Ramadan Discussions

See Praying for the Muslim world (click) for a daily prayer guide.

"...this is what he(God) requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Where we live Muslims who fast and have a day job endure over 17 hours without food or drink. Muslims need to ask "Does God really require people to suffer like this?"

Some of my Muslim acquaintances bravely start off fasting for the first couple of days. Others compensate by taking holidays or return to their homeland during this month. Others fast the last 10 days of Ramadan--the most important time. Any religious act like saying extra prayer or reading the Qur'an on the 'Night of Power'(Laytatul) according to the Qur'an receives 1000 fold merit(Qur'an 97:3). During this night Muslims celebrate the 'revelation' of the Qur'an. Muslim scholars believe it took place sometime in the last 10 days of Ramadan. This year June 1st is designated as the 'Night of Power'. Muslims consider this the best time of the entire year to pray for salvation and blessings. Many believe it's their night of destiny. Ramadan has been called 'month of God'--month to repent, month to forgive, a month of reward.

Is it wise to visit a mosque during Ramadan? I visited the mosque several times for 'Iftar'. Since I hadn't fasted, it felt awkward. We all sat around until it was time to 'break the fast'. We give a mixed message when we enter into their rituals without having a voice. Ramadan is considered by Muslims to be a deeply spiritual month. Many spend extra time in the mosque. It's all about the Scales(Mezan) where they believe on Judgement Day their 'good deeds' and 'bad deeds' are weighed. They believe that lax Muslims will spend some time in hell before being allowed to enter paradise.

Overall Ramadan is a celebratory month when women make special dishes to be enjoyed into the wee hours of the night. Many say "We love Ramadan."  A Muslim woman on a TV show said, "Its easy to forget the real reason why we are doing this." It becomes a cultural event. Many nominal Muslims will go along with the 'Iftar' celebrations or 'Eid al Fitr' like nominal Christians do at Christmas and Easter. When asked "Why do you fast?" Muslims often say that they can empathize with the poor. Yet, why are the poor expected to fast as well?

Matthew 6:18 declares "But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting...your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

According to the Injil(NT), it is not about merit with God. It helps to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus on God. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God, a spiritual discipline often neglected. One thing we could consider doing is missing a meal and praying for the Muslim world during the month of Ramadan. There probably has never been a more desperate time in the Muslim world.

Dear Heavenly Father, have mercy on Muslims who long for peace in their part of the world and in their souls. Amen.

Ramadan Opportunity

Bruce, former Pastor of College Church in Wheaton(USA) offered the following contribution:

During Ramadan I was asked by a local Muslim society to give a talk prior to 'Iftar'. Here is what I said:

"Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to say a few words about building friendship between neighbors.

One of the strengths of American society is that we are a multi-cultural society of indigenous and immigrant peoples. We all have a story to tell of our ancestral heritage and our lives in America. One of my ancestors, originally from England was the first woman off the Mayflower(1620).

My wife’s family more recently immigrated from Ireland and Germany.

America is comprised of people from nearly every country and region on earth. Walking down the Magnificent Mile in Chicago last Friday, I rarely heard English spoken.

How do Christians and Muslims get along as neighbors and friends?

In the Gospels Jesus is described as full of grace and truth (John 1:14-18). He interacted with people from all segments of society and with many different world views, yet his interactions were full of grace and truth.

How does his example instruct us?

Grace means God’s unmerited favor. He shows his grace to us by giving us good gifts that we don’t deserve. Forgiveness that we don’t deserve. Blessing that we don’t deserve. The promise of a restored relationship with him that we didn’t seek. God graciously pursues us out of genuine love and good will.

This is how we are to treat each other – generously extending love and good will towards others – even those different from ourselves. Grace is pursuing our neighbors with their best interests in mind--seeking to understand and listen to the other person; to hear their story and appreciate their unique perspective.

Truth means that we are honest with each other. Christians and Muslims have different perspectives on the deity of Jesus Christ, the inspiration and accuracy of the Bible and the way of salvation that God provides. Truth means that we can talk about these differences openly. Grace means that we can talk about these issues with respect.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6). Jesus also said, “Love your neighbor as yourself”(Matt 22:39). Right there – at the intersection of these two statements – we see grace and truth at work.  We are to love our neighbors who may not believe that Jesus is the only way. This is how neighbors from divergent backgrounds can be true friends. Not hiding our differences but loving through our differences.

My wife was raised in Iran. We lived in Indonesia for 11 years. In both places Christians like us are the minority. But we both have wonderful relationships with Muslims from Iran and Indonesia. We enjoy many similar values with those Muslim friends. We also have profound differences on some core issues. But friendships based on grace and truth can not only survive these differences but talk about them in a constructive way.

Thank you for inviting us to join you for this meal. As neighbors, may God help us to build a friendship based on grace and truth."

Dear Heavenly Father, help me cultivate genuine friendships and share this truth with our Muslim neighbors. Amen.

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