Anyway, I KNOW! It's been weeks since I actually had the time to sit down an bother to type out this long-awaited post (not that anyone is waiting ... haha!). I've decided to have this post to remind each and everyone of us that ... Ramadan is just around the corner! And it's coming fast. Generally, I know I will get three types of response when I say that.
1. Full of dreadfulness and misery: "Alaaaa .... Must fast again. Cannot study laaa like this. My body will feel soooo weak that I can't even get out of bed!" "Alaa, must zakat again!"
Okay okay. I admit, I used to be like that and I know I will be like that during some parts of this coming Ramadan (I can predict because I know myself really well). Sometimes we are so obsessed with the fact that we have to fast, and not having the energy to enable us to do the activities we normally do, that we forget the true meaning of Ramadan.
Ramadan is synonymous to fast. True, but that's not entirely true. In fact, Ramadan is a month of barakah. A month of opportunity I would say. This is the best time for us to overcome our bad habit (of eating too much that it becomes a health hazard, of smoking, gambling, zina, etc.) because when one fasts, his eyes, mind, hands, etc. fast too. It's not just the mouth and stomach.
The 'weakness' within an individual is largely psychological. If you convince yourself that this 'no food for atmost 14 hours = no energy = weak = cannot do work' equation is true, you're in for some serious brainwash.
In fact, scientists have proven that fasting for at most 14 months would in fact, allow you to experience deep sleep. In other words, you sleep more soundly, comfortably, easily in the nights of Ramadan. Now that explains why we rarely feel tired despite sleeping later than usual and waking up super early. Well. God knows and cares for his creations.
"Our Lord, do not burden us beyond what we have the power, the strength, to bear, of obligations and trials"
Al-Baqarah: 286
So indeed, the only reason why we fast is because of the simple fact that GOD LOVES US! Yet, we find Ramadan a pain more than a pleasure. Let's change our mindset on Ramadan and InsyaAllah we will benefit the most from it.
I am currently holding on to this magazine which Brother Badawi (yesh, he's our new VP yayy!) has kindly lent me this Islamic magazine 'AlJumuah'. You can find out more through this link: http://www.aljumuah.com/. I enjoyed reading the articles. There's this section on Ramadan which I found impressive and impactful. If you do not wish to subscribe, feel free to inform myself or Brother Badawi himself. He'd be glad to led it to you. He's super nice.
I still don't get it why some 'take a break' from their weekly classes/sessions because it's Ramadan. And I thought sitting through an hour seeking 'ilm is way better than the many hours of dhikrs. So why are people still persistent in 'closing temporarily' these classes? Shrugs. Anyone?
2. Neutral reaction. "Ramadan again? So? I still fast and do my Tarawih prayers. Why should I go beyond?"
I can safely say I'm largely like that. That is why I need people around me to tell me that "heyy, there's more to Ramadan than just that you know!". I already know it in 'theory' but to practice it, the best way to learn is definitely not through making mistakes (but you do learnt most from it) but rather from picking up good habits of the people around us.
3. Jumps with joy upon hearing the word 'Ramadan'. "MasyaAllah! I can't believe that I get to see and experience another Ramadan!".
I've not reached this stage yet. It's still developing within me. I look forward less to Eid but more of the Tarawih. Not because I will get to lose weight from all the 'tunggang-tonggek' but it proves to be a challenge for myself. I will have to overcome all my insincerities to ensure that my ibadah are all 'accepted' by God.
But then again, I find that Ramadan is being misunderstood at times. Some will only elevate their spirituality only in Ramadan but in other months .... Who knows. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone but I strongly feel that our iman, taqwa should also be at its optimum throughout our lives i.e. for all 12 months from Muharram to Zulhijjah and so forth. Perhaps in Ramadan, we have the opportunity to do more i.e. through tarawih. But that only increases our ibadah whereas for our taqwa and iman, it should be at its optimum as always.
I know that I am in no position to make such remarks and crude comments. Who am I to talk like some revered Ustaz or Ulama' right? But what I do know is that, I need help from everyone to better myself. It's easier for people to do so when they are together. Positive peer influence, I shall say, is most effective for me. So let us all do this together and attain the most from this coming Ramadan.
Like what many would say, who knows this Ramadan might very well be your last. And just to remind you, we're not even in Ramadan just yet. So what have we done to salvage ourselves from the fury of hellfire? Only we know. But of course, Allah swt knows better.
Wassalaam.
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