Ramadan ...It's not just for Break-Fast Anymore!
Saturday, September 19, 2009 Read more → In the name of God, entirely Compassionate, especially Merciful | Peace be with you
In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
Al-Baqarah
2.185
Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.
2.190
Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors.
Al-Nesã´
4.110
If any one does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks God's forgiveness, he will find God Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
Hood (Hûd)
11.90
"But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness."
Fasting and observing Ramadan may be part of the discipline of being a Muslim but it takes more to do that. I haven’t really gotten a chance to write the diary of Ramadan but I thought about my own spirituality and how it affects me. Balance is required of a Muslim to keep the spiritual and reality in check. During the month, it proves to be challenging for me in overall aspect of my life.
A few times during the month of Ramadan, people had yelled at me out of frustrations, pains and aches of Old Age. I tried to be sympathetic but it is hard. I mean I ‘m not yet 80 years old and being ravished with pain and aches. I can see how time had done to people when they don’t take the time to look after themselves. Working in a Non Muslim community, it has ups and downs. It is difficult for me to explain the aspects of Ramadan to those folks. They can’t seemed to grasp the concept of it. I am bearing my own brunt of the Ramadan observations.
Being a Muslim for 4 years has been a journey as I reminisce my early day of being “baby” Muslim. Its been a humbling experience. Amazes me how people today, are now ‘going’ back to Church and still thinks Jesus is “GOD”. Just the other day, a senior was telling me that I have to believe in Christ before I die, after I told her that I am not a Christian. She replied , then what are you ? ….I told her “ Muslim” . She asked me if Muslims believed in Christ.. I told her, in a simple way that she can understand … that Christ is one of the respected messengers. It seemed to satisfy her curiosity. No in-depth discussion. Today, I met couple of Latter day Saints of Jesus Christ also known as Mormons. They called themselves “Missionaries”. Nice boys but one gave me 2 pieces of card for me to read. I wasn’t in the mood to discuss the faith. I was in hurry to grab a bus. I know I should have said something to them but I didn’t want to get into deep discussion about Mormons and Islam.
It was in a way quite rude, but I wanted to get on the bus! It seemed to be more important than talking to those men. I should have kicked myself in the butt for not doing my part.
Being a Muslim poses a challenge for a revert like me. Constantly learning, and re-learning! Living in a WASP society where a Muslim revert learns to how to be humble and faces the challenges of the next 12 months.
2.185
Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.
2.190
Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors.
Al-Nesã´
4.110
If any one does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks God's forgiveness, he will find God Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
Hood (Hûd)
11.90
"But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and loving-kindness."
Fasting and observing Ramadan may be part of the discipline of being a Muslim but it takes more to do that. I haven’t really gotten a chance to write the diary of Ramadan but I thought about my own spirituality and how it affects me. Balance is required of a Muslim to keep the spiritual and reality in check. During the month, it proves to be challenging for me in overall aspect of my life.
A few times during the month of Ramadan, people had yelled at me out of frustrations, pains and aches of Old Age. I tried to be sympathetic but it is hard. I mean I ‘m not yet 80 years old and being ravished with pain and aches. I can see how time had done to people when they don’t take the time to look after themselves. Working in a Non Muslim community, it has ups and downs. It is difficult for me to explain the aspects of Ramadan to those folks. They can’t seemed to grasp the concept of it. I am bearing my own brunt of the Ramadan observations.
Being a Muslim for 4 years has been a journey as I reminisce my early day of being “baby” Muslim. Its been a humbling experience. Amazes me how people today, are now ‘going’ back to Church and still thinks Jesus is “GOD”. Just the other day, a senior was telling me that I have to believe in Christ before I die, after I told her that I am not a Christian. She replied , then what are you ? ….I told her “ Muslim” . She asked me if Muslims believed in Christ.. I told her, in a simple way that she can understand … that Christ is one of the respected messengers. It seemed to satisfy her curiosity. No in-depth discussion. Today, I met couple of Latter day Saints of Jesus Christ also known as Mormons. They called themselves “Missionaries”. Nice boys but one gave me 2 pieces of card for me to read. I wasn’t in the mood to discuss the faith. I was in hurry to grab a bus. I know I should have said something to them but I didn’t want to get into deep discussion about Mormons and Islam.
It was in a way quite rude, but I wanted to get on the bus! It seemed to be more important than talking to those men. I should have kicked myself in the butt for not doing my part.
Being a Muslim poses a challenge for a revert like me. Constantly learning, and re-learning! Living in a WASP society where a Muslim revert learns to how to be humble and faces the challenges of the next 12 months.
Ramadan Kareem and Eid Murburak
Eisha
Peace & respect ★
Eisha
Peace & respect ★
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