Fasting and Moral Improvement

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

House of Representatives Commission VIII chairman Ali Taher Parasong (left), Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin (second left), Indonesian Ulema Council chairman Abdullah Zaidi (third left) and Islam mass guidance director general Muhammadiyah Amin of the Religious Affairs Ministry shake hands after giving a press statement on Tuesday (15/05/2018) at the Religious Affairs Ministry on the results of the Isbat session to determine the start of Ramadhan 1439 H. The session decided that Ramadhan would start on Thursday (17/05/2018).

Religious observances, including fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan, will lead a Muslim towards enlightenment of conscience that will hopefully lead to improving morality.

The Prophet Muhammad was tasked with several duties of his prophethood, including the moral improvement of mankind. Good character and a noble mind lays within the nature of humanitarianism. In the wake of the recent terror attacks, the people’s enthusiasm in welcoming the fasting month of Ramadhan will hopefully reduce the atmosphere of enmity because of this increased awareness of our humanitarianism.

With a noble character, we will able to differentiate right from wrong, accept differences (and champion tolerance), express empathy for other people’s suffering and be willing to sacrifice for the greater good. In short, our hearts will be enlightened.

One lesson from fasting is fostering empathy for others, and it is this empathy that raises the values of social solidarity. We need fasting to control our greed and desires for material things, which can blind us and make it difficult for us to separate what is rightfully ours and what is not, and eventually brings us to commit bad deeds.

The terror attacks in the past week has affected the atmosphere ahead of Ramadhan this year. Since the month of Rajab, Muslims have been encouraged to pray for long life so they can complete the mandatory fasting throughout Ramadhan. However, this year, we were shocked not only by the riot at the National Police’s Mobile Brigade headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java, but also by a series of terror attacks in several cities across Indonesia.

KOMPAS/KARINA ISNA IRAWAN

Students relax in an atmosphere of tolerance on Friday (9/3/2018) at Kauman Islamic Boarding School in Karangturi village, Lasem district, Rembang regency. Religious tolerance has been practiced in Lasem for hundreds of years.

We know that what the terrorists did is unrelated to any religion whatsoever. However, we are fully aware that a misinterpretation of religion, no matter what the religion is, may cause religious adherents to commit deeds that disregard noble character.

There were widespread concerns, but we hope that the recent string of violence will not affect, let alone disrupt, observing the fasting month. Through statements and the arrests of the alleged terrorists, the government and law enforcement have signaled that people’s security will be guaranteed in observing the fasting month of Ramadhan.

In this month of Ramadhan, Muslims are also encouraged to perform the tarawih prayer (optional evening prayer) to foster community-building. Also, in this month of Ramadhan, Muslims are urged to spend time in complete silence and to try to communicate directly with Allah.

Perhaps our thinking capacity may be reduced in a state of hunger and thirst, but our hearts will be more sensitive. During this time, we must contemplate more deeply on who we really are and why we are here in this world. Islam teaches that mankind is placed on Earth to worship Allah.

If enthusiasm in our prayers, as is evident in the month of Ramadhan, is placed within this framework, then we can rest assured that the nation will get better, including in its morality and character. Morals can be a capital to improve and enlighten the life of the nation. May you all have a wonderful Ramadhan.