Short nights, early mornings and sacrificing the temptation of food and drink whilst working on an empty stomach are just one side of the Ramadhan coin.
On the flip side, favourite popular Ramadhan beverages, lavish Iftar parties and the Eid festival celebrations, lasting for three days, complete the experience of the month.
However, many of us experience the holy month without truly understanding it. Ramadhan is supposed to raise awareness of hunger and poverty by teaching Muslims patience, modesty and appreciation for what we would normally take for granted that those less fortunate than ourselves could only dream of.
Food attracts me towards it like the sticky end of a magnet that is hard to break free from. When Ramadhan arrives, it is like having to free yourself from that forceful magnetic field.
My typical day during this month begins with early morning breakfast to keep me going through the day, followed by pre-dawn prayers and a few more hours of sleep after that, if time permits.
As the day begins to come to a close after sunset, the fast breaks with the call for prayer (Adhaan). All day, the thought of stuffing my face the minute I hear the Adhaan keeps me going. But in reality, when I finally open my mouth to put a date in it to break my fast, the thought at how greedy I have been makes me feel very guilty for those who spend a lifetime working blood and sweat for a piece of bread.
This in turns makes me very thankful for having the many blessings in life that seem immeasurable compared to those who don’t.
Every day seems like a test of self-control and it is this final thought of realisation that determines how well I might have passed.
(Source: Woking News and Mail, 12.08.2010 )
