Page 255 - Encyclopedia Of World History Vol IV

1556 berkshire encyclopedia of world history

Fasting and Ramadan

Ritual is a key element of all religions and ritual often But violations of the spirit and letter of this law are
involves behaviors involving the consumption of food, rare among the Arabs. The month is a time of great
including what one eats, how it is eaten, and when hardship for cultivators and other working men.
and where it is eaten.The following extract illustrates Since the Mohammedan year of twelve lunar months
how fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the is about ten days shorter than a solar year, the differ-
central tenets of Islam. ent months move gradually around the circle of the
four seasons. The fast month works less hardship in
Next to prayer the most important religious obser-
winter than when it comes to summer. A pious Arab
vance in Arabia is fasting. Every Mohammedan must
considers it next to infidelity to complain of any hard-
fast one lunar month out of the twelve. The month
ship caused by the fast, and the men who do the
called Ramadhan is set apart for this observance. By
heavy work of the cities are frequently the most
fasting the Arab means abstinence from all food,
scrupulous of all in its observance. Their constancy
drink, and tobacco from early morning to sunset.
reflects no small credit on their religious devotion,
From the time in the morning when a black thread
especially in summer when the days are long and hot.
can be distinguished from a white one until sundown,
From the beginning of the fast at early dawn till sun-
he may taste nothing. During the night, however, men
set may be sixteen hours or even more, and heavy
may eat and drink, and thus it happens that the fast
work under an almost tropical sun for that period of
month by day is a feast month by night. It is the sea-
time without food or drink is an indication of real reli-
son par excellence for indigestible pastries and impos-
gious zeal.There is no difference between Sunni and
sible candies. The bazaar is frequently open and
Shiah here. All are examples of faithfulness.
brilliantly illuminated the whole night. More cases of
Source: Harrison, P.W. (1924). The Arab at home (pp. 238–239). New York: Crowell.
acute indigestion come to the hospital during this
month than in any other two....
especially in India.Less interested in science and invention c. 463–c. 383 BCE), son of a prince from Nepal. Sheltered
than the Chinese, Indians can be said to have specialized in childhood and assured a life of leisure and reasonable
in responses to the sacred. Settlers of Indo-European luxury, he left behind the way of life these permitted and
background planted the roots of Hinduism, a faith that rode off seeking enlightenment and salvation. Indeed, he
called for respect, even awe, for priests and holy people did experience such, and became known as “The Enlight-
called Brahmans. It is hard to grasp an essence of Hin- ened,” the Buddha. His journey led him and his followers
duism, so diverse are the shoots and so manifold are the to self-denial and the pursuit of sanctity.While Hinduism
sacred writings that grew from those roots. It called for fostered a caste system in which the poor were destined to
worship of many gods including one above the others, remain poor and the rich to enjoy riches, Buddhism was
Brahma.A core belief of Hindus was that all living beings more spiritually democratic. But the wealthy were also
possessed an inner soul, one that outlasted the body but attracted,and many of them contributed to the building of
would then transmigrate to a new body.That belief led to monasteries that were attractive to the most rigorous fol-
regard for cows as sacred. But Hinduism is not only a set lowers. Buddhist monasteries sprang up in city after city
of beliefs: It stipulates complex practices, many of them along the holy Ganges River.
related to the belief in transmigration. Buddhism entered world history and was assured of a
Just as Daoism coexisted with and challenged Confu- future when Asoka, a king of India, gained power and
cianism in China, so Buddhism emerged to rival Hin- prestige often by the use of the sword but also with build-
duism in India.In the case of this philosophy and religion ing and humanitarian concerns, around 265 BCE.
it is possible to point to a single founder,Siddhartha Gau- Through his spreading empire Buddhism prospered,
tama (traditionally c. 563–c. 483 BCE; more probably while Asoka built hospitals and educational centers to