RAMADAN AS RESISTANCE
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become God-conscious.” (Quran 2:183)
Ramadan is more than a month of fasting. It is a divine invitation to recenter ourselves—to turn away from distraction, discipline our nafs (self), and return to God, to community, and to our collective purpose. It is a time to reflect deeply on our spiritual state, our role in society, and the systems that shape our daily lives.
The Quran makes it clear: fasting goes beyond abstaining from food and drink. It is a means to cultivate taqwa, a heightened awareness of God that transforms the way we live. Ramadan trains our souls to resist impulse and instant gratification, teaching us patience, humility, and reliance on Allah. This discipline extends beyond personal piety and it challenges us to rethink our attachments, our habits, and the ways we engage with the world around us.
Fasting directly confronts our nafs, the part of us that craves indulgence, status, and material comfort. In a world that constantly demands consumption—of food, entertainment, social media, and wealth. Ramadan offers a radical alternative: less consumption, more reflection. It forces us to slow down, detach from excess, and recognize that true fulfillment comes from spiritual alignment rather than material gain.
But controlling the nafs is not solely an internal struggle; it is also shaped by the structures we live under. Capitalism thrives on the unchecked desires of the nafs—on convincing us that we are incomplete without more, that our worth is tied to our productivity, that rest is laziness, and that self-sacrifice for profit is virtuous. Ramadan calls us to reject this narrative. It reminds us that our value is inherent, that sustenance is from Allah, and that our purpose is to serve our Creator and our communities, rather than an exploitative system.
Ramadan is an individual act of worship, as well as a communal practice. We break our fast together, stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer, and give in charity to uplift one another.
This month reminds us that we are part of something greater, that our strength comes from our ummah, and that our liberation is collective.
In a society that prioritizes individualism and profit over people, Ramadan reorients us toward mutual care. It calls us to feed the hungry, check in on our neighbors, and recognize that justice is not an abstract ideal but a responsibility. It is no coincidence that movements for justice, whether in Palestine, Sudan, Kashmir, or right here in our communities, often find strength in Ramadan. The discipline, resilience, and spiritual grounding cultivated in this month prepare us to confront oppression with clarity and conviction.
In a world that commodifies everything, including spirituality, Ramadan offers a moment to resist. It teaches us that fulfillment does not come from spending, but from faith, community, and reflection. It reminds us that our time, energy, and attention are sacred. Instead of rushing through life chasing material success, Ramadan slows us down, asking us to prioritize what truly matters.
Choosing to disengage from the capitalist cycle by reducing our spending, reclaiming our time, and focusing on relationships over transactions is an act of defiance. When we shift our values from profit to purpose, from self-interest to service, we challenge the forces that seek to dehumanize us.
“Ramaḍan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority…” (Quran, 2:185).
As we move through this sacred month, let us embrace Ramadan as a blueprint for a just world. A world where people come before profit. Where we fight oppression with the patience and resolve that fasting teaches us. Where we reject the greed of capitalism and instead embrace the abundance found in community, faith, and justice.