RAMADAN MUBARAK

By: Asma Shmas
The beginning of Ramadan signals good opportunities and a chance for us to enrich our soul and life to be more closer to our Creator. Muslims wait for this sacred month to fast from sunrise to sunset; breaking it with dates, sweet fruit, and other savoury food items that vary culturally. The veteran fasters will often suggest a ‘hack’ to master fasting by eating a small snack followed by a break to pray and then a hearty meal. The lack of food and water can be daunting but is mastered quickly once your body adjusts. The underlying concept is what people usually promote- control your thoughts, mind, and mood when you do not get what you desire. It teaches people to refrain from losing your temper, rash behavior, dishonesty, and promotes embracing those feelings and channeling it to positive reactions.
It is a crash course in practising what our religion is truly about. It is to diligently read the Quran and absorb the positive and peace-promoting messages within. It is to embrace the lessons on humility and live a life serving others and finding ways to create a better version of yourself.
Magic In The Air
All the communities practicing Ramadan will agree that this month goes beyond the religious significance and into a shared feeling by the hundreds surrounding you to the millions globally. Almost all of us can remember being extremely hungry or thirsty during a particularly busy or stressful day but during this month you share the feeling with your neighbours, friends, family, and people all over the world. Everyone is suffering physically and sometimes mentally together for the same purpose. Many might ask why. Most of us think about the same things during this month and portion our earnings to donate to the needy and overcome all the suffering by feeling a sense of purpose and gratitude for life that only comes with selfless acts of giving. This month should remind us to practice these deeds beyond 30 days and well into the year. Let’s extend this motion to helping others of all religions, race, and backgrounds throughout the year.
Good Outcome
When we practise these good deeds, we end up training ourselves to think about others and practice that into our thoughts daily. There is a long-term outcome that helps our communities and ourselves in finding peace and content. The month of Ramadan is to teach us to think about the less fortunate and their circumstances on a daily basis and our part in alleviating the hardships. This should be practiced year round and with everyone regardless if they share the same religion as us.
In addition to spiritual benefits, we realise the importance of nature in our life. After 16-18 hours of fasting, it is only water that satisfies us. Water, which is scarce and inaccessible to many throughout the world. It is only food made with vegetables and fruit that can bring peace to your body within. A rare sighting for many in countries around the world. We should take this lesson to the level of seriousness it deserves and conserve our resources to what we need and prevent wastefulness that is so prevalent in our homes. It is only money that is able to buy all this produce for us, a piece of paper that is so desperately wanted and important in providing us with the nourishment we require to survive. Let’s put that towards the use which will save our planet, people, and resources so that we prevent hunger and death of our world. It is only the presence of family that gives the food and water the taste that brings us satisfaction. Let’s take this lesson and spend time with the people we love. Reaching Heaven is not only the goal of fasting this month, but realizing the invaluable things we have in life that are irreplaceable and lacking in so many people’s lives around the world. It is about our responsibility towards the world while we are still in it. Info: Asma Shums <asmashums@gmail.com