A Special Ramadan

Greetings, dearest friends!

A few days before Ramadan, I was in the shower when the thought of fasting alongside my Muslim friends during the most holy month in Islam occured to me. I asked one of my friends for his opinion and he encouraged me to do so. I did some research on the Internet and learnt the basics of Ramadan fasting.

As a Christian, I am not obligated to fast during Ramadan but I still decided to do it and promised God in prayer to fast fully because I crave to become closer to Muslims. I very much wanted to do what they are doing and experience what they’re experiencing because like so, I’ll get to know and understand them even if it’s just a bit.

Another thing I’d like to point out is what Jesus taught us about fasting in the scriptures Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV).

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

I’d occassionally tell my friends or people that I’m fasting during Ramadan, because a big part of me doing so is to show fellowship to my fellow Muslis.

 

Along the way, I have enjoyed many happy moments and I’d learnt plenty of lessons too. I’ll start off with some Ramadan happy moments I’ve enjoyed.

Learning and growing spiritually are both very important aspects of Ramadan, but for this year’s Ramadan I focused more on enjoying sweet, wholesome moments between my Muslim friends and I.

One thing I really enjoyed was asking my friends what they’re having for berbuka and wishing each other a happy Iftar. This simple greeting and interaction meant a lot to me and brought me a lot of joy. It was also one of the major reasons why I continued to fast for the whole month when I lack the strength to continue.

 

I didn’t know about kurma until around the last ten days of Ramadan. It wasn’t on any of the articles I’d read but thinking back, I remember some of my friends attempting to tell me about it. They told me something about dates and I was like “eww I hate dates” then the convo changed.

 

A teacher in school heard that I was fasting, so she gifted me a box of kurma. My friend told me to eat 1 to 3 kurmas for breaking fast. I like how the kurma tastes sweet and refreshing in my mouth. I was also very touched by my teacher’s gesture.

 

I like how I would think about all the wonderful food and cuisines God has blessed us with and plan what to eat for Iftar that day.

 

Also, exercising while you’re fasting (especially in the afternoons) will make you feel like a beast.

This football pro, Paul Pogba, did not break fast too while playing football. He broke fast after the match.
https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-reactions-paul-pogba-didnt-break-ramadan-fast-during-masterclass-vs-roma-20210430

Now, I will talk about 3 real and interesting lessons I’ve learnt during the Ramadan.

From my perspective, I fast having full knowledge that I’ll have sufficient food and drink later, but the underprivileged never know if they’ll have enough food and water to help them get through today or tomorrow and they always get anxious about it. This thought made me have great compassion on them and I’d earnestly pray to God about this matter.

I think everyone who fasted would have a taste of what it feels like first-hand. This will surely help us to be more aware of not wasting any resources and never waste food and water.

 

Next, I learnt to be contend with what I have instead of complaining about not having stuff. I shouldn’t grumble about not having much money or complain about my life. I should rejoice and give thanks for what God has blessed me with instead, like how I have food and water and a shelter above my head everyday.

 

Theh last lesson that I’m going to share with you guys is a big one for me. I learnt how to shut my big mouth up more often.

 

During the first few days of Ramadan, I bickered with my family members everyday in the morning and it was agonizing because I was thristing so much. I realized that all my bickerings have done no good to us, but they have brought us chaos and conflicts instead.

 

By shutting up, I realised that most bickerings last for a very short period of time compared to the ones I’d contributed in. I cut down on meaningless chatter too and do my best not to speak when it’s not needed (I still social tho). There’s more peace in the house now that I have stopped pouring fuel on the fire everytime a fight breaks out.

 

This Ramadan has changed me for the better and fasting during Ramadan (first time!) was a very awesome journey. I’m glad that God has let me experience all of this and taught me a lot of lessons too.

Eid Mubarak, maaf zahir dan batin all!