Ramadan Day 1

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ramadan Day 1

I found the video in the last post by accident. This was the one I was looking for. Ha ha, YOUKNOWWHO that TOTALLY reminds me of you!!!!!!

RAMADAAN DAY 1: diary to be used for my own benefit, documenting what I am abstaining from and how it benefits me [and in some cases] others.

RAMADAN DAY ONE DON'T #1: Don't eat. Or drink. [until sunset, unless medically excused]

"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness" (Qur'an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

"...And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." (Q 2:184)

`Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." [Ahmad]
Soooooo, no more schwarma, mandhi, shua, no more pastas, Mexican fajitas, no more machbous, and coffee, no chocolate chip cookies or croissants and strawberries coated in sugar (or even water) [my staples], until after the sun sets. My first and foremost goal (for most Muslims---both cultural and those truly inspired) of Ramadan is to give up food and drink for the prescribed hours.

RAMADAN DAY ONE DO: By giving up the time I would spend walking to get food, making food, socialising over the food during the day, the time now is to spend it on prayer, contemplation of the Creator and the blessings in my life and the wonders of the world, or in helping others, or in gaining knowledge.

I will not waste it thinking about food, or planning the next meal, or sleeping. Ramadan isn't about food. Or even the lack thereof.

Prayer for day 1 (Dua): "Allah, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those who fast sincerely, and my standing up in prayer the standing up in prayer of those who stand up obediently, awaken me in it from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins, O God of the worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives sinners."

Tarweeah Work for Tonight:
Surah Al Fatihah