The Sunday Mail
Sheikh Abdullah Sikacha
THE month of Ramadan is one of the most important in the Islamic lunar calendar.
While the Holy Month is synonymous with fasting and mass gathering for Ramadan by Muslims in the eyes of the ordinary, to the Muslims it represents much more.
Being the third of the five pillars of Islam observed to please the Allah, Ramadan to Muslims is a month of blessings.
While it’s a duty that has to be followed religiously, Ramadan is also a month to receive blessings.
Devoted Muslims in their different capacities during this season sacrifice their sleep and wake up in the night to engage in prayer.
It is during this month that we see the poor benefit from the rich Muslims’ generosity for the sake of Allah. And apart from fasting, Muslims do not have conjugal relations from dawn until sunset.
Sheikh Abdullah Sikacha of the Council of Islamic Scholars in Zimbabwe said this year Muslims here would start Ramadan, which is based on the sighting of the moon, either on June 17 or 18.
“Since this is a very important month in the life of Muslims the world over, it is the time everyone looks forward to it. Strange enough you will be feeling hungry but at the same time you are looking forward to feeling hungry because you are doing it for the sake of the Creator.
“So when this month comes it is based on the sighting of the moon. For instance this time we just sighted the moon for the month prior to fasting.
“You must know that Ramadan is the name of the month and is also the act of fasting. So now we are in the month of Shabaan and once its finished then we are getting into Ramadan.
“So we just sighted the moon of Shabaan a few days ago. From the day we sighted the moon of Shabaan we start counting the days and as it comes to an end we have to then look for the moon.
“In this southern part usually we rely on our neighbouring countries. If it is seen in South Africa or any of the Southern African countries we will fast because we are close to each other. And our time zones are not so different.
“That’s why at times you see that we may differ with other countries with a day. But not more than that.
“Maybe in the Middle East they may start a day earlier because they may see it (moon) earlier. If it’s seen in other countries where our time zones are different then we cannot get into fasting.
“So according to the calculation of the sighting of the moon we may start fasting between the 17 and 18th of June because we started the month of Shabaan on the 17th of May,” Sheikh Sikacha said.
While any Muslim can do the sighting, it has to be confirmed by others before fasting commences.
Children do not fast like adults, except for purposes of training, and they can break at mid-day. For all men and women, the fast must be observed.
Sheikh Sikacha said observing Ramadan was God’s command as written in the Qur’aan.
“People think that you will be drained in terms of energy but you will still be very strong. It’s only the first day when you are kind of adjusting but after that then you are back to your normal schedule. And you also feel very strong in terms of health and spirituality.”
He said the start of the fast is already received with great joy. And in the townships ululations are normally heard, as people glorify the Almighty Allah as they commence their noble duty.
This follows an announcement in the mosques.
“Today it’s a world of technology, messages are sent on WhatsApp that the moon has been sighted in case some people might not have had the chance to see the moon,” Sheikh Sikacha noted.
It’s not only children who get some exemptions, though. The elderly, women on their monthly cycle, the terminally ill, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are all exempted.
However, women on their monthly cycle have to compensate for days missed, and those among the exempted who can afford to feed the needy can do so as part of fulfilment of their duty.
“Because they can’t fast physically but spiritually, they will prepare a meal every day and give the needy. It’s like they are also fasting until the days of fasting are over.”
Muslims also recite the Qur’aan from cover to cover. There are extra prayers specifically for Ramadan after the normal evening prayers, led by Imams.
“It’s one hour to an hour-and-a-half of long prayer. And those who recite it (Qur’aan) do so from memory.
“Everyday we recite at least a chapter which will take us approximately one hour to one-and-a-half hours depending on the speed of the Imams who are leaders of the prayers,” said Sheikh Sikacha.
As the sun sets there is much activity as Muslims run around in preparation to break their fast. Special meals are prepared and children are naturally quite excited about this.
According to Sheikh Sikacha, traditionally Muslims prepare potatoes, boiled rice with peanut butter, or sweet potatoes mixed with peanut butter to break the fast.
“When you visit the mosques Muslims will be gathered immediately after the call for prayer. Cups will be lined up for people to have their sweet porridge mixed with some grounded peanut butter.
“Because of that you see the children coming in and enjoying themselves. After that you go for the extra special prayers. From then on you may have your heavy meal which concludes the night,” said Sheikh Sikacha.
In preparation for a new fasting day, Muslims wake up as early as 4am and have a cup of tea or glass of water.
After having one or two traditional Muslim fruits before pre-dawn prayers one is ready for the fast.
“That concept to just say I am fasting for the sake of the Creator because he instructs me not to eat will make you forgo that food hoping that whatever trials you are going through you are being rewarded by the Almighty.”
The final week of fasting is filled with anticipation as people prepare for the day of the Festival of Fasting. Parents spoil their children with clothes and gifts.
On the eve and during the Day of Sacrifice after preparing a meal, Muslims pay a charity for themselves and under their care a charity of 2kg of rice or equivalent to anyone as appreciation to the Almighty for enabling them to go through the fast.
Every 2kg is representative of a child and one gives according to the number of children they have.
It is also a day when Muslim ladies demonstrate their cooking expertise in the kitchen.
“Usually you prepare extra food because you have guests coming to your houses or you may be requested to visit then you have to carry some food. You may also go out with the children just to relax.
“When the day comes you have extra prayers, a two-unit prayer in the morning around 7am.
“Then afterwards it’s all about praising the Almighty for helping us go through this month without any hassle; and also hoping that the effort of fasting is rewarded fully by the Almighty,” said Sheikh Sikacha.
Once the prayer is done it’s a new day. Muslims put on their new clothes get ready to enjoy the blessings of fasting.
In Zimbabwe you can hear songs praising Allah.
“So it is a very important month in every mind and heart of Muslims because it brings them together. And make them experience how it feels to be hungry just like people living in the streets who have nothing to eat.
“This is winter our fasting will not be so long. But in summer because the days are longer you really feel how it is to be hungry, so you share their worries with them for the sake of the Almighty.
“So it’s a month of spiritual upliftment, it brings Muslims together. Sometimes as a visitor at some place you just come and sit in the mosque where you are given food. It’s the tradition wherever you are, you are rest assured there is something set aside for you to eat,” Sheikh Sikacha said.
Sheikh Sikacha said in Muslim countries there are thousands of people who eat that month without having bought any food.
This tradition of sharing brings Muslims together socially, economically, and spiritually.
It also becomes a month of de-toxifying and keeping one’s body healthy.
Some who are sick especially with stomach ulcers are said to become stronger during this month.
Once this is done Muslims are back to their usual way of life
“Times may change, situations may change but fasting will not change; it will remain as it is ever since it was introduced to the Muslims by the Almighty to carry out this noble duty,” concluded Sheikh SIkacha.
