time to reflect

On October 4 or 5, the holy month of Ramadan officially starts. It is a time for inner-reflection, devotion to God and the practice of self-control (by way of fasting among other things) -- a kind of spiritual tune up.

For the next 30 days (give or take) Muslims around the world will be observing Ramadan and with it Fasting. Fasting starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. (One does not only abstain from food and drink, but also smoking and marital sex.) The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar) after sunset.

Able bodied Muslims are obliged to fast during this month, excepted are the sick, travellers, and womena with certain conditions (pregnant or having their monthly period) but must make up for the days if they are able.

From :http://www.colostate.edu/

The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds.

As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence

For me, this will be the month of self-reflection. Time for me to see and analyze what I have done with my life and what I want to do right in my life. I will also be practicing self-control as I will be fasting this month -- fasting from food and other "luxury" items that I have gotten used to.