Dates have arrived in the markets, snacks are waiting to be prepared for the Iftaar and little kids are counting days to Eid for collecting Eidi. Not just kids, even ladies are excited as they go shopping in the streets for the auspicious occasion of Eid-u-fitr, almost every evening.
The holy month of Ramzan (or Ramadan) has knocked the doors of Muslim fellows all over the world. Around 1.5 billion Muslim followers have geared up to observe Roza (fast), seeking forgiveness for their sins and blessings for their future, from the almighty, Allah.
While preparations in India are all set to observe the fasts in the hot months of May-June, many youngsters today are unable to keep fasts. The reasons may include their hectic job schedule, travelling or academics.
But the orthodox people might take pains to consider it as jeopardizing Islam.
Jeopardizing? Yes. To them, it is losing one’s imaan (character). Hence, it is putting Islam in to danger. It seems like they have forgotten the actual purpose of Ramzan – self-control, inter-faith harmony and endurance. And it doesn’t come from mere fasting.
Roza is no ordinary fast. It is characterised by the non-consumption of food, water, sex, alcohol, violence and other sinful activities. During the fasting, one understands the pain, the sufferings and the circumstances that people who don’t have sufficient endure. Also, one discovers how beautiful life is without all those negative energies lingering around.
Yet again, to keep the fast or not to keep the fast is a matter of personal choice and should remain so. One doesn’t need to pretend by keeping fast if one is out of control and intolerant for the rest of the year. The understanding must last for the whole year, with or without fasting.
One might be facing one’s own challenges.
During Ramzan, one must not become a nuisance for others. The holy month is a reminder to abstain from violence, abuse, intoxication and intimacy. It is the month that asks people to be human beings, following the spirit of insaaniyat.
The spirit which urges you to be patient, to control your anger, to cut down your selfishness, to reduce your desires and to spread happiness. The spirit which commands you to respect one another, to stop discrimination and to share whatever you have.
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If you do this, you already have your imaan right. And when you have your imaan right, you must spend your time in prayers. Because there is nothing you cannot seek from the Almighty, Allah.
Ask for anything and everything from Allah.
Ask for accomplishments, ask for success, ask for a place in heaven. Or otherwise, ask for lavish houses, luxury cars, sparkling dresses and grand celebrations. But all this and beyond this should be asked during Ramzan.
Keep buying groceries, making regular trips to the tailors to get your Eid outfits stitched, setting up their houses, planning iftar parties and praying to Allah.
Don’t fear if you don’t keep fasts. But do fear if you forget what Ramzan means.
Ramzan Mubarak!