Set Your Tables With Guests!
Set Your Tables With Guests!
Last Updated on Friday, 05 September 2008 17:22 by Hakan Yeşilova Friday, 05 September 2008 00:00
For many of us, the sudden drop in temperature from a choking August heat to rainy-windy weather in Turkey was a blessing that came with the holy month of Ramadan which started on the first of September. Indeed, not only the political agenda, but also the exceptionally hot weather coupled with the sticky humidity of Istanbul marked this past August with sleepless nights, until Ramadan came with a merciful shower during the night of the eve and cooled down the temperature.
Ramadan is a time of devotion and prayer. For those unfamiliar with this Islamic holy month, Muslims fast from dawn till sunset, keeping away from food, drink, and sexual relations, as well as from uttering any bad word or committing other such sins. But Ramadan is far more than a time of individual devotion only, although there is a certain personal sphere where one withdraws for spiritual retreat. It is also a time when social relations between Muslims soar more than any other time of the year. As a matter of fact, spiritual devotion and social mobilization merge in this holy month in a rewarding combination. Fast-breaking meals (iftar) especially offer an opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together cordially and collectively appreciate the blessings we usually do not notice at other times. Rich people donate iftars in public tents while people from all walks of life stand in prayer shoulder to shoulder for tarawih at nights.
Answering a question about how to be prepared for Ramadan, Fethullah Gülen refers to this social aspect of the holy month. "Set your tables with guests rather than with different kinds of food," says Gülen in his latest address before Ramadan at www.herkul.org (August 18, 2008). "If possible for an entire month, do not be alone while breaking your fast or having your predawn meal; either go for a visit, or invite guests to your table. Open your doors to everyone, and behave like the Messenger of God and His Companions who shared with others whatever they found edible in their homes."
For Gülen day and night do not make any difference. Thepredawn meal is usually eaten at 4 a.m. in the morning. In his address, Gülen encourages Muslims even to host guests who can make it that early. Gülen also recommends solving insurmountable problems with diplomacy benefiting from the peaceful aura of Ramadan that has permeated every soul.
It is our hope that Gülen's call is welcomed by large sections of our society, and Ramadan becomes a month of reconciliation between some polarized circles.
