By Mwanamisi Kasirani
As the month of Ramadan rolls, Muslims are expected to indulge in worship so that by the end of it, they achieve Taqwa (God Consciousness). It is however a time where most women in the typical Muslim families get involved in the kitchen for many hours. Having less time to seek knowledge, reciting the Quran and doing Ibadah.
It is also a time most of us young folks don’t reap much, thanks to the countless times we use scrolling from one social media application to another. At the end we spend hours cooking, scrolling through the internet and spend very little time on Ibadah. Then Ramadan elapses without taking much rewards from it.
“………..Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Al-Baqarah:185)
In fasting we are dealing directly with the Almighty who records our deeds; how terrible it will be if we fail to be loyal worshipers. While we don’t need to bite off more than we can chew at least we need to move one more step closer to Allah.
They say a foot on the stairs beats a word in the air, Ramadan is an action-packed Ibadah; it is not that time to pass the buck with a mere ‘ritual fasting’. Why can’t we honor this important tenet of Islamic faith with a performance far much better than our last our Ramadan.
We can dare for more and take up the challenge of fasting like it will be our last one for life. When we internalize the intensity of this awesome month we shall realize that we have no more time to waste.
Imam Ibn Jawzi, a 10th century Muslim Juris-consult and preacher said: “Every person should be aware of the importance and value of time, so that he wastes none and benefits from every moment of his life to draw nearer and closer to Allah. Start with the best of words (qawl) and actions (amal) then the lesser in virtue and so forth”
So which amal will you go for this Ramadan?
Seeking Knowledge
Growing up I’d see lots of food on my neighbor’s table during iftar, when I came home things were different. The queen of the house had prepared only one meal. As a child I lamented so much. I blamed her for not taking the time to prepare variety of meals. Instead she spent her time working, seeking knowledge while allocating only few hours in the kitchen.
“…………..It is those who have knowledge among His servant that fear Allah (Fatir 35:28)
It is important to know the bold purpose of fasting, it is beyond braving hunger and thirst. The true secret of fasting can only be known through adequate religious knowledge. If you are a mother, kids might not agree with you easily but you have right to knowledge and getting the most out of this month.
After the house chores in the morning, take time pray the Dhuha prayer and then seek knowledge. What do you want to learn this month? Islamic jurisprudence, the history of the prophet (peace be upon him) etc. Get a book on the subject, or use content from Islamic sites such as Islamic Online University and lectures on the subject you would like to learn from YouTube.
Read also: How To Stay Productive In Ramadan
Giving Sadaqa.
As a little girl I didn’t understand why my mother would take from the little we had prepared for iftar and share it with our neighbor. I’d cry and complain about it. Later or in life I learnt that my mother was entrenching the prophetic practice of giving out charity.
Sadaqa is something the sahaba strived to practice and never lost a chance to do it. They gave whatever was in their possession, a date or a piece of it. Voluntary charity remains an action of the pious and the righteous believers.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) who was the most charitable especially in the month of Ramadan, said:
“Every day two Angels come down from Heaven; one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (Angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser” (Bukhari)
Every day before you break your fast, donate food to your poor neighbors. Give out charity on daily basis throughout the month when every little deed is rewarded handsomely. Extend your hand to help others even if it is a morsel of food or a single nice word.
Read also: Why This Ramadan Will Be The Best
Concur our struggles
Ramadan is a chance for us to defeat and concur our struggles. We know what we struggle with in our worship; it could be hijab, drugs, prayer on time, purification of our intentions and maintaining ties of kinship. It is our duty to write those struggles down and find ways to overcome them.
Ramadan is a chance for us to grow strong in faith. Let’s lift our spirit with this Ramadan challenge.
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Mwanamisi Kasirani is a writer, blogger and author of the book How to Win The Start-up Game. She is an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry that makes her the CEO of Yummy Yummy Coastal Dishes. She is a student pursuing a degree in Information Technology at Kabarak University. Mwanamisi is an all time student of Islam and life and it is her pleasure to share whatever she learns.
