The clink of cooking pots wakes one up from the deep sleep at dawn. Mama is busily cooking the dish that would get the family through the day’s fast. The same is replicated in many Muslim homes during the month of Ramadhan (fast). In this period, there is a sudden preparedness of children to partake in an activity they would not like to partake in on other normal days. For the mere fact that people have abandoned their sleep to get prepared for the day’s fast – at such unusual times, was enough to get these children anxious.
This holy month on the Islamic calendar gets lots of people inclined towards actively partaking in the fast as admonitions of the blessings therein are usually preached. Although the appetite one feels for food at dawn is not comparable to that at daytime, the special aroma and saucy touch of Suhoor (Meal before the start of fast) alone is enough to bring that appetite back. For vulnerable children, it is not a mandatory exercise but somewhat encourageable that for a few hours, they can have a feel of this sacred act. This is a learning curve towards preparing them physically, mentally and spiritually.
The long-hour abstinence from all edible products become a standout ritual adult Muslims across the world observe. But for sure, it is not the core essence of keeping the fast. Some people may have their reservations about fasting over a one-month period with fear that it may have detrimental effects on human health – but little do they know of the grave benefits it comes along with. Practically, periodic fasting has proven to be a good exercise for man’s mental well-being.
The ditching of bad habits during this month becomes palpable as one deviates from acts and foods which compromise human health and safety. The faith’s guidance on abstinence and regulation on such acts gradually makes the body acclimated to their absence until harmful addictions are kicked out for good. Even scientific facts have proven that when a routine is holistically repeated for a month, it becomes a habit. Aside from being a great act of spiritual cleansing of the self for Muslims, fasting again acts as a detox for one’s body. By ignoring eating or drinking throughout the day, one’s body is offered a rare chance of detoxifying the digestive system and this goes on throughout the month.
The all awaited event lingers as these fasting periods tick away day by day. Eid (Grand celebration after the month of fast), as it is called is that which is forecasted. The pre-Eid events that got us excited back then as children were when it’s time to lay hands-on brand new stuff. The feeling it comes with is equipollent to an adult getting a new white car as a gift. It sounds a little funny but back then, it was everything to us.
On the eve of Eid, we keep fondling with our new dresses and other accessories in wait for the next day. The day arrives, and no child is reminded to take his or her bath. Bathing is done at unusual times of the morning as we eagerly dawn on our new dresses with confidence. The carefulness of not smutching our dresses becomes a priority. We are marched to the prayer grounds as we walk in a tip-toe fashion en route to our destination.
Each family member holding on to his or her prayer mat heads majestically towards the main street to get a vehicle to the grounds of worship. Jamus and I become hesitant as we all want to be seated just by the car door to spice up the day’s experience while it moves. At the prayer grounds, families are dressed gorgeously in their best outfits, joyfully exchanging pleasantries and ultimately ready to say their prayers.
The Imam of the day gives a sermon to the masses on important topics worth enlightening. On this day, two words that never elude the Imam are “sacrifice and generosity“. This becomes a mantra for the masses as they greet one another by hugging, handshaking and exchanging words of hope among themselves.
The act of sharing continues in homes when foods get distributed to both loved ones and strangers alike.
These moments are and will forever be cherished by us and even till now, Jamus – my twin brother, reminisces about them. When Ramadhan gets nearer, the zeal to participate gets stronger for all the right reasons. These periods have taught us a lot – not just as Muslims but as humans, that giving a helping hand to those who need it most is a blessed course worth embarking.
In these periods of fast, Muslims are again reminded of the pain of hunger as they physically experience it themselves. Experiencing this yearly makes them find reasons to be empathic towards the poor and needy. This act is undoubtedly affirmed by the popular saying,
“He who sits beside fire knows the extent to which it burns him.”
The fasting period intensified the need for Muslims across the world to help those who need help the most – The vulnerable in society. If not all, in most of the world religions, there are similar activities that followers are taught. These acts in one way or the other, have core essences worth emulating – not just in those fasting periods but also through their daily endeavors. Let us try to maximize the practice of such acts in our lives for it, in the long run, becomes of enormous benefit to us.
Peace!
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