No longer the same Ramadan

Bismillah.

Assalammualaikum.

The new semester has begin. The fact that it starts together with the holy month of Ramadan making it exceptionally different. I may used to fast in long schooling hours before, yet this time the surrounding is no longer a like. It is a complete 180° turn. Apart from being far from home, the fasting hour is lot shorter, just 12 hours of hunger ( maybe similar to those in Sabah or Sarawak I guess) and I do really missed the chaotic bazaar Ramadan every evening in Malaysia. Sometime, it is absurd yet amusing on how highly creative the Malaysian inventing drinks with different colours and taste that abruptly appeared in Ramadan. The foods are not an exceptional either.

It has never been hard fasting in Malaysia. Normally, the night before we gather around the television waiting for an old man to appear and announce the fasting date. Then we update our status on Facebook and tweeter, and messages keep on popping in to our phones wishing Ramadan Mubarak. Besides Eid Ul Fitr, the lines would be crowded with this texting all over the places. Later, the whole family would surely, cramp into cars and head for nearest mosque for taraweeh prayer. It is so beautiful as the spirit of Ramadan filled the air and no wonder the mosques were full for the very first week.

But here, the scenario is the other way around. The only state in Australia, Adelaide fast on Friday, a day earlier. It was announced by IICSA (Islamic Information Centre of South Australia) on Thursday night on its web. Some said, the imams agreed to follow the global sighting rather than the local sighting and fast the same day as Saudi did.  Alhamdulillah, Islamic knowledge among the students are excellent. They have own reasoning. Some follow the jamaah and some did start fasting on Saturday. No matter what it is, Allah knows best. Perhaps we have separate day in celebrating Eid this year.

In Malaysia, some would use the break to start the very first Ramadan with family members. Mum will force us up in whatever means for suhoor. Delicious foods are already served on table moments we step to the kitchen. But, that’s not the case here. We struggle to wake up before dawn just to discover some dried breads on table and bottle of jam. Yet, it is more than enough indeed. InshaAllah there is blessing in every suhoor.

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1923; Muslim, 1095.

The iftar is very much similar in Malaysia. We go to the nearest mosque purely to experience the joy of breaking the fast in foreign country besides aiming for the free meals. I couldn’t help to recall all the mosques in Subang.  Daily, my housemates and I would travel together looking for mosque for iftar. Commonly, Al Falah mosque that was well known for its excessive and luxurious food would be top on list, but at the bottom based on length of taraweeh.

The muslim community here is a mixture of various skin colours and nationalities, as if we are on hajj in Makkah. “Various skin colours, fashions and delightful perfumes” as my friend captioned on her status.  Instead of billions, being a small community at whole is the only fact that makes up the different. Still it doesn’t stop us from having our own iftar and taraweeh together. Moreover, the brotherhood and ukhwah appears concrete here. The brothers would hug one another instead of professional hand shaking, and make dua’ for the others.  

The spirit of Ramadan is more here. Prior Isya’, distance Quran recitation could be heard from all parts of the mosque and number of jamaah going for taraweeh never declined since the first day. More and more people are coming, together with their children and wives. The taraweeh is simple and short. There is no salawat in between to vary each rakat. A short stop would be enough. I have to ask my senior to differentiate the eight taraweeh with the other three witr prayers. Besides, outside speaker is used in reciting the Quran during the prayers.

In Malaysia, it is always about food. Yet, sadly there is no moreh here.

Despite all those differences, one remains similar. The Ramadan itself. No matter where and in which seasons would we be we are still celebrating and cherish the same Ramadan. Ramadan is the month of contemplation, spiritually and brotherhood. Verily it is the month full of blessing and forgiveness.

"O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” (Al-Baqarah 2:183)

Fasting is a must upon the muslim with hope we would be the muttaqoon-the righteous and those who has taqwa in their hearts. It is not the month we seek for expensive hotels and book the best iftar deal or busy shopping for Eid Ul Fitr to replace the old stuffs. Indeed, we are in great lost if we treat this month equally with other normal days.

It is the month in which Allah revealed the Quran as guidance for the whole of mankind. It is the month in which Allah gave the Muslims victory in their first and greatest battle at Badr. It is the month which has  Laylat al-Qadr, a night which is better than a thousand months.

Indeed, in Ramadan the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayaateen (devils) are tied up and the reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month. Thus, the only enemy in this month is our exploding lava of nafs that sometimes uncontrollable.

InshaAllah, this month is a great platform to train our evil nafs and cultivate istiqamaah in our good acts and deeds. Lets us InshaAllah embark to become a better muslim, at least better than what we are before. Let’s make the different in this Ramadan, let it be different from previous year as Allah give us this chance freely for nothing, but with hope that we would reflect and commence something good. 

Please forgive me for any bad opinion in this post.

Wallahualam. :)