Ramzan, the month of purification and prayers, is coming to an end. It transforms our lives, teaches us valuable lessons of patience, tolerance and above all we understand the velocity of hunger. When I look back, I can feel how important Ramzan is and the memories it brings with it.
It is believed that fasting in the month of Ramzan purifies the soul and prayers after fasting save the faithful from going to hell. So during the month of Ramzan, we lead a pure and holy life. We observe fasts, offer regular prayers in the form of Namaz, read the Qur’an, feed the hungry, and give alms to the poor. I love the overall positivity about the month.
When I was a student, as I reach home after the school time, I will go to mosque for the evening prayer and break the fast there. Each day, there were some special items somebody brought ready at the mosque. The memories of dates taken during that time till comes to my mind as it is a precious item in a village like the one I grew up. After that we spend time in the mosque for prayers.
The prayers will last around 10 pm and will be back home after that. We give gifts to the needy. What we do is we will go their house and handover the things. During the end of Ramzan, we all wait for the happy occasion of the Eid, which is not only a celebration but that brings all the pleasant memories of the childhood day I spent in my village.
The delicious smell of the special dishes made by mother, going to the mosque for prayers with my father, sound of takbeer resonating in the whole house. There were no television at that time in my house. We had a radio and the whole family used to wait for the news to know whether Eid has arrived. Yes, Eid is all about togetherness.
Today Ramzan is all about Iftar parties. Though it brings people together, the quantity of food being wasted when thousands are starving is a cause for great concern. Prophet was always for a simple Iftar. There were occasions when he broke his fast with a single date. It is high time we imbibe the message from the example he set and apply it on our life.
(Author is pro vice-chancellor, Kerala Technological University)
