Every year around this time, I am asked a lot of questions like : what's Ramadan? Why do you have to do it? Ohh not even a sip of water all day long? Isn't it hard for you? This year as it's my first Ramadan spending it abroad, I decided to write this small article about my point of view and understanding of this month. Let's go!
Ramadan is one of the months of the Islamic calendar that follows the lunar sighting each month. It's considered the most holy month for Muslims as they fast. Fasting is the fourth pillar of the five fundamental pillars of Islam.
Why do you have to do it?
As I mentioned earlier, muslims are obligated to fast as part of the Islamic faith pillars. There are a lot of talks about the rationale of fasting, which exists in a lot of religions in different forms. Some people see fasting as a way to sympathize with the less fortunate who are deprived from proper food most of the year. Others find it as a holy order that one has to follow without questioning. For me, fasting is more spiritual, it's about one self not others. In my humble opinion, I fast because it's a way of meditation, a way to detaching yourself from any earthly needs, a way to connect more and listen closely to your soul and inner voice. I believe that each human being has two sides; good angelic one and other bad devilish one. By abstaining from food, drink, sex and other wrong deeds ( like lying, gossiping or cursing) for the whole day, you find yourself detoxing. You feel more connected to your God by praying more, you tend to get closer to your good side than to your bad one. That's in a nutshell my own understanding of fasting and my intention of doing it every year.
Not even water? How do you survive the day while working or studying?
Yes, not even water :D you may find it hard however, it takes me few days to adapt to the new day routine. Think about any habit you started ( ironically let's think of drinking more water during the day) for sure it was hard for you in the beginning to fully commit, you may have found yourself tired and bored but after a few days, it's all embedded in your day and you don't even notice the difference. In addition for me, I started fasting at a young age thanks to my parents who made me practice this and understand it while I was younger. This made it easier for me.
What if you're tired or sick? Are you obliged also to fast?
No. God has allowed us to not fast in some occasions like being sick ( diabetic people or people who suffer from any kind of chronic disease) , being pregnant or menstruating for women , being on the road travelling for a long time. I don't want to go into detailed jurisdictions because it's not my area of expertise but whenever it's dangerous for someone to fast due to any reason, they're allowed to break their fast ( not only allowed but even highly recommended). They can compensate for these days either by fasting it at any other day during the whole year or giving food to the less fortunate for each day they weren't fasting.
In the end, I would like to mention that Ramadan holds very dear memories for me, it's always the time when the whole family gets together regardless of how busy everyone's life is. If we can compare it to a specific atmosphere, it's like Christmas when everyone gets together and feel the warmth of family. May everyone feel that peace and warmth wherever they are.
discoholicmusic
stormborns
dailybridgerton
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
titsay
romaincrisis
