RAMADAN AND DESIRE-MANAGEMENT
In the Chapter Al-Baqarah (The Heifer) of the Quran, believers are enjoined to fast during the month of Ramadan:
“Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil.” (The Quran, 2:183)
What is meant by fasting? The term ‘Roza’ is of Persian origin. In Arabic, it is known as ‘Saum’ meaning abstinence. It is an exercise aimed at controlling our desires. In other words, it is the Art of Desire Management.
Every man is filled with desires. One way of leading the life could be by following our whims and doing whatever we feel is correct, be it taking revenge, conducting robbery, indulging in corrupt practices, getting angry, being selfish etc. because all of these are desires. The other way can be leading a life whereby these desires are wilfully managed.
God has given us free will and our test is to rightfully use this freedom and thereby control our desires. Thus, the individual who fasts, imposes self-discipline. The one who does not fast, lets his desires loose. In this context, fasting teaches desire-management.
Fasting is to abstain from eating and drinking for one whole month. The period of fasting begins from sunrise and ends at sunset. Throughout this month, believers can eat and drink during the night, but not in the daytime.
According to Islamic teaching, fasting is not simply about experiencing hunger and thirst. In fact, hunger and thirst are symbolic of purifying the soul and training ourselves to control or manage our desires. The Prophet of Islam has said that one, who fails to abstain from using abusive language and persists in his evil habits, will not have his abstinence from eating and drinking accepted by God. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1689)
The fact is that everyone has enormous desires, everyone has an ego and there are many negative thoughts hidden in the human heart. To live the life of a true believer, one is required to control one’s desires and to try to live a life of self-restraint.
According to Abu Huraira, the Prophet of Islam once observed: ‘When any one of you is fasting, he should refrain from all indecencies. He should not raise his voice. If anyone fights with him or abuses him, he should not retaliate, but simply say that he is fasting.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1894)
By giving up eating and drinking in the month of Ramadan, a person tries to train himself for a greater form of fasting, that is, refraining from all kinds of evil habits by managing our desires. Psychological studies show that if someone forms a habit over a period of a whole month, this habit becomes a part of his second nature. In one sense, fasting in the month of Ramadan is based on this human psychology, which is used to bring about moral training in self-discipline and desire-management.
Self-disciplined behaviour has the greatest value in the life of a man or a woman. It makes one a predictable person and a good member of society. Self-discipline makes one a man of principle, thus enabling one to perform one’s duties. It develops a mature personality and makes it possible for one’s potential to be utilized in significant ways.
Self-discipline, in helping one to evolve as a developed personality, is the key to all kinds of success. It saves man from provocation, anger and unnecessary involvement. It is a master formula by which he can manage all the affairs of his life. Without self-discipline, man is like an animal; whereas with self-discipline he becomes a human being in the complete sense of the word. Self-discipline, in setting bounds to man’s freedom, helps him to manage his desires and checks him from going astray.
Self-discipline is an act of the present, but it brings one great benefit in the future. Self-discipline is the best formula for future building. It saves one from saying: “Alas, I missed the bus!”
