Evolving Rituals: The Changing Spirit of Ramadan Fasting
The essence of the problem described is that, over time, the meaning and purpose of fasting during Ramadan have undergone significant changes. Originally, fasting was intended as a strict method of prolonged abstinence aimed at fostering spiritual development and the struggle against inner desires. However, the text underscores how this noble objective has gradually shifted, with fasting now being perceived more as a ritual or even a type of diet.
In the first excerpt, it is explained that initially, Muslims observed a much stricter fast (a month-long fasting period with limitations on certain kinds of food). Yet after Muhammad made it less rigorous, fasting was reduced to abstaining from food only during daylight hours. This modification indicates that the original intensity of the spiritual crisis and inner battle was partially lost—the eased version no longer implies such a strenuous fight against passions (source: link txt).
Further reflection of this issue can be seen in the description of a situation in Cairo: the vivid and flamboyant image of the evening meal, when people eagerly rush to food after the daytime fast, illustrates that by the time of the evening meal, the celebration often evolves into a mass custom dominated by basic culinary pleasure rather than profound spiritual experience (source: link txt).
Finally, the author openly remarks that treating the fast as a means to maintain a diet rather than a genuine struggle for spiritual perfection takes on a humorous tint. In effect, fasting ceases to serve as a tool for overcoming personal passions, remaining only a symbolic act of submission (source: link txt).
Thus, the issue highlighted in the text boils down to the loss of the true spiritual meaning of the Ramadan fast: on one hand, it was supposed to be a means of combating both physical and spiritual weaknesses, while on the other, it has transformed into a lighter ritual with a social, almost festive emphasis on the meal that breaks the fast. This contradiction forms the central theme of the text.
Supporting citation(s):
"Fourth pillar — to observe the fast during the month of Ramadan. Interestingly, originally Muslims in the time of Muhammad fasted just like Christians... But then Muhammad said that this type of fast was too harsh, as he received a revelation to fast only during the daylight hours... And after that, the festive meal begins immediately..." (source: link txt)
"Of course, for me it was somewhat funny, because it resulted in the fast being used like a kind of diet rather than as a tool for spiritual development... Nonetheless, the struggle against passions through fasting is not employed. In general, the fast is used rather as a means of submitting to Allah, like prayer, but not as a means of battling one's passions." (source: link txt)