Month of Ramadan – Where Disciples of Islam & Endeavors of fulfillment comes first!

One of the most respective concerns in Islam is the Holy Month of Ramadan (Arabic; رمضان), in which The Qur’an was reveled and Majority Muslims fast in this admiration. Muslims value the importance of Ramadan, by showing their deepest concern and deference during this Month. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims fast from daylight hours from dawn to sunset and spent majority of their time in worship and praying to ALLAH 'Subhana Wa Ta'ala.   

Fasting reflects the spiritual and eternal devotion one has, for his/her Lord.  The purpose of fasting is not about abstaining from eating and drinking anything, it is an expression of diverting your heart and soul from all evil or dreadful acts. Ramadan leads to purify one’s souls, mind and heart from every harmful activities and impurities that deceases one’s Faith (Iman).

Live your Life like every day in Ramadan and the Akhirah will become your Eid!

Iman (Arabic: الإيمان‎) defines the believer's faith on his/her Lord and to all aspects of Islam. It denotes the signifance of ALLAH 'Subhana Wa Ta'ala’s with respect His blessings, attributes and heavenly showered and unseen forgiveness. Considering this, Ramadan is also said to be the Month of Patience. As stated & I quote: “The fast of Ramadan, which is the month of patience, and the fast of three days of each month, clean all evils in the heart.” (Musnad, 5:363)

Although a Muslim is well aware of the Islamic beliefs, rituals and teachings, Ramadan is a profound reminder for all Muslims. It teaches us about patience, self-control, sacrifice, respect, generosity and faith. Fasting is not the matter of choice, it is compulsory for Muslims when they reach puberty. But of course, one may leave them, if facing any serious illness, disability or disease. We can contemplate the worth of Ramadan, considering its blessings by a Qur’an Verse: “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 123]

Laylat al-Qadr (Arabic: لیلة القدر‎), is another auspicious principle during Ramadan. It is said to be "the night of power" or 'the night of decree". Qur’an was reveled in this night. On this night, Muslims pray for ALLAH 'Subhana Wa Ta'ala’s mercy and forgiveness. Recitation of Holy Qur’an is done keenly. The Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa alehi wsallam) said: “He who prays on Laylat al-Qadr in faith and expectation of its reward will be forgiven his previous sins.” [Sahih Bukhari]

While summing up the Islamic chronicles on Ramadan, I got the chance to discover the benefits of fasting along with the importance of Dates. Though dates are good for one’s health and diet, research has now scientifically proved that dates are full of carbohydrates, fibers, sugar, magnesium, and potassium. Dates maintain a nutritious balance by retaining many health problems, physical fitness and weight.

Ending up by adding, Ramadan is a month of blessings to enrich our own souls. We should be thankful to our Lord, for selecting us in millions, to gain spiritual nourishment for our heart, mind & soul once more.

The Prophet (sallallähu alaihi wasallam) said, "Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years." [Bukhari Book: 52 No: 93]

Self Defense – Not only for Learning but for Protection- in this Brutal World!

Generally speaking, every Muslim is proud to be born in a Muslim society (Mash-ra).  We are thankful for Allah Al Mighty that He selected us to be born in an Islamic home-land. Although there are many differences like cultural diversity, caste systems, Shia-Sunni disputes, everyone (with either of any societal variation) is happy & proud to say that, “yes I am a Muslim”.

Being a Muslim, every individual has a keen belief that one day, I will be in my grave with all my life’s deeds (either good or bad), I will be answerable to my Lord, of what I did for Him, for my family, for my siblings and so on & so forth. I won’t carry any belongings of my own like car/clothing/accessories/cell phones etc., what is going with me inside my grave is all my life experiences. With this belief, every Muslim is also frightened of the word “Death” (fotegi) & “Grave” (Qaber).

Well for us, this is clearly implicit & understood. But how strange, when you don’t even feel secure when you are buried in your own grave. Especially young girls/women who die cause of any other reason like any disease or mishap. A recent reading, http://is.gd/5H4OjG  made me shivered when I read that a young girl’s dead body was used with the intention of rape. Young girls does not  feel secure when they are alive in this brutal society, they don’t even have a surety of having a peaceful rest in their graves. Deeply saddened!

Another provoking reading, http://is.gd/mYuZPa, where the girl was living with all her fears in her heart. She was threatened to be killed if she said a word about the gang rape. Nobody heard her screaming, no body helped her heartily and she was straightly refused for any protection. How good it would be, if she had some knowledge of self defense? She would have strike back to the gang and shot them down, or give a slap to any annoying gazing.

This is not the end at all; my heartfelt sadden to death when I read: http://is.gd/lNLPa6  a story, where a man tried to rape his pregnant daughter-in-law. While reading I found that, “Almost 30% of women in Pakistan go through a rape or attempted rape at least once in their lives. They do survive. The pain stays, but they go on with their lives.” (http://is.gd/4KS9Jt).

Why don’t we raise our voices on the importance of Self defense training, especially for girls? They should be trained to protect themselves for any awkward situation like this. At least they should be trained the basics. We more or less hear daily on different news bulletins, that the young girl is either dead/murdered/physically tortured/raped or physically misused. To cut the level of cruelty, we should emphasize on the self defense training for our own safety and protection.

The reason of this writing was not to propagate the stories mentioned above, but to share the important of self defense training for girls. It is a huge deterrent for young girls & women of Pakistan. Its learning and practice is a positive gateway for all the young girls, to live in such a brutal society with their chins-up! 

Although such men’s insanity cannot be controlled, at least we can minimize the rate of such sacrifices. Secondly, when media will share any successful story of self defense performed by a girl, it will boost the morale of many other young girls who are not aware of self defense importance. Most probably, many families will encourage their daughters to learn about it. Let’s make it a part of our elementary education. Every school should promote the basic of self defense for its students.

The more they will learn, the more we will have a protected environment in future!

Silence (A Poem)

Silence in air,

Likes a nightmare,

No one is here to care,

I wish someone can hear,

The sharp sound in air,

Violence, terror and bombing everywhere.

Have mercy on the poor Palestinian Children!

Their lives are full of agony, sorrow and pain,

Where there is nothing for them but an agonizing strain,

Of hatred, devastation and humanity slain,

What they have lost and what they have gained?

Might not be possibly retained!

Let’s build a castle of Glee, for those who have restrained,

With an immense feeling of detain and without any complain,

We can share the tears of the Palestinian children,

So that their smiles can return,

And the evil can fully burn,

In that air,

Which will no more be a night mare!

(InSha-ALLAH & Ameen Sum Ameen)