As I have completed 30 days of fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan in America, I feel somewhat rejuvenated rather than feeling relieved that it was over. Probably it was due to some of my American & international friends who was amazed that I could NOT eat or drink anything from dawn till dusk for 30 straight days!
"I don't know how you guys can do it; if it was me I'll probably die!"
- Angelos Nicolaou
Words of bewilderment from my Greek classmate who knows what it's like to fast as he lived in Saudi Arabia before. My American friends whom I met through The Asylum (gig organizers under Penn State) were also surprised about how tight the restrictions during fasting was but they were really supportive. I would say that their reactions gave me the impetus to fast as I feel these people really appreciate those who have the mental strength to go through this yearly ritual whereas in Malaysia it is like a normal, obligatory thing to do.
Another interesting observation is that the Eid Mubarak celebrations here are low-key although we have a considerable numbers of Muslims in the area. On the first day of Syawal, we all head to the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center which is on-campus to perform our Eid prayers and listen to the khutbah. After that, we would all wish each other a happy Eid Mubarak and have a light breakfast. I do not know how grand Eid is celebrated back in their home country but as I see it here, they don't seem to emphasize on making it a "big" thing unlike in Malaysia.
The justification by Malaysians that Eid must be celebrated 30 days since fasting in Ramadhan was observed for 30 days is unfounded. It is as if that Malaysians feel that Ramadhan is more of a burden than a blessing whereby we are released from our "shackles" come Syawal; although the choice of word I used sounds offensive it is what I have experienced too every year back in Malaysia: I somehow felt glad that Ramadhan is over and done with. However, this year I have gained a new, different perspective on the significance of Ramadhan. It is the month where we have to sacrifice a lot of things to get Allah's blessings and don't expect to get anything in return when Eid comes because we shall be rewarded in the hereafter.
One bad habit prevailing among Malaysians during Eid is that more and more of us are jumping into the "open-house" bandwagon. I know that the niat of doing an open-house is always good i.e. to strengthen the bonds of friendship and family but if people start competing on making grand open-houses, these good intentions won't be accepted by Allah. Another habit the hosts would do is to always provide a lot of or even too much food for his guests. It is good to show goodwill towards your guests but providing them with a long buffet table of local dishes which will eventually won't finish is just wrong. Coupled that with 10-20 open houses invitations we get and the amount of food being thrown away is enormous! We have to remember that there are thousands, millions perhaps of Muslims around the world celebrating Eid in poverty i.e. without food or shelter.
Thus, in sharing their burden, I decided to take the optional six days of fasting from the 2nd day of Syawal till the 7th; it is just a small token compared to what they are going through. I hope that you would take up this chance being offered by Allah so as to cleanse your mind, body and soul. This past month in America has opened my eyes on the true meaning of Ramadhan which is about self-sacrificing yourself for the hereafter and restraining yourself from self-indulgence when this holy month has passed.
The justification by Malaysians that Eid must be celebrated 30 days since fasting in Ramadhan was observed for 30 days is unfounded. It is as if that Malaysians feel that Ramadhan is more of a burden than a blessing whereby we are released from our "shackles" come Syawal; although the choice of word I used sounds offensive it is what I have experienced too every year back in Malaysia: I somehow felt glad that Ramadhan is over and done with. However, this year I have gained a new, different perspective on the significance of Ramadhan. It is the month where we have to sacrifice a lot of things to get Allah's blessings and don't expect to get anything in return when Eid comes because we shall be rewarded in the hereafter.
One bad habit prevailing among Malaysians during Eid is that more and more of us are jumping into the "open-house" bandwagon. I know that the niat of doing an open-house is always good i.e. to strengthen the bonds of friendship and family but if people start competing on making grand open-houses, these good intentions won't be accepted by Allah. Another habit the hosts would do is to always provide a lot of or even too much food for his guests. It is good to show goodwill towards your guests but providing them with a long buffet table of local dishes which will eventually won't finish is just wrong. Coupled that with 10-20 open houses invitations we get and the amount of food being thrown away is enormous! We have to remember that there are thousands, millions perhaps of Muslims around the world celebrating Eid in poverty i.e. without food or shelter.
Thus, in sharing their burden, I decided to take the optional six days of fasting from the 2nd day of Syawal till the 7th; it is just a small token compared to what they are going through. I hope that you would take up this chance being offered by Allah so as to cleanse your mind, body and soul. This past month in America has opened my eyes on the true meaning of Ramadhan which is about self-sacrificing yourself for the hereafter and restraining yourself from self-indulgence when this holy month has passed.
