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First Posted on Inside Mindanao: October 17, 2007

Holy month of Ramadan in Sultan Kudarat
By Saguira Enolilang

COLUMBIO, SULTAN KUDARAT —Based on my personal observation, the month of Ramadan is the holiest in a year.

In an interview with our Ustadz, Abdulradzak Edza, and our Imam at our Mosque in Columbio town, Sultan Kudarat, Hadji Abdulrahman Macmod; the month of Ramadan was chosen by Allah so that the people can minimize their sins in the 30 –day period of Ramadan (in the year 2007, it was held last September 13 to October 13).

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, in my personal observation, from 3 o´clock in the morning, do not eat nor drink even water or saliva for the whole day. At 6 o´clock in the afternoon, this is the time that people eat and drink. At 6:30 in the evening up to 10 o´clock in the evening, Muslims attend the Mosque service called Tarawe or night service. At 1 o´clock in the morning until 2:30 in the morning, Muslims attend another Mosque service called Tahajur or dawn service.

Many sacrifices are made by a person who follows the commandments of Allah in the month of Ramadan. Some of these sacrifices are the no smoking practice, no lying, not to speak bad words, not to hurt others, and sexual intercourse are prohibited, Ustadz Edza and Imam Macmod said.

According still to Ustadz Edza and Imam Macmod, the commandments of Allah during the month of Ramadan have exemptions especially to pregnant women, women who have their monthly period, and to the people who have grave illnesses.

Allah said in the holy book of Koran that in the month of Ramadan, it is important that people share their blessings, feed the people, and give Zakat or five percent of one´s properties. Blessings to those who do not follow these commandments would be decreased in one whole year. Meanwhile, those who follow the commandments would be blessed.

Also, in the month of Ramadan, the number of Muslim can be measured by the practice called Petra. The practice called Petra is the act of giving of a person, whether he or she is a child or an adult, of rice or money. These rice and money are given to the one assigned to collect of the Islam religion.

Based on my personal observation, these days, there is a marked difference of the people, especially when it comes to values. Many cannot anymore follow the commandments during the month of Ramadan. With these, the Ustadz and Imam are continuing their education drive in order that the Islamic culture will not die out.

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