MWA asks: what is it about Ramadan and fasting that you particularly enjoy?

[If viewing from the "Home" page, be sure to click on the "Read More" link after the introductory text to read...the rest of the story!]

I'll kick-start the post, and as some of you may already know, I oftentimes lean toward a touch of humor, so this is something silly that popped into my head one evening in Ramadan as I started to peel the toppings off a pizza that just arrived for suhoor. One of the reasons I might particularly enjoy the fasting aspect of Ramadan is that: I have food issues to start with! lol

Food. It bothers me to spend money buying it. It bothers me to spend time putting it away. It bothers me spending time to prepare it. It REALLY bothers me having to clean up after preparing it! And it UBER bothers me that all of that money, time and effort are consumed within 5-10 minutes from the start of eating it! AND THEN!!! And then we flush it down the toilet!!!! WTH?!?!

In the first week I was trying to make iftar and suhoor a little more photo-op-ish (lol) (for the MWA Ramadan blog's photo section), but as Ramadan rolled along this month, iftar's began to slim down to a mug of tomato or lentil soup, a handful of jelly beans (what! no dates?!), a cup of coffee and a tall glass of water (or two) before jumping out the door to pray Isahah and taraweeh. For suhoor, now maybe I'll eat a little more since I went light on the iftar, but light is the pattern that seems to be working best for me going into the second half of Ramadan.

On the serious side, subhan'Allah...it seems I have enjoyed listening Quran more than ever, and I have particularly enjoyed visiting different masjids for taraweeh prayers.

Last, but not least, helping maintain the MWA Ramadan blog has really helped keep me focused on the essence of this Holy Month. Al-hamdulillah. And I'm so grateful for the contributions of MWA's members. Salute!

Ramadan Blessings: a poem by MWA's Fahmida Sultana

Amidst the sweltering heat
Dehydrating thirst
Delicious aromas swaying in the air
Constant Chitter chatter
Children's wants and needs
Extreme exhaustion
Lack of soothing sleep
I cherish my fast from dawn till dusk
When the sunset welcomes the Adhan and the Adhan welcomes the Iftar
Knowing in my heart that Allah was watching me and protecting me throughout the day
Giving me strength from hidden sources

When the last few seconds are ticking towards Iftar I have hope that Allah will accept my fast for Him
And in return he blesses me with abundant gifts in the form of thirst quenching drinks and nourishing food
Replenishing anything that was lost
How can I not be grateful to my Creator when he blesses me when I'm fasting and continues to bless me when I'm eating?

©Fahmida Sultana 2013

MWA's Fahmida Sultana shares iftar pics - wonder if she delivers?

<<<< click on 'read more' link

Hope in Ramadan: a poem by MWA's Fahmida Sultana

I hope to worship You
Day and night
Drown in remembrance
Of You

And move my soul to another
Time and Space
And lose myself there

I hope to be pleasing to You
My Lord
So You can shower Your Peace and Blessings on me

Ramadan: a poem by MWA's Fahmida Sultana

Ramadan is the best month of all months by the permission of Allah

Its days are best among the days

Its nights are best among the nights

And its hours are best among the hours

In this precious month I have been chosen to be among countless others to receive Allah's honour and blessings

His Mercy will envelope me even when I breathe
Each breath will be a reminder to His eternal Truth
Even when I sleep
It will be worship

Fahmida Sultana 2013