Monday, August 23, 2010

Full Bellies But Empty Hearts

"O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint." S2,V183

I love this month. I love the feeling of being united with the ummah, all carrying out the same act.
The fasting for 16 hours is hard but I dont feel any more tired than normal. I have even had 2 people comment about how "healthy/radiant" I look. I do have moments of lethargy and abdominal pains but alhumdulillah nothing that I cant handle. If anything its teaching me to appreciate how blessed I am to be able to afford food and its effect upon the body.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)".
Many of us are struggling to improve ourselves this ramadhaan, not just by abstaining from food, but by holding our tongues, not listening to bad talk, not backbiting, not arguing, not becoming angry. And I am the first to admit its hard!! It's inevitable that a certain degree of irritability creeps in when your tired and hungry. Yet we keep striving.
Yet there are some muslims out there who give up food but not their bad habits. they still gossip, fight, backbite, and lie.
Take the case for the 2 murdered brothers in Sialkot, Pakistan. Brutally slain in front of a large crowd that included police. Not one person had the decency to stand up and help those brothers. Doesn't a persons fast become negated by simply taking part (even as a spectator) in this scene? Allah doesn't accept the fast of an evil doer.
How about those who choose to exploit the devastated masses after the flood in Pakistan. Depriving so many needy people of basic water, food and medical attention. Siphoning off donated money and supplies to line their own pockets.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

Makes you think doenst it????

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