Head of the Tablique Muslim sect Sheikh Sulaiman Kakeeto leads Iddi prayers at Clock Tower last year. Today marks day five of Ramadan. FILE PHOTO(Mambo ya mwaka jana hayaa)
Today marks five days since Muslims began their fast in the holy month of Ramadan. The 30-day long period is a time of repentance and full of blessings. More believers are thronging mosques to reap from the season and many spend less time on earthly things.
Today marks five days since Muslims began their fast in the holy month of Ramadan. The 30-day long period is a time of repentance and full of blessings. More believers are thronging mosques to reap from the season and many spend less time on earthly things.
Fasting begins from dawn to sunset. It is broken with prayer and a meal called iftar. After the iftar, it is customary for a Muslim to go visit family and friends. The fasting then resumes the next morning.
Ramadan expectations
During Ramadan, strict restraints are placed on the daily life of a Muslim. They are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual relations during the day. Due to its significance, females who usually find it hard to veil, are tamed during this period. It is believed that it was during this season that the Koran “was sent down” from heaven.
Ramadan is also the third pillar of Islam and the wisdom behind this position, according to Muslim scholars, is that it is a fulcrum upon which the other four pillars; believing in one God, praying five times daily, helping the needy and performing the Hajj are balanced. The weak, sick, children, travelers, pregnant and menstruating women are exempted from fasting during this month.
During Ramadan, strict restraints are placed on the daily life of a Muslim. They are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual relations during the day. Due to its significance, females who usually find it hard to veil, are tamed during this period. It is believed that it was during this season that the Koran “was sent down” from heaven.
Ramadan is also the third pillar of Islam and the wisdom behind this position, according to Muslim scholars, is that it is a fulcrum upon which the other four pillars; believing in one God, praying five times daily, helping the needy and performing the Hajj are balanced. The weak, sick, children, travelers, pregnant and menstruating women are exempted from fasting during this month.
Medical benefits
Dr Shaban Ssekyewa says fasting promotes detoxification as it’s during this period that the body breaks down fat.
“It gives the digestive system a much-needed rest. After fasting, both digestion and elimination are energised,” he said. He says fasting also relaxes allergic reactions including asthma and hay fever as well as regulating high blood pressure.
Dr Shaban Ssekyewa says fasting promotes detoxification as it’s during this period that the body breaks down fat.
“It gives the digestive system a much-needed rest. After fasting, both digestion and elimination are energised,” he said. He says fasting also relaxes allergic reactions including asthma and hay fever as well as regulating high blood pressure.
“Fasting normalises blood pressure and it can remain low after fasting, if the person follows a health-supporting diet and lifestyle,” Dr Ssekyewa said. This year, the new moon which marks the beginning of fasting, was sighted much earlier than the previous three years. Muslim fasting is based on a special lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the widely used solar calendar.
This actually explains why Muslim fasting and other Islamic holidays change each year. Fasting during Ramadan is prescribed for every healthy adult Muslim. Sheikh Silaman Kasule Ndirangwa, the Kampala district Khadi, says the good that is acquired through fasting can be ruined by five things; telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath, greed or covetousness.
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