Reading from the Qu'ran - "Ramadan is the month during which the Qu'ran was revealed [to the prophet Mohammed], providing guidance for the people, clear teaching, and the statute book... Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein." [2:185]
The Qu'ran also provides some instructions for the Fast of Ramadan: "You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then you shall fast until sunset..." [2:187]
We call Unitarian Universalism a living tradition because it is dynamic. It is always growing and changing, like something alive. The bylaws of our association states, "The living tradition we share draws from many sources." One of the sources are the "Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love." Another source of our faith is "Wisdom from the world's religions, which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life." I hope this morning to show that despite many of our preconceptions, Mohammed was such a prophet and Islam can be such a wise and inspiring religion.
Our Unitarian Universalist bylaws also acknowledge our Judeo-Christian heritage, "which calls us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves." We live in a time of two terrible wars in the Middle East, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a time of great misunderstanding and prejudice among many non-Muslim Americans against the religion of Islam. We as Unitarian Universalists are called upon to better understand our Muslim neighbors... and to love them as ourselves. One way to do that is to walk in their shoes for just a few minutes this morning.
Last week we explored the meaning of Yom Kippur, the last day of the Jewish New Year observances. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, fasting and prayer which ends at sundown with a meal. Now imagine a full month of such fast days. This is what Muslims are called to do during Ramadan, the most holy month of their lunar calendar.
I found it very interesting to study this holiday and see how it was similar in form, but very different in meaning from Yom Kippur. Both are Abrahamic religions, called such because they, like Christianity, are descended from the patriarch Abraham. Muslims consider themselves... along with Jews and Christians... to be People of the Book, followers of the written word of God. It is unfortunate that all too often Jews, Christians and Muslims today don't see themselves as equal relations.
To study the Fast of Ramadan is one way to walk in the shoes of Muslims. To study Ramadan is also to understand that the vast majority of mainstream Muslims hold similar values to our own about justice and compassion, especially toward poor and disadvantaged people. One of the instructions for the observance of Ramadan is to feed the poor. In fact, helping the poor by giving to charity is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims by religious law must give two and one-half percent of their income each year to those less fortunate in the community. People with some money, like many American Muslims, are also expected to give to projects like the construction and upkeep of hospitals, religious schools and mosques. Most American Muslims who give to overseas funds are giving to such projects in under-developed, needy countries.
I think a second reason to learn about Ramadan is to learn something about the religious practice of fasting. Maybe you'll be inspired to try fasting as well... to gain greater spiritual awareness.
Some of you may be familiar with the beliefs of this major world religion. You may have heard of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are its basic beliefs and practices. I'll describe them here so everyone can understand the basics.
The first Pillar of Islam is the declaration of faith or shahadah. This is "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger." Muslims explicitly reject the worship of many gods because at the time of Mohammed, the Arab people where split into warring tribes, each of which worshipped their own gods. Mohammed wanted to unify them and bring peace to the Arab lands.
The second pillar is prayer or salah. A Muslim prays five times a day: at daybreak, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and evening. As it is described by the author Catherine Petrini, "At those times, all men and women - and older boys and girls - are supposed to stop whatever they are doing. They perform a ritual washing and then they turn to face Mecca and worship Allah." (What Makes Me a Muslim, p. 21)
The third pillar is the zakat, a requirement that all Muslims follow God's will by helping the poor. I've described that already, so I'll go on to the next pillar.
The fourth pillar of Islam is the yearly fast of Ramadan. This is when, according to Islamic belief, Mohammed received his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel. As Catherine Petrini describes it, "Fasting reminds people to focus on God each day instead of their physical needs. It also helps them imagine how it feels to be poor and hungry so that they will treat poor people kindly and be thankful for their own blessings. Pregnant women, small children, and sick people are not supposed to fast." (p. 23)
"The fifth pillar of Islam is the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Traditionally, every Muslim is supposed to make this pilgrimage to Muhammad's hometown at least once in their lifetime, except for those who are too sick or too poor. This pilgrimage takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar." (p. 24)
That's the Five Pillars or basics of Islam. I don't think they are really that hard to understand. But I do think Islam demands more of its followers that many other religions. However, I also think that devotion and self discipline are not bad things, and can be virtuous in the right context.
You might have noticed there is nothing in the Five Pillars about fighting infidels or opponents of the faith. This is merely the teachings of the radical Islamists and not representative at all of mainstream Muslims. Know that there are over 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide. There are approximately 5 million in the United States, the vast majority of who live peacefully and oppose and condemn violence.
Most of you have heard the term jihad in the context of a holy war. I'd like to explain for a moment the word jihad. Here is Petrini's excellent description:
"The worst stereotype faced by Muslims in non-Muslim communities is that Muslims are violent... As a result, many Muslims face discrimination and hostility from non-Muslims who are afraid or angry...
"At the root of the misunderstanding is jihad, sometimes called the sixth pillar of Islam. Jihad means, simply, 'a struggle.' Many non-Muslims think the term refers only to a holy war-violence by Muslims against non-believers. But jihad also has another meaning. After a battle against his enemies, Muhammed once said, 'We return from the lesser jihad [struggle] to the greater jihad.' He meant that a Muslim's really difficult battle was not a violent struggle against those who threaten the faith, but an internal struggle to overcome personal selfishness, laziness, and greed in order to submit to God's will." (38-39)
While the Qu'ran does teach that violence may be necessary to defend the faith, it is justified only while under direct attack or if a Muslim is trying "to rescue weaker people who are harmed or oppressed." (p. 40) It specifically condemns those who start violence or commit violence against women and children.
I'll tell you a little bit more on Ramadan. As I said to the children earlier, we're in the month of Ramadan right now, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. What is required is that Muslims follow the teachings of Qu'ran and refrain from eating during the daylight hours. As it was written, "You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then you shall fast until sunset..." The fast is usually broken in the evening by eating a few dates and drinking water, as Mohammed did when he broke his fasts. This is following by prayer and a special meal called an iftar. It is a simple meal eaten together with the family and perhaps some invited guests.
Ramadan is a time when Muslims may go to school or work, but also concentrate more on their faith and less on their everyday lives. It is a time for worship and contemplation, beyond even the regular prayers required five times a day. During the month, many Muslims re-read the entire Qu'ran, sometimes out loud to their families. Toward the end of the month is the Night of Power, when the Angel Gabriel was supposed to have first appeared to Mohammed. On that night, people go to the mosque and stay for an extra long evening service. Many men and boys celebrate this by staying at the mosque all night to pray. Children may also work on arts and crafts projects and sleep in sleeping bags, similar to a youth group overnight at church. Of course, there is a big breakfast in the hour before dawn.
Faithful Muslims follow strict rules of behavior during Ramadan. To violate these rules can destroy the good blessings acquired during this time of intense prayer and religious devotion. A Muslim cannot tell a lie, slander, denounce someone behind their back, swear a false oath, or act out of greed or covetousness.
To me the biggest challenge to being a good Muslim would be to submit to the will of Allah. I'm not sure anyone knows what God's will is for us... or if there is such a thing as "God's will" in such personal terms. And Unitarian Universalists aren't very good at submitting to anyone else's will. We question blind obedience and value independent thinking. We are slow to cede our personal authority to anyone and prefer to rely on our own values and moral judgment to guide us. We say that we learn from the wisdom and experience of others... prophet women and men... both in the past and present, but take nothing as gospel.
Yet I still respect those who struggle with submission to something they deem more worthy or greater than themselves. I have often admired those ascetics who practice self-denial, like Buddhist monks and nuns who have no possessions except their begging bowls - or the "desert fathers" of early Christianity who lived in caves and ate very little. I wonder if their spiritual lives are (or were) richer than mine.
I must also admit that the idea of fasting doesn't appeal much to me, simply because I'm slightly hypoglycemic. I get headaches and shaky when I'm really hungry, so I don't think fasting would help me to become closer to God. I'd probably just be thinking about my empty, growling stomach and my own discomfort. On the other hand, I may be dismissing this too lightly. Maybe that's the point... to be uncomfortable in order to develop greater compassion for the hungry of the world as well gain a greater appreciation for God's many blessings to oneself and one's family. But I guess I'm not willing (or strong) enough to give up my physical comfort. You may chalk that up to being an over-privileged American.
Yet I'm certainly willing to share some of my personal wealth with others who are in need. I'm most willing to help feed the poor through donations of food and money. I hope that you are, too. That reminds me that we have an empty basket in the hallway for donations of non-perishable food to the Taunton food pantry. The need for assistance in Taunton is great and always growing, so I urge you to bring something in during the next couple of weeks... a box of cereal or a can of soup or tuna fish... to put in the basket. The list of most desired foods is posted on the wall above it.
What does appeal to me about Ramadan is the idea of devoting a special time to contemplation and prayer. It's something we don't allow ourselves in our fast-paced lives. I think we could all benefit from slowing down and contemplating more, appreciating the gifts we have received and trying to better lives. It's a time to get in touch with the Divine Spirit, the Ground of All Being, Allah or whatever name you call God.
Ramadan is also a time when Muslims come together as families and in community as often as possible to pray and to eat together. Wanderers, even strangers, are welcome with gracious hospitality. This was expressed in our opening hymn, "Come, come, whoever you are, wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. Ours is no caravan of despair. Come, yet again, come." It's a hymn that many Unitarian Universalists love and sing to open their worship services, without knowing its source... the Muslim poet Rumi.
Let me close with the words of the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, the UU Minister in Clearwater, Florida and a native of India who resonates with the central teachings of Islam.
In this holy season of celebration, reflection, repentance and sacrifice,
May we create the spiritual and emotional space our lives so desperately need.
Let us take a lesson from our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Let us make our own fast, make our own emptying, so the spirit of Life can enter into our lives.
Amen and blessed be.
Catherine M. Petrini, What Makes Me A Muslim? Farmington Hill, MI: KidHaven Press, 2005
Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, "Why I am fasting for Ramadan" in the UU World, Fall 2006 Also http://www.uuworld.org/life/articles/whyiamfastingforramadan6271.shtml