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Ramadan 2009, Day 1
Assalamu-alaikum (may be peace be upon you), the arabic greeting seems to fit with the Ramadan theme.
It's that time of year again, the obligation upon a Muslim to fast during the month of Ramadan. No food. No drink. That's right not even a tiny sip of water (unless it's a matter of life and death of course!).
In preparation for this years fast, my cousin made me an offer I could not refuse. A trip to the restaurant to stuff ourselves with one final Indian dinner until after the 30 days. It was actually quite convenient as we were both quite hungry and had the intention of absolutely arming ourselves to the teeth with greasy, calorie ridden food.
However, as is the case when you're hungry, we ordered half the menu and were quite full after just the starter. The rest was packed up to take home.
That made me think, I have the choice of eating until food filters out of my ears. Millions don't. For this reason, a peppering of excitement for the month ahead arose. Maybe this year Ramadan will be good for me and next time I try to eat for England, I'll think twice.
Ramadan is seen in a number of ways depending on the individual. For some it's a form of pain and for others it's a source of peace. And for a third band it's probably somewhere in between.
For me, when I was young it was more pain than delight. But now as I get older, as I understand the purpose and virtues of fasting, it becomes increasingly easier every year (ironically enough this year is the longest hours of daylight I have experienced in terms of fasting!).
So what is fasting.
The arabic word saum, to my knowledge means to abstain, to refrain from. And the things that one should refrain from are three - eating, drinking and engaging in intimate relationship with ones spouse during daylight hours.
These restrictions create a sense of appreciation for what people have (I have a feeling I will appreciate the earlier Indian some what greatly tomorrow!) and it is especially seen as a way of stepping into the shoes of someone less fortunate than yourself. Practically, you get to experience, to a certain extent, how hundreds of thousand of people feel all over the world every....single....day. Having said that it probably is made easier by the knowledge that a full fat meal is only a couple of hours away, at least for me.
Ramadan targets - no use of foul language, obviously fast (all 30 days!), give zakaat (charity), pray and be appreciative.
Failure is not an option.
Published date:
22/08/2009
Modified date:
25/08/2009
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