Ramadan has arrived and theologically qualified adult Muslims here and in other parts of the globe are therefore required to fast -- to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual relations -- from sunrise until sundown.

In essence, Ramadan is an auspicious opportunity for believers to renew their commitment to God, their Creator and the Sovereign of the Day of Judgment. Such a commitment, however, has both outward and inward aspects. A Muslim should not only recite more Koranic verses and offer more prayers, but also do so with reflection, humility and special attentiveness.

Also during Ramadan -- the ninth month in the Islamic lunar year -- eligible Muslims are called to spend a few moments every day in contemplation to gain wisdom from the practise.

According to Islamic teachings and beliefs, to perform or not to perform a religious obligation, including during Ramadan, will always lead to rewards or punishment, respectively.

It is therefore advisable during Ramadan that Muslims perform the five daily prayers on time in congregation in order to be rewarded and gain Allah's protection.

Besides the compulsory five prayers, Muslims are also advised during this holy month to remember Allah more frequently, seek his forgiveness and ask for entry to Paradise and protection against being condemned to Hell. These actions are most likely to bring about God's forgiveness.

In practical terms, a fasting Muslim is required to preserve his or her tongue from lying, cursing, backbiting and slander, for these errors lessen the reward for fasting.

Also, as Prophet Muhammad taught through his sermons and showed by personal example, fasting can train a person to adhere to discipline. One cannot knowingly break the fast before sunset as one realises that this is unacceptable to God.

Fasting is also believed to be a necessary devise to help Muslims acquire patience in life.

By fasting for an entire month -- giving up food and drink and marital relations for those daylight hours -- Muslims remind themselves how to practise restraint and patience.

Muslims are also reminded to not let fasting be an excuse. Fasting should not cause them to cross their personal boundaries by getting upset for the slightest reason. Fasting should instead bring about peacefulness and tranquility.

The call for restraint and calm is especially valid with the 2009 general elections approaching since, without restraint and discipline, past election irregularities and violations, including violent clashes among party supporters, will reoccur next year.

Equally relevant today, especially given the government's ongoing widespread campaign against corruption, fasting is also believed to be a deterring factor. It can help restrain the devout Muslim from committing wrongdoings, including corruption, religiously categorised as haram (prohibited).

Muslims during the fasting month are required to make sure, in breaking the daily fast, that the food they eat, the beverages they drink and the clothes they wear are still halal (permitted), so that their actions may be accepted and their supplications answered.

Beyond these benefits and obligations, fasting is also expected to make a person better. In other words, as the Prophet Muhammad said: "Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break the fast be equal", meaning one's behavior, attitude and outlook should improve from having undergone the fast.

At the end of the day, every Muslim must remember and be firmly aware that Ramadan is only a means, not an end, which can help one become a better person, both in the eyes of others and in God's.

For that purpose, one must uphold the state of iman and takwa (belief in God and religious piety) and perform righteous actions after the month of Ramadan until one dies. "And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty", reads a verse in the Koran's fifteenth sura, Al-Hijr.

Similar messages also apply to non-Muslims. Calls for peace and obedience to religious duty, as well as social and legal norms, are valid for all groups within the nation, no matter what their religion.

This article was first published in The Jakarta Post on Sep 1, 2008.

Is this article useful to you?