Local Muslims unpack the spiritual significance of fasting
Fasting is a central feature in all the Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
But for Muslims celebrating Ramadan, fasting goes beyond refraining from food and drink.
For a specific period during the daylight hours, by the order of God, millions of Muslims around the globe abstain from food, drink and sexual relations. The objective is simple; to become aware of and closer to God every moment of our life, doing away with our ego and self-indulgence, submitting to a higher power, our creator and sustainer, Almighty God.
By temporarily depriving our bodies from life’s essentials, fasting forges room for nourishing our souls with spirituality, illuminating our hearts with internal discipline, self-control, generosity and for character reformation to blossom in its place.
Interwoven into the fabric of Ramadan is an expression of solidarity with the poor, one’s family, the community and entire society. Muslims are encouraged to increase in their charity, starting on our doorstep with neighbours at home and donating to international causes.
As around 60,000 Muslims in Waltham Forest observe Ramadan, during this week we witness an upsurge in charitable giving as Muslims look out into their communities and help those in need whether they be Muslim or not.
The Brothers’ Project gives out 1,400 packs of food a day outside the Waltham Forest Islamic Association on Lea Bridge Road to all who come with no questions asked. They also home deliver to those who can’t make it.
This story is published by Waltham Forest Echo, Waltham Forest's free monthly newspaper and free news website. We are a not-for-profit publication, published by a small social enterprise. We have no rich backers and rely on the support of our readers. Donate or become a supporter.
Meanwhile, PL84U, linked to Faizan Islam Mosque (Lea Bridge Road), Cann Hall Road Masjid, Masjid Tawheed (High Road Leyton) and Masjid Umer (Queens Road) have weekly or monthly food banks all-year round.
Mosques across the borough will also be holding annual open iftar gatherings which welcome all.
For the curious onlooker, fasting can seem a rigid and austere ordeal. The physical abstinence we observe during Ramadan is aimed at much more; opening our hearts to others, creating a softness in both speech and action, but also an insatiable drive to create positive change and meet the next Ramadan as stronger, more mindful, more involved people.
Like anything in life, it takes practice. But whatever struggles we might go through; the relative benefits far outweigh these difficulties.
So, in a time when the average Briton might be silently struggling, may feel alone and misunderstood or exhausted from the daily grind, hopefully Ramadan can serve as a source of hope, as a reminder of the value of community, of gratitude for the things we are blessed with.
It can hopefully show us the value of reaching out and realising we are one body, and that when one part of us aches, the whole body feels that pain. I hope that this Ramadan can be a time for self-improvement for all and togetherness for everyone across our local community and beyond.
Ramadan is set to end on 9th April
Written on behalf of WFCOM by Shahanaz Begum, Cann Hall Deen and Education Trust, Leytonstone Hashim Suleman, Masjid Abu Bakr, Walthamstow
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
