and I am your Lord worship me!"

Sadly, the martyrdom of Imam Ali in the holy mosque of Kufa in took place during Ramadan. Ali, the cousin of the Prophet Mohammed, represented the complete values that the Quran and Islamic faith stood for, yet he became the target of terrorism. Ali was the voice of justice and courage, and our community will honor his service to humanity during our Night of Power prayer service.

I wish a happy Ramadan to Muslims and a happy Rosh Hashana to the Jewish community. The Islamic places of worship will be open during Ramadan, and everyone who seeks education about Islam is welcomed.

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi heads the Islamic House of Wisdom in , which will begin Ramadan services Wednesday at 9