The Month of Abstinence
THE holy month of ramadan has begun in Bangladesh and across the Muslim world with a message of piety, tolerance, perseverance and that to be aloof from all evil deeds. Ramadan is a month of abstinence from acts contrary to the sublime teachings of Islam. Concerted efforts are being made to inculcate the spirit and the significance of this holy month imploring enthusiastic Muslims not to indulge in extravagance, pomp and splendour while breaking the fast and indulge without any valid ground on frivolities.
Sermons, posters, pamphlets and rallies have so far failed to infuse in us all the true and inner meanings and teachings connected with the month of fasting. Preserving the sanctity of the Ramadan largely depends on those who declare to observe the month in accordance with the defined principles enunciated in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. But the most unfortunate part is that we vociferously talk, discuss and sermonise on the importance of the holy month, but, on the contrary, deliberately refrain from following the injunctions. Why this hypocrisy?
Equally vital to ponder is: Why prices of essentials have marked jolly jump in the city's kitchen markets on the eve of Ramadan? Beef price jumped to Taka 80 per kg from Taka 65-70 a day before. The Consumers Association of Bangladesh in a press release said mutton was being sold at Taka 120-140 against the Dhaka City Corporation setprice of Taka 110 per kg. Price of gram, the main item for Iftar increased by Taka 5 to 6 per kg and was being sold at Taka 28-32. Price of pulses so far remained stable. Consumers are learnt to be paying Taka 3 to 5 more for one litre of soyabean oil which was sold at Taka 55 to 58. Prices of onion and garlic have registered and will, as feared by the consumers, register a sharp rise.
The government as usual will pursue the wholesalers to maintain stability in prices, but who cares? The commerce ministry reviewed supply and price situation of the essential commodities in the wake of the Ramadan. The Commerce Minister made a clarion call to the businessmen and others concerned to maintain the price at the normal and subsistence level. The worst affected are the poorest of the poor who are under the yoke of grinding poverty where most of the days they even forego two morsels of food.
Another vexing matter is the rapid growth of Iftar-Sehri culture which is totally anti-Islamic and repugnant to the basic principles of Islam. Fri-volity, extravaganza, competition in having large number of Iftari items, hosting Iftar receptions even by our political parties are very much agonising and puzzling too when the majority poor are struggling for bare survival. This is not Islam. How long should we continue to follow big and hefty people with ill-gotten money? We are under the wrong impression and in a fool's paradise that if every one can indulge in Iftar-Sehri spree, then why not others?
It is imperative to remember that Ramadan is the month of piety, self-purification, fellow feeling, charity, cultivating the "finer qualities in human character and above all complete surrender to Allah".
Let good sense prevail upon our political leadership and the Opposition parties as well to abstain from all evil machinations, give up hypocrisy, practice tolerance, patience and perseverance and heed to the tenets of Islam in letter and spirit. Those who are responsible and obliged to mould the life-pattern and style of the much exploited people should invariably respond to the call of this glorious month of Ramadan and refrain from false promises, catchy slogans to entice the people, and work for the welfare of the broad masses.
It is incumbent upon every Muslim to keep in mind a Hadis relating to our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SM) which says: There are people who derive nothing from fasting except the pangs of starvation. They have been identified as those who cheat in weight, manipulate market prices, demand excess fares and prices from travellers, customers, patients, donations from guardians for admission to educational institutions during this holy month of Ramadan.
Fasting is not at all an end in itself but a means to an end. And that end is: transforming a believer into a practising Muslim. We cannot deceive Allah. This unflinching faith in our Creator and the constant fear of accountability to Him for all our acts of omission is enough to turn the faithfuls into bonafide "Insan" (human beings). And to be more explicit, Ramadan is the most opportune month to regain what we have so far lost, unite once again to earn the spiritual reward.
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