Ramadan provides Muslims with a yearly transforming experience that shape their personality and life outlook. It is a very special month that teaches Muslims how to practise self-restraint and resist the lures of life. Ramadan is a very difficult physical and psychological exercise in self-control. In the simplest terms, it is a month of fasting: abstinence from food, drink, sexual relations, smoking, etc, from dawn till sunset, a drastic change in lifestyle. Moreover, Muslims are ordained to avoid lies, cheats, and fights to maintain their fasting. Abi Huraira - may God be pleased with him - said the prophet - peace and prayer upon him - said, "Whoever does not give up false statements (ie telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking badwords to others, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink." [Bukhari]

Ramadan acquires a very special taste in modern times as it emerges as a potential remedy for what is seen as a social malady by many experts, ie consumerism. One of the biggest challenges in our world today is the consumerism culture that has invaded every aspect of our life. Everything is within reach and people are constantly looking for the latest trends and fashion. We are more eager to accumulate more riches. Indulgence in consumption often comes at the expense of the soul and people start to forget the true purpose of life. True to the words of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), this consumerism destroyed us. In a hadeeth, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "By Allah, it is not the poverty about which I fear in regard to you but I am afraid in your case that (the worldly) riches may be given to you as were given to those who had gone before you and you begin to vie with one another for them as they vied for them. And these may destroy you as these destroyed them." (Muslim, Book # 042, Hadith #7065).

There is a remarkable and noticeable tendency creeping into Muslim community to turn religious events into shopping festivals. Before Ramadan approaches, shopping festivals and discounts on all sorts of goods are everywhere and people are encouraged to consume more at time when they are, supposedly, expected to use less. People buy more amounts of food than they consume on the average. The advertising world promises people more comfort and luxury,  which ultimately leads to covert slavery. Just as Christmas has been turned into a huge selling and consuming event in the West, one may fear something similar for Ramadan.

Ramadan's first mission is to help Muslims attain self-restraint and subdue their desires, whims and lusts, whether it is food, drinks, sex or even time-consuming technology such as smart phones. When we suppress our material desires, we refine and enhance our spiritual experiences. Millions of people fall prey to the temptation of thousands of adverts that pop up everywhere to arouse hidden desires and tickle imagination. Therefore, we are more in need for fasting than ever before to withdraw from the pressure of this materialistic culture.

A part of the problem is that it seems that there is nothing wrong with excessive consumption as long as we are buying useful things that are permissible (Halal) for Muslims. It is not forbidden for a Muslim to lead a comfortable and happy life and enjoy all the worldly pleasures to the fullest. The crucial point here is to differentiate between looking at these pleasures as means or ends in themselves. Some people are obsessed with getting more and are literally enslaved by materialistic culture, which is like a maze with no end. People entrap themselves in a vicious circle of endless whims.

As for the solution, we are not supposed to shun all material aspects of this life and deem them haram (prohibited), but we have to realize the difference between wanting something and needing something. Some practical tips might help us redress the balance. First, we have to adopt a simple lifestyle based on our actual needs, not our capricious desires. Remember the similitude the prophet portrayed of the Muslim in this earthly life: 'Be in the world as if you were a stranger or a traveller along the path."  Second, invest your surplus resources (time, money, strength) in learning, helping the poor, volunteering in charities, and worshipping. Third, teach others how to live a simple life away from the pressures of material culture.

Many are concerned that the aggressive consumerism will steal the true and pious purposes of the holy month. Ramadan invites us to experience real spiritual independence from physical needs through the practice of self-discipline and refraining from pleasure, solely for the love of God. This helps the fasting person to emerge as more powerful and become conscious of the suffering that millions of people undergo in our world today.

Courtesy of the TIES Center: The TIES Center aims at empower Kuwait's expats through social and educational services that promote a positive and productive role in society, and to facilitate opportunities for intra- and interfaith interactions that promote social solidarity. For more information, please call 25231015/6 or e-mail: [email protected]

By Hatem Basha