WATCHING my family having a whale of a time while shopping for Eid is great, but there is a deep sorrow inside me. I feel content seeing their gleeful faces, but at the same time I'm down in the mouth. I feel a throbbing sensation in my throat on realizing that Ramadan will leave us in a few days. Only a few days ago, we all were united and were cheered to welcome Ramadan with full spirit. There was a joy in ushering in the holy month of Ramadan. A joy that I can never forget. Ramadan is indeed a month of mercy. I feel really grateful upon the arrival of this month. Everything about Ramadan is special. There is actually fun in feeding the poor. Going for taraweeh (the night prayer performed in Ramadan) is like a feather on a hat. The unison of Muslims, irrespective of their caste, color, health and wealth in standing up together for Allah and praying long qiyam is so beautiful to see. Oh, how can I not mention the pangs of hunger while fasting! They remind me of how the poor survive in various parts of the world with little food. Ramadan is not just a month. It's a lesson for us to learn how to endure, to learn how to share and care and to realize that we have the ability to keep ourselves away from our shortcomings and weaknesses. Allah (The Exalted) has revealed a beautiful verse regarding Ramadan. I'm sure that we all know it since it is recited by Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais on the first day of Ramadan. Only a few days ago, when I was at the table waiting for the breaking of the fast at Maghreb, I heard him recite the same verse. And that verse made my hair rise. It is definitely a hair-raising verse. "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Holy Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185) The Holy Qur'an was revealed for our betterment and for guiding ourselves to the straight path. In it is a cure. A cure for a dead and dry heart that has become impassive due to neglecting our duties which we owe to our Lord. In hindsight, it would be better for us to reap the benefits in this holy month by collecting as many good deeds as we can rather than regretting later for not having done so. So my dear brothers and sisters in Islam, I appeal to you to make the best use of this time. Remember that for some of us this Ramadan may be a new lease of life and for others it may be their last Ramadan. I pray to Allah, that He grant us longevity so that we experience Ramadan every year with the same joy and glee. Aameen
