This is going to be my fourth Ramadan and a very special Ramadan at that. I will be spending half of it here in Saudi Arabia and the other half Inshallah I will go to South Africa to spend it with my friends and family.
Ramadan is always the best part of the year for me. It is the month of patience, sacrifice and silence. It is a month of prayer and believing that Allah hears our prayers and pushing our faith to the highest limit.
Allah promises us that in the month of Ramadan that our sins are forgiven and that Allah blesses us bountiful.
Ramadan is the time to to give forgiveness and ask for forgiveness for any wrong we have done to others and most of all the wrong we have done to ourselves.
It is a special month of being in the company of Muslim brothers and sisters and to share a common love for our Lord, the Most Merciful.
In South Africa, Ramadan is like any other month except for Muslims. We get up early to eat our food and then go to to work. We work in the same conditions as we work in any other month. It is a struggle for most Muslims living in non-Muslim countries. However, I believe that we should not despair and not to focus on the length of the day and the work, but rejoice, because Allah can see our dedication even through tough times.
In Every Ramadan I try to make a list of issues/problems that I have to work through and try to overcome these issues through my fasting and prayers.
This year, I am focusing on two things that have weakened my character. Patience (Sabr) and sensitiveness. I have been extremely impatient with situation around me, most of all impatient with myself. It has been something I have struggled with for a long time. When I have a goal, I set it and no matter what I want to achieve that goal, even if it someones defeats me or wears me out. I believe that Patience is a virtue. It shows faith in Allah hearing our prayers and at the same time answering them.
Sensitivity has been another issue that has blunted me a little. I can't seem to take criticism very well, and it has only happened recently. I think it is, because my life has slowed down and I actually get the time to think about what people say and think about me. However, people's words are just that.... words. Should I measure my expectations to what people think and say about me? Or should I measure myself to what Allah thinks of me?
I should trust more in Allah and let Him be the only judge of my character.
Like many Muslims, I am sure everyone one else has things that they would like to break through, that are holding our spiritual growth back or displacing our faith in Allah. We should look at those little things that deflates our character, work on those things and always ask for Allah's guidance and assistance.
During our lives, Allah will test us. He says that in Surah Al-Baqara. He will test us with hunger, with fear, lost of lives and the fruit of our toil. We must seek patience and His Face in these times.
Allah will never give us something that is too heavy for us to carry. He will never exert us, but strengthen our faith and our Eman in Him. So fear Allah and forever seek forgiveness from Him.
Now, what I have seen is that some Muslims sleep the whole day and eat the whole night during Ramadan. This is something new for me. Sleeping throughout the day during the month of Ramadan is NOT sacrificing anything. Some leave their work early or don't even come to work. We become lazy and use Ramadan as an excuse to not do our daily duties. I think it is very shameful and defeats the purpose of why this holy month has been prescribed for us.
I know in South Africa that for some strange reason, before Ramadan the shops are FULL of Muslim buying food as if they are going to die during the month!!! Some cook the whole day and eat the whole night. I think this is fundamentally not well and it is not a good character to have during this month.
We should continue our duties to our best ability and even work harder during this month. Believe me Allah sees our doings day in and day out.
When it is time for Iftaar, some shove 10 samoosas at once to make up for all the meals that they have missed through out the day!!. Also another issue that defeats the purpose. Our Prophet (SWAS) broke his fast with dates and water. He did this for a reason. Do you think you will be able to do a good Magrib prayer when your gut is shooting past your feet???? No. Breaking fast with water and dates is a logical and healthy way to give energy to the body and at the same suppress the hunger, preventing us from over eating.
Some people actually pick up weight during Ramadan rather than losing weight!! Come on brothers and sisters, Ramadan is more than the food. It is about giving up the very things we desire for the love of Allah.
The best way that I have always broken a fast is by drinking a glassful of water with 7 dates. You will feel the hunger satisfied. After that, you can have some soup and a small meal that will be nutritious for the body.
I know that Ramadan is awfully hard for those that have to do it in summer where the days are longer and Suhoor is before 4:am in the morning. However, to get through these days is by what you eat for Suhoor. Once again, indulge in dates, lots of it in the morning with milk or water. I also love drinking fresh orange juice, because it is packed with natural sugar that will give you energy throughout the day. Another good food for Suhoor is brown bread, because it releases slow energy throughout the day, so you will not feel so much hunger.
One more important thing in Ramadan is to pray like you have never prayed before. Sometimes we just do our 5 daily salat and think we have done ourselves proud. No, speaking to Allah does not just end there. Make Du'a as much as you can. Ask for forgiveness, seek for guidance and may Allah shape us in to good people. May Allah reward us with what no man can ever measure. May we pray for those that we love, those that are our enemies and most of all for those that are in hunger.We must remember those have nothing so pray for Allah's mercy upon us and them. Pray for our mothers and father, our children and those that came before us. Remember only through Prayer can we establish a good relationship between our us and Allah. If we don't speak to Him or read about Him, how are we suppose to know Him? Tell Allah about your pains, your fears, your hardships, your love, your happiness and to ALWAYS give THANKS. Give gratitude! Only through gratitude do we recognize what Allah has blessed us with. So, ALWAYS SAY THANKS!
Finally. I want to wish each and every Muslim a beautiful and blessed Ramadan. May the strength of our fast and prayers ripple through the world. May Allah be please with us and may we think of those that don't have anything.
Ramadan Mubarek Olsun!
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