E

ndy Bayuni in his entertaining article '€œAre we celebrating or observing Ramadhan?'€ (The Jakarta Post, July 21) asked whether the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan is to be celebrated or observed. Well, as a lay Muslim, I have no hesitation whatsoever to say that Ramadhan is to be both observed and celebrated. No two ways about it.

It is a well-known fact that there are many pious Muslims who in the six months preceding Ramadhan would make supplication to Allah, asking to be granted yet another opportunity to perform the fast, and during the next six months after Ramadhan, praying that Allah would be merciful enough to accept or be pleased with all their religious deeds performed during that period of abstention. Such is the significance of the month of Ramadhan in their belief.

Muslims agree that the month of Ramadhan, the ninth in the Islamic lunar calendar, is a very special month. As mentioned in the Holy Koran, it was during 17 Ramadhan some 15 centuries ago that the first revelation was made to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

And since then there have been many important events that happened during the month of Ramadhan, including the famous victory known as the Battle of Badr, a turning point in the history of Islam, which took place on March 13, 624, coinciding with 17 Ramadhan in the second year after the migration from Mecca to Medinah (known in the Islamic calendar as al-Hijrah).

Indonesia proclaimed its independence from the Dutch also during the month of Ramadhan (Aug. 17, 1945 coincided with 8 Ramadhan 1364, a Friday to boot).

So, there have been more than enough '€œturning points'€ in the history of Islam that occurred during the month of Ramadhan, and hence reason enough (excuses to some) to celebrate it.

Now, we are treading on shaky ground here with the question of how to celebrate? There are so many ways one can celebrate joyous occasions. But indulging in gluttony is certainly not one of them, definitely not in Islam. There are verses in the Koran which strictly forbid excessiveness, even on the battlefield.

Regarding eating, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned Muslims not to indulge uncontrollably. It is narrated that he counseled Muslims '€œto fill only a third of the stomach with food, another third with water and the remaining third with air.'€ In other words, what he means is eat only when you feel hungry, not when you are already satiated. Do not overeat, that is the message.

Muslim scholars agree that the month of Ramadhan should be filled with good deeds and lots of prayers and should forge yet again the ability to exercise patience '€” including, among other things, the patience to refrain from eating like a horse.

In fasting, the same lesson is taught and relearned annually. Imagine, if you will: It is midday in humid and dusty Jakarta. You'€™ve been about your business since early in the morning. You are only human. You are fasting, the pangs of hunger and your parched throat are killing you '€” and of course, if you are a smoker, the urge to inhale the nicotine must be unbearable.

There is temptation everywhere '€” food stalls and cold bottled tea that you could easily obtain without anyone you know ever knowing. You could find a secluded place and eat and drink to your heart'€™s (tummy'€™s) content, and smoke to your soul'€™s satisfaction. Then wipe your mouth and still pretend that you are fasting. But you don'€™t do that during Ramadhan.

Why? Because you are ashamed before Allah, who you believe is all-seeing and all-knowing. So you soldier on until the sun sets. In this you have answered the question, '€œquis custodiet ipsos custodes?'€ You are your own watchman. That is one of the purposes of fasting in Islam. If every Muslim stayed true to the lessons of Ramadhan, the KPK would be redundant.

Of course Islam is not a killjoy. Observe Ramadhan faithfully and celebrate with family and friends, but do not go overboard. Muslims must have a balanced life, a middle way (Koran 2:143) between observation and celebration.

Abid Al-Haqq
Melbourne