The holiest time for Islam

By Warren Cornwall

Herald Writer

Imad Mahmoud woke shortly after 4 a.m. Friday. By afternoon, only a glass of water had touched his lips, and that was taken before sunrise. He felt great.

"I feel how alive I am," the south Everett man said. "You feel serene, and you feel peaceful."

It was the first of a month of fasting and praying for him, as he joins many of the estimated 1.2 billion Muslims around the world for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

It’s a practice that stretches back centuries, marking the time when Muslims believe the Koran, the holy book of Islam, began to be revealed to Mohammed.

But this year, with Islamic extremists the chief suspects in terrorist attacks in the United States, and the nation at war in an Islamic country, a religious tradition only vaguely familiar to many non-Muslims is gaining more attention.

Ramadan primer

When it begins: The arrival of the crescent moon at the beginning of the ninth month of the lunar calendar. In this case, Thursday night.

When it ends: The arrival of the next crescent moon.

What it marks: The time when Mohammed is believed to have begun receiving the Koran from the messenger and angel Gabriel.

How Muslims observe the month: Fasting during daylight hours, special prayers, reciting the Koran.

Food of choice for breaking the daily fast: A date.

What to say to someone observing Ramadan (the equivalent of “Merry Christmas”): “Ramadan Mubarak,” meaning “Blessed Ramadan.”

"People that know I’m Muslim are asking me about Ramadan," Abdal Aleem, a University of Washington student, said as he sat in the Dar Alarqam mosque in Lynnwood.

Several worshippers at the mosque also said the hunger pangs that come with not eating or drinking during daylight hours will be a poignant reminder of the plight of others, including Afghans caught in the current conflict.

"It gives you a sense of what it’s like being hungry," said Nasser Dakhil, a member of the mosque’s board.

Fasting is a central part of Ramadan. Muslims are supposed to go without food or water and abstain from sex from sunrise to sunset. Often, the fast is first broken after sundown by eating a date.

Some non-Muslims, Dakhil said, mistakenly believe the fasting lasts for a month straight without respite day or night.

Pregnant or nursing women, the sickly and children can eat during the day during Ramadan.

The fasting tradition is shared with other religions. Christianity has Lent, the 40 days before Easter, and Jews mark Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, by eschewing food and drink, said Brannon Wheeler, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of Washington.

In Islam, fasting partly symbolizes existence in the Garden of Eden, when it’s believed there was no need to eat or have sex, Wheeler said.

"You are basically dependent on God," he said.

The month encourages people to reflect, repent and clear up past disputes, Dakhil said.

While it may sound strenuous, Mahmoud said he always looks forward to the focus and clarity that comes with fasting.

"Ramadan comes, and it’s like magic," he said earlier.

Much like Easter or Christmas, the month draws crowds to pray at mosques, including some who don’t attend regularly, Dakhil said. In addition to the usual prayers, the entire Koran is recited at services over the month.

The month’s end is marked with a feast known as Eid al-Fitr.

But Mahmoud said he also bids the month goodbye with a sense of sadness.

"Like a good friend you had over, and he was pleasant and righteous and good to have over, and all of a sudden he has to leave."

You can call Herald Writer Warren Cornwall at 425-339-3463 or send e-mail to cornwall@heraldnet.com.

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