I look forward to the Ramadan, because I am able to exclusively focus on my spiritual growth and relationship with my creator. It is not just about fasting (which I love too as it makes me feel so good to wake up super early to sahoor , reflect, pray subuh smack on time and to continue with the rest of the day in quiet reflection, followed by buka puasa with the family) ... but it is also the time when I challenge myself to a new spiritual goal.
I also commit one juz per day and it's been five years now -- each time I read my Quran, I always find something new that amazes me. Alhamdulillah.
=)
My sister and her husband are currently living with me, and during the Holy Month, we try and break fast together -- you'd think us living under the same roof, this should be a regular thing, right? (having dinner together) -- but not so. We have hectic careers but during the Holy Month, we try and make it a point to do so. They are non-muslims, but they respect our faith and are discreet when they do come into the kitchen to eat. I don't impose any rules ... but they do it out of respect.
And that is just it.
They do it out of respect. Even if they had eaten in front of us whilst we are still observing fast, I won't go screaming my head off or feel offended. I actually encourage them to continue eating in front of us or doing things as per normal days -- because fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drinks, but abstaining from evil thoughts, words and actions. It's about reflection and strengthening your relationship with God. It's about discipline and self constraint.
Which leads me to this.
I don't think it's nice for some of my moslem counterparts to get upset/offended when someone eats in front of them. I know a non-muslim friend of mine who got screamed at on her social media for posting a "I want to eat cendol" status update. Really?
And what about a tweet that went viral recently 'suggesting' non-muslims to schedule their dinners to after buka puasa time, so seats during buka time are not 'taken'.
Hmmm.
Perhaps I should write about this for my next Different Spin column.
Time to catch up on my Juz's.
Salam Ramadan...
xoxo
D
I also commit one juz per day and it's been five years now -- each time I read my Quran, I always find something new that amazes me. Alhamdulillah.
=)
My sister and her husband are currently living with me, and during the Holy Month, we try and break fast together -- you'd think us living under the same roof, this should be a regular thing, right? (having dinner together) -- but not so. We have hectic careers but during the Holy Month, we try and make it a point to do so. They are non-muslims, but they respect our faith and are discreet when they do come into the kitchen to eat. I don't impose any rules ... but they do it out of respect.
And that is just it.
They do it out of respect. Even if they had eaten in front of us whilst we are still observing fast, I won't go screaming my head off or feel offended. I actually encourage them to continue eating in front of us or doing things as per normal days -- because fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drinks, but abstaining from evil thoughts, words and actions. It's about reflection and strengthening your relationship with God. It's about discipline and self constraint.
Which leads me to this.
I don't think it's nice for some of my moslem counterparts to get upset/offended when someone eats in front of them. I know a non-muslim friend of mine who got screamed at on her social media for posting a "I want to eat cendol" status update. Really?
And what about a tweet that went viral recently 'suggesting' non-muslims to schedule their dinners to after buka puasa time, so seats during buka time are not 'taken'.
Hmmm.
Perhaps I should write about this for my next Different Spin column.
Time to catch up on my Juz's.
Salam Ramadan...
xoxo
D
Nice post. I have friends/colleagues who apologise for having to eat in front of me. But I don't mind, really. In fact, sometimes, I would teman them when they tapau their food, even though they would ask me to wait at the entrance, fearing that the authorities would catch me when Im inside an eatery.
ReplyDeleteIt is all about respect, understanding and tolerating other people's beliefs. Kudos to you for writing this post.
ReplyDeleteI have non muslim friends who would avoid eating or drinking in front of me like a plague during Ramadhan and in return, I would avoid eating beef or meat when I am with my vegetarian/Hindhu/Buddhist friends.
It is unfair honestly if I expect these non muslim friends of mine to respect my belief but I do not do the same.
We live in a multi cultural country..embrace it.