大象传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Sadia Azmat, stand-up comedian and writer

Good Morning

This is the first week of Ramadan, the month in which the Quran was revealed to mankind.

I鈥檝e been fasting since I was a young girl. It鈥檚 a reminder to me of people who don鈥檛 have enough food.

Muslims believe that the food is blessed more this month, and has a special taste.

I like fasting because it helps me remember God and to give more attention and focus to my spirituality which can sometimes be forgotten at other times of the year.

I do get asked a lot of questions this month like do you lose weight? I definitely don鈥檛!! That isn鈥檛 the point of fasting.

It鈥檚 a great time to work on my character, and to give charity. In Islam, we believe that giving charity actually doesn鈥檛 decrease your wealth, in fact giving charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: 鈥淭he fast and the Quran are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 鈥極 Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him鈥�. The Quran will say: 鈥業 prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him鈥�. And their intercession will be accepted鈥�. (Quran, 2:183) Oh, you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness.

Ameen

Peace and blessings be upon you.

Show less