Fasting..an alternative perspective

I am always reluctant to copy and paste on this blog as I want this place to be mostly a collection of my personal thoughts, ideas, writing etc.  But of course recently I have been receiving some outstanding emails from Naeema and they are far too good, to not share. 

Often when people ask you why you are fasting, aside from saying that it is what is ordained by God, some find it difficult to explain Ramadhan beyond this commandment from God.  Certainly it is a commandment from God to adhere to as a Muslim but I always like to think that aside from performing an act because we have been asked to or because it emulates someone or something, I would like to say that I can think deep within me and beyond to realise and understand the benefits of an act, and in this case the benefits and consequences of Ramadhan bring about in you a lot of feelings and emotions that you would ordinarily ignore.  Subhan'Allaah and to put that into words to say Non-Muslims can sometimes be rather difficult especially if they start of with the idea that you are just starving yourself because some God asks you to do so (na'ouozo'bi'Allaah)

Going back to the reason behind this post, I share with you the persepective of a Non-Muslim whom without a doubt took a great challenge to partake in a days fasting to appreciate and understand the deeper concept behind Ramadhan.

Aisha

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I am not a Muslim, but I wanted to experience Ramadan -- a month of fasting from dawn to dusk -- out of curiosity.

Yes, curiosity. Why would anyone punish themselves this way?


What does it feel like? It really did not seem to be that daunting of a task at first.
I did not realize what it means to go without food or water during daylight hours.


I was soon to learn that the days are much longer than we imagine.


I learned is that each day is a gift; to appreciate each minute that goes by.


I learned how often unkind words would slip from my mouth.


I learned what my body feels like when I do not eat or drink for hours on end.


How difficult it is to do the simplest things like speak when your tongue will not move because your mouth is so dry.


I learned how my mind functions when it is deprived of essentials.


I learned that loving a child and having that love returned is pure love.


But mostly what I learned is to be grateful for what we do have, for each other and for this world that we live in.


Any of us could fast for a day.


Mothers, look at your children and imagine what you would feel if you knew they were slowly starving to death and that, just because the sun is setting, you have no way of providing food or clean water for them.


Regardless of our religion or our history, we are mothers and a mother's pain is no different regardless of how we honour God.


To me, Ramadan is an opportunity to look within myself, to cleanse, to purify my thoughts.


I realized just how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things.


My issues became shallow and I was able to better understand my purpose on this earth.


I became acutely aware of how often and easily we think and speak less of others and feel justified in our thoughts.


Judgment of others is unkind and cruel. Is it cruel that God expects this of Muslims?


No, it is a gift that he bestows upon them, a chance for deep reflection.


During this month I would ask that we all look at our Muslim friends, neighbours and co-workers and honour them for their commitment to God.