“Not what it used to be” is a phrase we’ve been hearing quite too frequently. It used to be said by our parents and grandparents, but it never occurred to me that it could be said by us – people merely in their mid-twenties.
Ramadan is one of those things that I can physically feel is changing around us; it used to be all lanterns and happiness, now it’s just… Not what it used to be. Let me try and give us all some reminders of what Ramadan is and isn’t all about.
What Ramadan is NOT all about
1. It’s not about being cranky all day long and taking it out on everyone around while threatening to “break your fast on them”.
2. It’s not about sneaking into the house and sleeping quickly before your mum asks you to help her in the kitchen.
3. It’s not about eating way too much and then sitting idly in front of one show after the other.
4. It’s not about being actively unproductive and carelessly saying, “Who works in Ramadan?!”
5. It’s not about counting the endless number of festivities you have with friends and family where you eat like it’s your last day on earth and then gossip and talk like any other time of the year.
6. It’s not about watching series where all kinds of crimes are being committed by half-naked women and drunken men who curse more than they speak. (Seriously unrealistic drama, who does any of this in real life?!)
7. It’s not about spending millions on advertisements, especially ones that call out for donations!
What Ramadan IS all about
1. It’s about new beginnings, starting over, trying again. Just like New Year’s, but not with life, with God.
2. It’s about gradually quitting your smoking and coffee addictions with the help of Ramadan, not cursing the day because you can’t get a sip of life’s worst pleasures.
3. It’s about finding that ounce of tolerance inside you for everyone you dislike and growing it.
4. It’s about staying late at your friend’s house to help her clean up after the big Iftar.
5. It’s about doing charity work and not announcing it ever so casually on social media.
6. It’s about coming home early and telling your mum to rest while you prepare the food for a change.
7. It’s about finally deciding to tip that guy at the gas station who annoys you every time you’re there. You know he does need the money regardless of his attitude.
8. It’s about doing for your afterlife more than your current life.
9. It’s about eating less, cursing less, gossiping less, being less angry, and praying more, helping more, forgiving more and being nicer.
10. It’s about finally making that phone call to your aunt, the one you’ve been putting off for a year.
A lot of us say I am “this” and “that” and “it’s not like I’m going to change over a month”. But the thing is: You can if you want to. It doesn’t matter if you’re better for one day, one week, one month or one year.
What matters is that you tried, you genuinely tried. And when you revert back to your old self, you will try again. Nobody dies perfect, we all die trying.
I am not preaching, I am reminding myself and you.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss 7 Things We Love About Ramadan.