self-purification, sacrifice andpure devotion to Allaah. Even the
Muslim among us that would never bother about moon sighting, prayer in
the wee hours of the night and reading the whole Quran within four
weeks,gears up to embrace the spirit of this month.
Having spent the past Ramadan in the most beloved of lands to Allaah,
I felt utterly lucky to accept dates from a smiling sister who I had
never met and will probably never see again, and savor the loudAmeens
of my family of thousands of Muslims that the entire Al-Masjid
Al-Haraam )Sacred House in Makkah( resounded to.It was overwhelming to
observe hordes of peopleheading in one direction for Taraaweeh
)optional night prayers(. The Sacred House, ever the bustling place,
was full ofpeople breaking their fast, giving in charity, performing
'Umrah)Minor pilgrimage( and drinking Zamzam water. It has been a
supreme experience.
Yes, I am sure you know a 'but' is forthcoming. I hate to say what I
will, perhaps because I do notwish to taint the beauty of the month
that we have conjured up. But, even in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, I could
not help but sadly wonder if Ramadan came and went, and we lost out.
For while I happily observed people flockingfor prayer, I also heard
people loudly fighting over a sitting place in theHouse of Allaah.
Instead of taking care of the Masjid like our own homes, it was often
left dirty as people failed to clean up after themselves. There was a
lot of generosity going around, but some of our Muslim brothers and
sisters are dying and suffering in many places around the world. There
was immense sharing, but rampant greed. Stores and hotels upped the
ante and doubled their asking prices.
Sure, all this gave a Makkan Ramadan a unique edge, no less, but I was
left wanting for thetrue spirit of Ramadan; offaith, unity and
patience,which brings about change within us that lasts more than just
one month.
Yet, every year, it is the same story in these sacred grounds, as well
as the rest of the Muslim world. What used to be a month of victory
since Islam came, has started to seem no different from our recent
history, with Muslim infighting, non-Muslims debasing our Prophetand
more failures. Rather than cherishing each moment of these invaluable
days, we cannot wait for 'Eed to don our new clothes. And instead of
fasting as a way of showing solidarity with the hungry, we plan
haute-cuisine Iftaars )fast-breaking meals(. Hearingof special Ramadan
TV shows and seasonal sales in shopping centers, it is difficult to
say if the corporations are more guilty or their clients.
The essence of Ramadan is becoming obscure; perhaps this is what the
Prophetimplied by saying:"Many a fasting person gains nothing from his
fasting but thirst, and many a personwho stands )in prayer( gets
nothing from his standing but wakefulness."]Ibn Maajah[
As always taught by scholars and in books and articles, Ramadan is not
just about the customary fasts and prayers; it is a month in which
Allaah has hidden a night which is better than a thousand months)in
virtue and reward(, sothat we make the effort every night to catch it.
Further, it is not about worshipping Allaah, The Most Exalted, and
practicing Islam only on one night or in one month, but Ramadan is
actually a catalyst for inner and outer change that lasts a lifetime,
for Allaah has no need for the one who fasts but does not leave evil
talk oraction. ]Al-Bukhaari[
Ramadan, in itself, is a month set above all by itsdistinctiveness as
days of fasting and nights of prayers, as actually practiced
everywhere. But, if we stay on our current path, not truly
appreciating the lessons of this month, by reducing it to a
conventional and commercialized holiday season, we may retain
itsgoodness, but risk losing the very spirit of Ramadan.
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