I thought I would write a little but about the holy month of Ramadan and the joys it has bought into my life.
Monday (6 May 2019 ) marks the start of the Holy month of Ramdan. Ramadan is the month in which the Islamic Holy book the Quran was sent down to help us live a better way of life.
The Quran says:
The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.
During the fasting month of Ramadan we abstain from drinking, eating and no naughty business during the hours of sunlight (from 3am till 9pm approx)
Words such as fasting and abstaining offer a somewhat negative connotation towards the month of Ramadan, it assumes that in order to gain we need to give up.
Yes of course its difficult especially as life has to carry on as normal ; with family life , work etc Ramdan is tough going we are fatigued, and sleep deprived, we are dehydrated and yes a little grumpy. During this period rather than spending most of our time thinking about food, we have more time to to devote on prayers, study of the Quoran, and practising gratitude and charity.
There are some exemptions from fasting especially if you are diabetic, suffer from any maladies, pregnant, menstruating, breastfeeding and are elderly.
I do find it tough of course especially teaching Yoga and Pilates and suffering from migraines but at the same time it does give me a chance to stop thinking about my belly and to express my gratitude. Its a blessing and an honor to be able to share Ramadan with other Muslims sharing food and prayers and kindness to all.
For me its a wonderful time to read and pray, to think a little less about the belly but be grateful to have been blessed to provide myself with the means to feed myself and think about those who do not have.
Ramadan its not what we give up rather what we gain . Its a blessing and an honor to be able to share Ramadan with other Muslims sharing food and prayers and kindness.
It is a wonderful time when the senses slow down so the body and mind are calmer, and we can practice patience, contemplation and sincerity.
Of course we don’t need to have a belief in the Divine to be grateful but today rather than asking for something we need, be grateful for what we have.
