S.2 A. 183: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint.”

The Qur'an and Hadith establish the ninth Lunar month, Ramadan, as a yearly exercise in self discipline and a greater regard and respect for the Blessings and Forgiveness of Almighty G-d, the One, Creator, Allah. These terms are for many of us synonymous.

Ramadan, like the fasting periods in Christian and Jewish theologies, represents a time of thankfulness and appreciation for Divine Guidance. With frequent consistency, all Muslims ask Allah, “Guide us to/along the Straight Way;” that prayer is answered, by both Qur'an and life-example of Prophet Muhammad, Peace and Blessings be upon him.

The month of Ramadan (beginning about Sept. 1 in 2008) marks the time, almost 1,430 years ago, when the 23-year period of Revelation began, and is commemorated worldwide by Muslims of every ethnicity and background. Here in America we remind ourselves that whatever our fasting circumstances, we are in an incredibly better position than much of the world population, many of whom - not just Muslim - are close to starvation by comparison. Yet those who are Muslim will fast - and so will we.

Further, Ramadan is a greater development of Taqwa. This term is often translated “self-restraint” or “G-d-consciousness” but represents our awareness of a higher reality, the Unseen. Let me use an example I like because I've seen it happen to my granddaughter. Early on, when I could redirect her fascination with an object elsewhere, or her toy might roll under the table, that would be the end of that: out of sight, out of mind.

But she soon developed - graduated, I would say - to realize the toy was still around; and in the case of the table, still within reach, even if out of sight. And that's the simple point: as we grow to understand that something in creation is still there, even though we don't see it, it isn't so hard to conclude the Unseen is there - even though we don't see Him!

And so we came to accept the reality of a spherical Earth, long before we could go into space and look back on it, and of the conclusion the Qur'an indicates that it's suspended by nothing we can see or control. I use that Earth photo in my office to remind me that we're all, “in the house!” and inextricably responsible, “yo,” to one another!

Given the injunction to feed the poor - if you miss a day, and at the end of the fast - and the requirement to be of charitable character, the Muslim is obligated away from selfishness or self-pity.

When the Muslim prays, alone or even in groups, (the emphasis on straight lines in prayer belies a greater truth) as we stand shoulder to shoulder we are part of an arc, completing a circle starting centrally at the Kaa'ba in Mecca in Arabia and extending around the earth, so that even our solitary prayer is not alone. Again, just because we don't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there!

And it also means our obligation to our fellow humans extends beyond just those we see - or recognize as human! The fight against racism (and all those other “isms”) is essential to shatter the false idea of exclusivity that makes us hoard what was intended to help all!

Some may say, “I worked hard for this!” May you be blessed to appreciate the many who worked so much harder and received so much less, when you have the chance to do good.

But the idea of Ramadan is not self-starvation, or showing off! We read the Qur'an, 1/30th daily, to learn the religion - and practice it! To understand, as did the imam quoted in a 1909 New York Times article on the Turkish Constitution, that Islam condemns fanaticism, as it condemns ignorance - and those who exploit it!

In an article I wrote for the Elmira Star-Gazette some 12 years ago, I'd referred to a Hadith in which we're reminded that Allah Himself does not oppress us, and gives us no authority or right to oppress others. Many Muslims, Christians, Jews and others have violated that injunction, then and now. But there is a price to pay, and all who oppress will pay it! We all must work, hard, to end that oppression - and because until we do, there will be no real peace in “our house.”

May we be blessed with a successful Ramadan, and come through the fast better prepared to improve ourselves - and the world - than when we began!

Imam Muhammad, an Auburn resident and Muslim Chaplain in the correctional systems, is a board member of the Cayuga County Area InterFaith Ministries and works with Community-Wide Dialogues to End Racism in Auburn and Syracuse.