Self-Restraint

The global Islamic community, including those in the Caribbean, have begun their annual month-long period of fasting called ‘Ramadan’. This event reminds us of the multi-religious nature of our region, which is an integral feature of our strength that is not often acknowledged. Formed as states in the wake of the European conquest of the ‘new world’, Christianity was inculcated into both the Indigenous Peoples and those that were brought in as slaves and indentured labourers.
In fact, the practice of other religious traditions by the peoples outside of Europe served as the rationale for their enslavement. The latter condition would provide an environment in which they could be saved through acceptance of the beliefs of Christianity. This acceptance was not left to chance and the original belief-systems of the slaves systematically exorcised through a variety of techniques.
But against all odds, aspects of their original culture and religious practices were maintained and this is a tribute to the fortitude of these peoples that form the bulk of our forbears. While most of the peoples of West Africa (from where they primarily originated) practiced what was dismissively called ‘animism’, there were a significant number of Muslims among them. Islam had spread into Africa quite early after the passing of the Prophet Muhammed, peace and blessing be upon him, and was firmly implanted by the early sixteenth century when African slavery in the Americas was established. In Guyana, for instance, even up to modern times, Muslims were called ‘Fullamaan’ in acknowledgement of the presence of Muslims among the Fulani tribe, who were enslaved.
But it was after the abolition of slavery in 1834 and the importation of indentured labourers from the Indian subcontinent, then under British rule, that Islam became openly practiced in the West Indies. By 1838, when the first experimental batch of Indian indentured labourers were introduced in the then British Guiana, the British had not abandoned their promulgation of Christianity as the official region in the West Indian colonies. They merely altered the method of its inculcation.
Rather than the techniques deployed during slavery, the schools were the new chosen instrument for spreading what was the official religion of Britain. This institution was run by the Christian Church (called simply ‘the Church’) and the ‘education’ provided was based totally on Christian principles. The Hindu and Islamic practices and beliefs of the peoples from India had to accommodate themselves to those principles. For instance, Sunday, the day for Christian religious observations in their churches, was the official day of ‘rest’. It has now become standard practice for Hindus to have their ‘day of worship’ on Sundays – when their traditions do not have any such stricture.
It is to the credit of Islam that its adherents proved themselves almost immune to the official and unofficial blandishments of the de-facto state religion. In the face of tremendous pressures they continued with their practices – such as Juma prayers , the Friday afternoon congregational worship and fasting during the month of Ramadan. The number of Muslims in the Caribbean has actually increased after the end of indentureship and this has not been due merely to ‘natural’ population increases.
In the last few decades, Islam has spread with amazing rapidity among West Indians of African descent. In a sense, for many this is a ‘return home.’ But as we said at the onset this must be seen as an increase in our diversity, which enriches us all. Ramadan, as the Holy Quran informs, ‘is prescribed to you (Muslims) as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.’ It is very clear therefore that fasting is not unique to Islam and the Muslims. Fasting as a practice to inculcate ‘self-restraint’ is acknowledged by Islam to transcend it, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.S) said, “god almighty is not in need of you leaving off your food and drink while you continue to tell lies and act upon it.” Further he said; “there are many who gain nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst”
The real fast is not mere abstention from food and drink but restraining every limb from disobedience of God and preventing harm against mankind.
In fact every religion teaches that mankind cannot simply give expression to all its desires and impulses without forethought. Mankind must spend time in reflection on the wisdom and message of the prophets and sages so that we live in accordance with the Divine will. Happy Ramadan.