Ramadhan Rehab
Last Friday I happened to be cooking, as one does, and listening to the Jummah bayaan, over the receiver at the same time. (great multi tasker...yeah right)
When the Imaam began his talk, he didn't sound his usual upbeat self; he sounded slightly deflated.
"You can tell this guys got 'roza ", I said to my mum, happy I wasn't the only anti social around during Ramadhan. Little did I know the reason he was sounding so down, was the actual subject of his talk.
I won't go into the exact details of the talk , but the main point was the shock he had felt upon seeing Muslims, openly eating and drinking during Ramadhan. (As in openly eating outside in the shops). Not ONLY this but people casually asking each if they are fasting or not, really blasie about the whole thing, as if it is not a well known necessity upon us all.
During his speech he did mention that back home( in this case, Africa) he had never seen this behaviour; All people fasted during Ramadhan.( Americans feel free to say 'period')Young and old, children included.
This got me thinking that maybe he hadn't been exposed to them kind of people previously. Surely, it cant be isolated to the U.K., in this country we too have alot of good upright people, and children who are keen to fast - surely this can't be just a problem we "British Muslims" have. Anyway, the topic did linger on my mind for a while.
Then, a few days ago, my hubby was driving us home, we happened to pass by some guys who were in their car- local Muslim lads. I actually did a double take, and asked my hubby if they were definitely Muslims; because they were calmly sitting in the car swigging down some drink. I was really shocked, it's one thing hearing that a lot of people don't fast etc, but its another thing seeing it for yourself.
I 'm not sharing this with you to say "look at us fasting, we're definitely better than them", because who am I to judge. We should always hate the sin and not the sinner. There could be a number of reasons for them not to be fasting( could be that time of the month)
The main point I want to question is, Why is this happening? Is this is a widespread problem? Something needs to be done about it.
The main purpose of Ramadhaan is for us to build our spiritual selves, by leaving the mundane, eating drinking etc that we normally do every day. Check into rehab for a bit people- your soul, mine included needs it .A few days of the year, to reconnect with our lord and spend some time getting back on track. This is a gift!
Allah has promised us so much reward for Ibaadah and fasting in Ramadhan. The ( now turning into) cliché, that goes around, "make the most of the sale during Ramdhan" it's true, and hits the nail straight on the head!
When the Imaam began his talk, he didn't sound his usual upbeat self; he sounded slightly deflated.
"You can tell this guys got 'roza ", I said to my mum, happy I wasn't the only anti social around during Ramadhan. Little did I know the reason he was sounding so down, was the actual subject of his talk.
I won't go into the exact details of the talk , but the main point was the shock he had felt upon seeing Muslims, openly eating and drinking during Ramadhan. (As in openly eating outside in the shops). Not ONLY this but people casually asking each if they are fasting or not, really blasie about the whole thing, as if it is not a well known necessity upon us all.
During his speech he did mention that back home( in this case, Africa) he had never seen this behaviour; All people fasted during Ramadhan.( Americans feel free to say 'period')Young and old, children included.
This got me thinking that maybe he hadn't been exposed to them kind of people previously. Surely, it cant be isolated to the U.K., in this country we too have alot of good upright people, and children who are keen to fast - surely this can't be just a problem we "British Muslims" have. Anyway, the topic did linger on my mind for a while.
Then, a few days ago, my hubby was driving us home, we happened to pass by some guys who were in their car- local Muslim lads. I actually did a double take, and asked my hubby if they were definitely Muslims; because they were calmly sitting in the car swigging down some drink. I was really shocked, it's one thing hearing that a lot of people don't fast etc, but its another thing seeing it for yourself.
I 'm not sharing this with you to say "look at us fasting, we're definitely better than them", because who am I to judge. We should always hate the sin and not the sinner. There could be a number of reasons for them not to be fasting( could be that time of the month)
The main point I want to question is, Why is this happening? Is this is a widespread problem? Something needs to be done about it.
The main purpose of Ramadhaan is for us to build our spiritual selves, by leaving the mundane, eating drinking etc that we normally do every day. Check into rehab for a bit people- your soul, mine included needs it .A few days of the year, to reconnect with our lord and spend some time getting back on track. This is a gift!
Allah has promised us so much reward for Ibaadah and fasting in Ramadhan. The ( now turning into) cliché, that goes around, "make the most of the sale during Ramdhan" it's true, and hits the nail straight on the head!
Abu Hurayrah relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, "My Ummah were given five things for Ramadhaan which were not given to anyone except them. For them, the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more sweeter to Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons until they break their fast. Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday and then says (to it), "The time is near when faithful servants shall cast aside the great trials of the world and come to you". In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaytaan is chained so as not to reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months besides Ramadhaan. On the last night of Ramadhaan they are forgiven".
The Sahaabah R.A. thereupon enquired, "0 Messenger of Allah, is that last night Laylatul Qadr? Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "No. But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his service".
Reported by Ahmad, Bazzaar and Bayhaqi
I pray that Allah guide us all to goodness, and help us appreciate this gift of Ramdhaan that Allah has blessed us with.
having a slight rant
faatima
I pray that Allah guide us all to goodness, and help us appreciate this gift of Ramdhaan that Allah has blessed us with.
having a slight rant
faatima
my dad says this is quite an issue..where he works muslims come in at lunch time to get food and he asks them sometimes why arent you fasting and they say stuff like oh uncle i have to work all day (like the rest of the world doesnt) blah blah blah, also he goes when they come on a normal day theyll do salaam but in ramadhan they dont..i assume so you dont realise their muslim and maybe mistake him for another faith...pretty sad
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