For the last few years summer has made me be very thankful for an invisible treasure. Known as the Sultan of 11 months, just 28 days have helped me find peace and be so much more grateful then before. If you too are Muslim and believe in Islam, then you too will know I’m writing about the one and only sacred month of Ramadan..
A month where eating and drinking is only allowed before sunrise and after sunset. All the gates of heaven are open and bad spirits and devils tied in chains, the reading of Qur’an and a specific prayer only practiced during the month of Ramadan with Muslims filling Mosques all over the world.
Last year, I was lucky enough to be in Istanbul for the first few days of Ramadan. As a city that never sleeps in Turkey, we would wake to the sound of the a local playing a large drum. For those wanting to begin fasting and wake up and before sunrise, even at that time the sound of the drum was so beautiful. As we walked the streets of this beautiful city, with the Bosphorus bridge stretching across Europe and Asia and stunning historic mosques in our view.
The sound of a large metal ball being thrown and call to night time prayer would signal the opening of fast. I would lose myself in the reading of prayer and be at my most peaceful, to me there is no other sound so beautiful and calming.
This year I’m here in London, fasting and once again learning to appreciate the blessing of food and water and remembering those in third world countries.. Giving to charity and praying for not only me and my family but for all in need of strength and help from God.
So what is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience. It is a time to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God, and put into practice selflessness. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to put forward more prayer than is customary.
Thank you Allah for this blessing and allowing me to keep fast..
On a more lighter note, what happened to the host of this World Cup 2014 on Tuesday night? I only had a quick shower, so I wasn’t expecting to see the score be 4-0!! As I went to clean the bathroom, my mum called “Here’s another one, 5-0”. I couldn’t believe it, five times champion Brazil to be 5-0 down in just half an hour? Wow!!
I don’t even want to write the rest of their humiliation as a team or country. My news feed on Facebook was filled with statuses laughing and surprised at the score. I felt sorry for them, especially those fans clapping with tears rolling down their cheeks.
May they recover from such a shocking match and humiliating performance.
