INTROSPECTION

The beauty of it all

The much awaited auspicious month of Ramazan is finally here. One’s soul warms up at seeing so many constructive changes taking place in just a month; it seems as if it is actually possible to vanquish all the evils once and for all! The blessings of Allah make their way toward us and our routines take a major turn. Praying and reciting the beautiful verses of the Holy Qur’an fills us and our houses with tranquility and triumph - a strange yet majestic combination.

I belong to the ‘night owl’ category which plays the role of an alarm clock for the entire household. We are the ones to wake them for sehri. Now, isn’t that a noble deed, Us folks?

Preparing a delicious sehri that would satisfy the taste buds of all the family members may be tiring, yet it feels great. It bonds up the entire family as they talk about diverse topics while having their early breakfasts, although some members - especially the kids - are too drowsy to indulge in any kind of conversation! The ones who wake up just a few minutes before Fajr (in order to gulp as much water as they can) do not know what pleasurable moments they are missing.

All of us react differently to not being able to have food throughout the day. Some get all snappy and cranky as if they are the only ones fasting while some are astonishingly patient and remain fairly normal. Then there are people who are too exhausted and filled with fatigue to do any chore. The poor souls!

The iftar time - well, who doesn’t enjoy it? When you finally make du’a and break your fast with dates and water. What I have noticed is that many of us like experimenting in Ramazan. Be it crumbly pies or sandwiches, the traditional feasts consisting of pakoras, dahi baray, or fruit chaat with just a tinge of spice or cream (whatever you like) are the best. The chef stands nervously in the corner, wondering if he/she has pitched in the right amount of elements to create the perfect meal for their family and guests. Be it a simple affair or a lavish one, iftar is filled with immense joy followed by the Maghrib prayer. I like going out for a few minutes before praying, so that I can sense the wondrous beauty of nature and marvel at the muted pink streaks in the sky.

And when you see Muslims standing shoulder to shoulder, whether on the intricately patterned prayer mats in the mosques or on clean white sheets spread on the lush green grass, it literally takes your breath away seeing that display of unity and brotherhood.

I have had the chance to spend this holy month in two Muslim countries - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. I have been annoyed to the core by the mosquitoes and boiling heat in Karachi, and driven crazy by the absence of the whole clan in Riyadh; it’s the similarities, however, of the two cities that impress me. There may be cultural differences yet the religious rituals are the same. Whatever the place, it is just the right blend of worship, cultivating good deeds, bonding and feasting.

So, readers, let this Ramazan be the beacon of righteousness for all the other months which are to follow. Devote yourself to God and enjoy joyous moments with family and friends, appetizing feasts and, of course, Eid shopping!