RAMADAN IS THE MONTH TO FAST, NOT FEAST!

Allah says in the Qur’an, “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed to those before you, so that you may develop taqwa”. The goal of fasting is to develop taqwa. Wise is the one who prepares accordingly by reducing sins and increasing his a’maal. Unfortunately, for most of us our goal has become filling our bellies with as many savouries as we can eat. Before Ramadan, our womenfolk are busy worrying about savouries and food in general, spending hours in the kitchen preparing them. During Ramadan we are meant to eat less than we normally do. We tend to do the exact opposite, eating better foods than normal! Our eating habits kill the roohaniyah that was meant to develop from controlling our appetite.

After all the samosas, pakoras, pies and laddus we consume, our bodies become lazy and tired. This makes it difficult to pray Taraweeh and Tahajjud and the essence of Ramadan is lost. This Ramadan put an end to this habit of over indulgence and extravagance. Speak to your wife and kindly tell her that you are not interested in over indulging. This will give her a chance to focus on worship rather than the kitchen. For the women reading this, sit your husband down and speak to him.

If he refuses then do not allow food to lead into an argument. There are already enough marital disputes in our Ummah as it is, so continue as normal with the intention to please Allah. If you have little children, preparing different savouries and desserts may be one way to get them into the spirit of Ramadan. This is fine but remember that our religion is one of moderation. Do what is required but do not overdo it. If you have little time for worship and most of your worries are on food, that is overdoing it. This may fill our bellies with food but it will empty our hearts of the noor of Ramadan which is such a shame and such a waste of reward, considering we may not even live to see the next. May Allah grant us the understanding, strength and willpower required to make this Ramadan a month of change, Aameen.

— Hazrat Ml. Dawood Seedat حفظه الله