Ramadhan al Mubarak

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwa." [Al Qur'an: Al-Baqarah (The Cow):183]

If there is one word that could describe how I feel about Ramadhan, it is wonderful. There is a remarkable SLOWDOWN in almost all aspects of my life throughout this holy month. And I don't mean this in a negative way.
The most obvious SLOWDOWN is of course in my diet. Getting up before dawn is a must for me even if it means gulping down a glass of water and making a hasty jump back to bed. Buka puasa (alone) is done in moderation. Normally, a plate of fried noodles or nasi kerabu plus a glass of carrot juice would suffice.
Another SLOWDOWN is in the time I spend finishing my day-to-day tasks in the office. Since long lunches and gym trips are scraped, I find that I'm able to finish up my reading, grading, and preparing on time and thus can leave early.
The next SLOWDOWN is in worldly activities since Ramadhan requires us to refrain from obscene and irreligious feelings, sights and sounds. I'm not so sure to what extent am I able to abstain from all these, but I know that this slowdown induces none other than a comfortable feeling of peace and calm in me throughout the month.
A SLOWDOWN during Ramadhan is indeed wonderful. Praise be to Allah; The Knower of Subtleties, The Most Beneficent and The Source of All Goodness.

Originally posted on http://izzyz7.reciter.com on 26 September 2007


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