Starving for 17 hours is not always a pleasant experience. Not to mention, sports, school, work and other factors of daily life adds a constant thirst ebbing in the back of a dry throat, and deepens the hallow in the stomachs of Muslims during the month of Ramadan. Still, they don't want people to pity them. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims take the oath to fast everyday for the entire month from sunrise to sunset. While there are exceptions to this obligation, people do not know why Muslims choose to fast for 30 days, rather than eating that delectable slice of pizza or sipping on some cool lemonade to combat the summer heat. In fact, the month of Ramadan is not a time to starve, but learn, grow and change as a Muslim and a person. Fasting is a way for Muslims to connect with their Lord, while understanding the struggles of the poor.
The month of Ramadan is considered to be a holy month since the Quran, the scripture of Islam was revealed in its entirety to the people during this time. It is a time of reflection and to think about our flaws to better ourselves. In a nutshell, the month of Ramadan is a training camp where Muslims train to not only become better Muslims, but better people. It carries them forward throughout the year, since it leaves them with a sense of patience and generosity while forging a deeper connection with their Lord. By fasting during this month, Muslims are not subjugating themselves to a ritual of starvation and deprivation, but they are utilizing an opportunity to connect to the needy.
While socioeconomic class divides people, the month of Ramadan forges a bond between Muslims and the less fortunate, since it allows them to appreciate the luxuries in their lives and never take for granted. At the end of the day, our wealth does not define our position in society, and the month of Ramadan makes it so Muslims have a better grasp of the harsh lives of the needy, so they become more likely to be generous towards them. This connection and understanding helps create a community where everyone is equal and deserves kindness. The poor could be blacks, white, Hispanics etc. but to a Muslim their race, religion, sexuality, or ethnicity is not a contributing factor in whether they deserve to be treated fairly and kindly, but the fact that they are less fortunate makes them deserve kindness that much more.
Fasting is not just a ritual or act of worship, but a connection that is forged with people that we may never be able to relate to otherwise. It allows Muslims to become closer with the less fortunate and be conscious of the struggles in their lives now that they experienced it first hand. Ultimately, the fasting is a reminder for Muslims that all people deserve kindness and compassion, regardless of their wealth.
