Ramadan's real training

Md ShiblibrTHE observance of the holy month of Ramadan has started in Bangladesh, the third biggest Muslims country in the world after Indonesia and Pakistan. Nearly ninety per cent of Bangladesh's more than 140 million people are Muslims and most of them observe the holy Ramadan through fasting, praying and other pious deeds.brBut there are also many things to be said about whether the self-denials are correctly practised by many of those who otherwise fast and pray. In many homes, sumptuous 'iftars' (meals to break the fast) are prepared and consumed with relish. brThere is no restriction on eating and drinking in the evenings during Ramadan and the day-time fasting in many cases are more than made up by rich and varied dishes at dinner-time and even during 'sheheri' (snacks permitted in the pre-dawn hours). In fact, Ramadan in some homes can mean a form of festivity of eating different kinds of foods with zest and the pleasures thereof. brBut such behaviour is really contradictory to what is sought to be inculcated to the followers in the holy month. Although eating and drinking and gratifying other needs have been permitted after sunset during Ramadan, clearly the unsaid restriction remains that all such gratification should be moderate in nature to uphold the true spirit of the month -- building virtuous character of sterling qualities through a process of moderation and self-denial. Thus, only the ritualistic observance of Ramadan along with gluttony and other forms of gratification practised during the non-restricted hours can hardly fulfil the true objectives of the month.brCorrect observance of Ramadan can train the body and the mind of humans in ways that the best health and medical experts agree as very scientific and very beneficial. brThe latest medical research has established that ageing and diseases of humans are caused by an excess of food and drinks. brPeople who practise moderation in eating live longer and healthier lives. Ramadan's teaching of controlling the senses-- that include controlling anger and other instincts-- are found to be consistent with the best medical advice that blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes, etc., originate from lack of mental training and the inability to attain mental peace.brThe moral and spiritual training that Ramadan seeks to inculcate among its true practitioners can strengthen human character to face adversities, triumph over odds and maintain high moral standard in all activities. brThus, a person purified by Ramadan's proper practices and who sustains that purity of mind is an ideal person from society's perspectives. Human society can best benefit from such persons of high moral and spiritual qualities.