The month of blessings
With Ramadan expected to start tomorrow, NADIA KHAN highlights the significance of this holy period.
AS THE holy month of Ramadan commences, Muslims both young and old will embark on a spiritual journey through fasting, reading of the Qu’ran and duas (prayers).
They will also gain an understanding of the lives of those less fortunate.
For Sumayya Riaz Jamal, 20, of Morningside, the fast means Muslims are able to eliminate all evil within themselves, including bad habits and negativity.
“Ramadan is a month of participating in actions and deeds that please our Lord, Allah, alone. Fasting is a compulsory act for any Muslim and forms part of the five pillars of Islam. Most importantly, during this month we try to better understand our holy book, the Qur’an, by reading it often with the translations and explanations,” she said.
The psychology student at Unisa, henna artist and Radio Islam International presenter, said she started fasting at age 5.
“Being the youngest in my family, I was always eager to follow my older siblings in everything they would do, which included fasting. My parents never forced it upon us as children but encouraged us. As a child, there were many temptations, from the aromas of samoosas just before you break your fast or seeing your friends at school eating your favourite chocolate, but as you grow older you realise fasting and Ramadan are not only about staying away from food and drink, but it encourages you to become a better person.”
Jamal said during a fast one could understand the hardships of those less fortunate.
“You are able to understand the suffering of children who roam the streets barefoot and hungry for days or the old man with a broken limb who had not eaten for a week. This is also a time for us to be grateful for the countless bounties and blessings Allah has showered on us and we must make it our duty to help those in need.”
She said a fasting day began at around 4am at her home.
“We freshen up and make our wudhu (cleansing ourselves with water), pray and have Suhoor (early breakfast), which includes cereal, toast, eggs and tea. Having food with slow releasing energy is helpful, so you are covered for the most part of the day.
“The day continues with chores but we remain conscious of fasting, staying righteous and doing good. We then prepare food for Iftaar (meals to break fast). There is no specific food that has to be consumed besides having dates and water.”
Jamal said dates played a major part in the breaking of fast.
“We follow the footsteps of our greatest leader, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He would break his fast with dates as it was something regarded as the fruit of paradise. It is mentioned in the Qur’an 20 times, therefore holds great importance to us.”
For Jamal, the end of the fast is a bitter-sweet moment.
“You want this month to stay around forever as the ecstatic feeling you have all month through is unexplainable, but you are also excited because on Eid you get to adorn your hands with henna, dress up and bond with family and friends over delicious meals.
“There is also the satisfaction of knowing you made it through the entire month, knowing what battles and wars you had to fight simply to combat the evil, which is all worth it at the end.”
For little Yusuf Ebrahim, 6, of Berea, he could not be more excited for the fast to start as he will attempt to complete the entire month.
“I remember last Ramadan my parents and elder brother were fasting and reading the Qur’an and I felt left out,” he said. “The next day, I asked my mother to wake me up for the early morning meal so I could try to fast for one day. I kept it for six hours but then wanted milk, so I broke my fast. But I am definitely going to try again this year.”
His mother, Dr Raeesa Aboobaker, said: “For us, Ramadan is the month that Allah Ta’ala sent the Qur’an down to the Prophet Muhammad (saw), a time for people to help the poor and needy, a time to read more of the Qur’an and give to charity. It is also a time when shaitaan is locked up, so if someone does something bad or wrong, it means they actually did it on purpose and cannot blame it on shaitaan. Ramadan is a time to show everyone how good you can be.”
Describing a fasting day, Aboobaker said she got up early to make her family a delicious but healthy meal. “If the meal is too sweet, you can get hungry quicker. So we have bananas and porridge. We will break fast with dates and water, then we pray before supper.”
Ebrahim, his older brother and dad then go to the masjid for Taraweeh (recitations). The little boy said at the end of the fast, he looked forward to Eid as he received many presents.
“We also visit our grandparents and great-grandparents who also give us presents and I get to see all my cousins.”
Nizam Rehman, of Merebank, started fasting at age 5 and has kept his fast every year since.
The 70-year-old said: “During our fast, we create a strong bond with Allah and learn that our good actions are multiplied a hundred times more in Ramadan, from the reward of prayers to reward of charity.
“We also have the opportunity to allow the words of Allah in the Qur’an to resonate within us and try to act upon the words and live by them as best we can. Charity is a major factor during this month, which includes the distribution of haleem (stew). Ramadan holds a great significance as it is all about sharing, piety, unity and forgiveness.”