We here at Islam-Hacks would just like to wish you Eid Mubarak! Ramadan is already over but the lessons learned do not have to be forgotten simply because one no longer has to fast. May the benefits that you achieved during Ramadan carry onto the year ahead and may Allah (SWT) accept our fasts. Ameen.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
As Ramadan draws to an close...
As Ramadan draws to a close, it is worthwhile remembering the reasons why we fast in the first place. Long after the days of fasting have passed us by, the lessons we learned during this month should stay with us.
As cliched as it may sound, Ramadan really and truly is the one month that you can somewhat experience what life for a poor person may be like. Oftentimes when we are faced with difficulties, we tend to think that we have the worst lot on the planet and that other people have it so much better. Even though you may have heard it multiple times before, it really is true that there are millions more people who have it worse than you.
Here in Canada, we are blessed with plentiful access to fresh water. We can run our faucets for as long as we would like without any real regard for how much we use. Halfway around the world or even in your own neighbourhood, there is a person who would love this same luxury of not having to worry about the quantity of water available to him/her. In the same way, when we break our fast, many of us scarf down tremendous amounts of food to make up for the long fasting hours. For some people, Iftaar is a luxury they can not have.
I came across this randomly while surfing the web but it should paint a picture of the reality we in North America may never see: 'A leading Mufti in Saudi Arabia was brought to tears on live tv when he received a question from Somalia: “Is my fast accepted if we have no Suhoor or Iftaar?”'
Unfortunately, this is the reality of far too many people in this world. This is why even though the fasts may have been hard, it is important to remain mindful of the misery of the poor who can not even seek an escape from their difficulties. Most of us, regardless of what our problems may be, have the opportunity for a change and hope. The enormous difficulties facing other people all around the world and even within your own city can seem insurmountable and it can be difficult not to slip into despair about a change ever coming. Even if your circumstances right now seem challenging, if you have the opportunity for change, be grateful for it. For a lot of people in this world, even the hope of change can be a dream they may never realize.
So even after Ramadan ends, let not the humility it brought you leave in the months to come. Be aware of your fellow man. Be conscious of the suffering in this world and let it soften your heart and make you grateful for all the blessings you have been given, no matter what your situation in life is.
As cliched as it may sound, Ramadan really and truly is the one month that you can somewhat experience what life for a poor person may be like. Oftentimes when we are faced with difficulties, we tend to think that we have the worst lot on the planet and that other people have it so much better. Even though you may have heard it multiple times before, it really is true that there are millions more people who have it worse than you.
Here in Canada, we are blessed with plentiful access to fresh water. We can run our faucets for as long as we would like without any real regard for how much we use. Halfway around the world or even in your own neighbourhood, there is a person who would love this same luxury of not having to worry about the quantity of water available to him/her. In the same way, when we break our fast, many of us scarf down tremendous amounts of food to make up for the long fasting hours. For some people, Iftaar is a luxury they can not have.
I came across this randomly while surfing the web but it should paint a picture of the reality we in North America may never see: 'A leading Mufti in Saudi Arabia was brought to tears on live tv when he received a question from Somalia: “Is my fast accepted if we have no Suhoor or Iftaar?”'
Unfortunately, this is the reality of far too many people in this world. This is why even though the fasts may have been hard, it is important to remain mindful of the misery of the poor who can not even seek an escape from their difficulties. Most of us, regardless of what our problems may be, have the opportunity for a change and hope. The enormous difficulties facing other people all around the world and even within your own city can seem insurmountable and it can be difficult not to slip into despair about a change ever coming. Even if your circumstances right now seem challenging, if you have the opportunity for change, be grateful for it. For a lot of people in this world, even the hope of change can be a dream they may never realize.
So even after Ramadan ends, let not the humility it brought you leave in the months to come. Be aware of your fellow man. Be conscious of the suffering in this world and let it soften your heart and make you grateful for all the blessings you have been given, no matter what your situation in life is.
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