The historical context of Ramadan already started with the Jewish tradition upheld during Yom Kippur[Day of Atonement] to fast on the 10th day of the 10th month 'Tishri'. This was later referenced in the Koran prescribing fasting for the people as it was prescribed for those who came before (the Jewish people). The prophet adapted this fast prescribing to his flock to fast on the 10th day of the lunar calender 'Ashura'. There is also debate about whether the Prophet used to pray facing Jerusalem and that supposedly the concept of Qibla [praying facing Mecca] came about later - 625 AD to be precise - with another revelation. This would require additional study of the Bukhari texts which I have yet to do! The reason I mention this is to highlight that Islam did indeed build upon the previous religions, recognising their strengths, as opposed to creating difference. This came about later of course along with unkept beards and illiterate scholars.
At the time of the prophet not much was honky dory either and Ramadan was awash with battles - today in 625 the Battle of Badr took place between the Prophet's 313 men and the 939 nobility of the Qureish tribe. There was a dispute regarding borders, politics and I am sure women for good measure. In any case, against the 3:1 odds, the Qureish was defeated that day. Back then there were a lot of tribes in the peninsula and with long-sum division of the beobles into tribes comes a lot of dispute. Especially regarding the religio-political practices in the region before Islam, as it is commonly known today, became the norm. Back then people believed in the Lord Sirius (also referenced in the Quran) and prayed to this deity as the overarching power. It was the intention of the prophet with the revelations he received in Mecca to foster monotheism among the cult of the Ka'aba. The changes brought forth by the Prophet did not always sit well with the tribe of the Qureish, who were founders of the cult of Ka'aba. A spiritual group over run with notions of class, politics and achievement. Noteworthy is that the Prophet used to belong to the Meccan Qureish tribe (the Banu Hashim clan), the he was expelled from Mecca and went to Medinah. The Prophet went one step further in angering the Qureish by providing a religion for the nomadic tribes to follow; under Islam the Nomads could still preform their prayers by facing Mecca as opposed to visiting the site to conduct the ritual prayers. This came in handy when he was expelled from Mecca too. Allegiance had become a steadfast element and with every new revelation the rift between the tribes grew culminating in the Battle of Badr in 625. The Prophet died 7 years later and not having left clear enough instructions regarding his religio-political succession the hard work of fostering one Muslim entity crumbled as his closest followers argued as to who would become the first successor. This of course led to the division between Sunni and Shi'ia Muslims. I will tackle this in another post.
Skipping a few centuries to the juicy bit, from 1220 to 1450 the reign of Ghengis Khan and his grandson led to horrendous battles between the Mongolians and the Muslims with the final defeat of the Mongolians taking place in Ramadan. I cannot help but think of South Park here. Somehow the peaceful element of Ramadan was not yet perfected back then and it was only in later decades that Ramadan became the period for the cessation of hostilities.
The word Ramadan itself has multiple roots in the Arabic language - it either denotes the naming of a warm month or is derived from 'ramada' which signifies a scorching cracked ground due to intense heat. Either one it is supposed to be a reminder of the significant effort required to complete this month. Metaphorically one could say it alludes to the notion that this month the Devil is tied up in hell and therefor any wrongdoings are of our own making - i.e. our very own hell on earth if you may. The word sawm/seyyam [fasting] is the Arabic word for "to refrain" which is exactly what's going on this month - a lot of refraining and submission. Together the words reflect the reality of the months for many people undertakin this task in a hot country! To be honest there is very little on the subject of fasting as a concept and how it developed. Whether it developed out of necessity or choice is a riddle.
Sayyam [fasting] is testing and enabling us to develop our willpower, endurance, patience and above all else respect. Respect for our peers, elders, those shunned by society, the sick and of course ourselves. Sayyam is ensuring we gain control over our needs and wants so that in turn we recognise how little control we actually have.
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