Buzberry

A friend has just emailed me her frustration on how Ramadan is nowadays perceived amongst average people she sees around her. I share the same feelings with her, if not frustration too. She quotes ” It’s annoying how we could forget all this and instead focus on fancy kaftans, dining silverware, extreme desserts, tv shows, and late curfews..” You get the whole image and I can even find space to add: gatherings that last till dawn and sleeping till dusk. Ramadan means a lot more, and by referring to “this”, my friend meant:

“ Fasting means not only abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse during the day but also restraining the tongue, the eye, the ear, the heart and mind from indulging in unlawful acts that render the fast worthless. Prophet Mohammad (PPBH) said: Many a man who fasts obtaining nothing from his fasting but his thirst, and many a man who prays during the night and obtains nothing from his prayers but wakefulness. (At-Tirmithiyy Hadith, No. 1989). In contrast, the rewards of fasting are bountiful. The Prophet said: Whoever observes fast during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, all his past sins will be forgiven. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting). “

- Dr. Aziz Khalil explains what’s Ramadan (2005): Article here

Don’t waste it.

Alvaro