Ramadan: A School of Self-Management and the Foundation of Social Victory
By KH. Muhammad Abdan Syakuro, S.Ag.Chairman of MUI Kundur Barat, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands.
Ramadan is often understood merely as an annual ritual associated with personal acts of worship: fasting, nightly prayers, and charity. In reality, Ramadan is a great school of civilization—a comprehensive system of spiritual and social education that trains individuals to manage themselves, their families, and even their nations. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink; it is a serious exercise in managing desire.
The fast begins before dawn with intention and restraint. At this point, humans are trained to withhold the most basic impulses: eating, drinking, and physical desires. This is the first stage of self-control. Desire lies at the root of many human problems—conflict, greed, inequality, and even environmental destruction. Ramadan comes as a reflective moment to place desire under the guidance of values and conscious awareness.
Breaking the fast teaches an equally important lesson. It is recommended to break the fast simply: with water, light food, or a few dates. The moral message is clear—whether commoner or king, all share the same vessel of desire: the same human stomach. In the face of hunger and thirst, social hierarchies collapse. Ramadan reminds us that inequality is not destiny, but the result of humanity’s failure to manage desire and resources.
The Qur’an provides a historical illustration of self-restraint through the story of Talut’s army. When faced with a river, only those who restrained themselves from excessive drinking endured and ultimately triumphed. The message is firm: victory is not determined by who consumes the most, but by who exercises the greatest self-control. This is a universal principle relevant to personal life and governance alike.
Eid al-Fitr, which concludes Ramadan, is not merely a celebration of festivity. It symbolizes success in overcoming base desires and reconciling with oneself. True victory is not measured by the abundance of resources, but by the ability to manage them justly, wisely, and sustainably. In social and political contexts, a nation that fails to manage the desires of its elites will inevitably face crisis—even if it is rich in natural resources.
The greatest wisdom of Ramadan is the emergence of collective consciousness. Fasting is observed communally, under the same schedule, with the same purpose and discipline. It is a social exercise in adherence to shared agreements—an essential foundation for democracy, social justice, and healthy governance.
Whoever succeeds in managing their desires has completed the struggle within themselves. Whoever has resolved themselves can bring benefit to their family. And whoever transcends the circle of family will extend benefit to society and nation.
Ultimately, the highest value of a human being is not what they possess, but how much benefit they provide to others. And Ramadan, through fasting, is the quiet path toward that awareness.
ASH
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