رمضان المبارك

يا أيها الذين آمنوا كتب عليكم الصيام كما كتب على الذين من قبلكم لعلكم تتقون

[Al baqarah : 183]      

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous”

Once in a year, there is a month that all of the muslims have been awaited for celebrating with joyful and wonderful. It is  a month for all of muslims gathered into one for serving Allah SWT by doing a plenty of good activities as many as we could in order to pay back good deeds towards our almighty creator, Allah SWT. A month that full of barakah and noble we call as Ramadan Al-Mubarak. In entire month of Ramadan the muslims are conducted to fast which refrain ourselves from eating, drinking and encouraging self-control from bad and no moral activities.

A month, we as muslims considered as the holiest month of the year, throughout a day and night we can see many muslims hands facing the sky asking Allah for forgiveness and blessings throughout their lives, asking for guidance and asking for protection from fire of hell. Other than that, the reason of fasting is able one to learns to control his or her desires and temptations and thus has greater self-refrain. We also were asked to imagine how is like the poor people live without food and drink for many days.

After fasting from sunrise until sunset, the muslims usually would having a large dinner that call as Iftar with their family, relative or friends. Afterwards, all muslims would gathered to mosque to perform the Tarawikh prayer which is sunat for all muslims to perform it. Thus, whoever performed they would be granted from Allah SWT. Next, before the sunset is rising we were encouraging to wake up and eat during the Sahur as the replacement for breakfast in the morning. Additional more, it is also one of sunnah from our prophet Nabi Muhammad SAW which are good and receive Pahala from Allah SWT.

Besides that, in Arab country the government proclaim the month of Ramadan as holiday for all citizens including, the workers, students and sellers. The government gave way and opportunity for them to do the Jariaah and drew closer to Allah SWT. Where our group (Liberators) found Arabic’s government are so systematical in programmable and understandable towards its citizens during Ramadhan. We are very respect and high salute through this brilliant system for Arabic citizens.

Apart from that, our group has decided to share about some of our member memories and experiences during the Ramadan. So shall we make a move to Najwa’s story, guys!

“Fasting” or also known as “Therseel od” in Thai word, the thing that we all as a Muslim must do in the most precious month that is RAMADAN, I felt that fasting for the first time while in childhood is difficult to forget the memories. I made up a tolerance of the power of faith.

I learnt to fast from the age of seven years and be serious when I was eight years old. At the age of seven years, I tried to fast for the first time and do a full day fasting make me felt little dizzy. That year, only 2-3 days a month that I did a full day fast. 

When I was 13 years old I’ve started to fast in SMAP KAJANG, which was my first year fasting in Malaysia. The condition was very difference including the food, the place, and the surroundings. It is because when I was in my own country, I can choose anything that I want for my break fasting as I was with my parents that always fulfill my desire but not in SMAP KAJANG, I have to eat what is served and prepared by the canteen stuffs. At first, I can’t even eat the Malay’s food because the taste was so bad. Not long after that, the food was getting more delicious day by day and I already can accept the Malay food until now. 

One thing that I can’t forget while I was fasting in SMAP KAJANG when my friends and I were going out to bazar Ramadan together to buy the extra foods for Iftar. As the food have been prepared in the dining hall by the canteen stuffs unfortunately it still was not enough for me..Erkkk. The food that I could not forget to buy whenever I went to Bazar Ramadan is honey grilled chicken ”Ayammadu” For me it was so yummy and delicious.

At night, I would go to the mosque to perform Tarawih prayer with my family whenever I came back to Thailand, whereas in SMAP KAJANG I’ll go to the mosque with my friends. Because of that, our friendship is strengthened time after time.

Last but not least, as I  was getting older the thoughts about Ramadhan have changed, when I was a child the only thing in my mind about Ramadan is fasting from eating and drinking from sun rise until the sun set but the perception has changed as I am getting more matured. Now Ramadan for me is not only fasting from eating or drinking but we must fasting from doing all the bad things which are fasting our eyes from looking bad things, our ears from hearing not beneficial things and our mouth from saying the bad things. Therefore, Ramadan is actually like a “madrasah” school for all Muslims to train themselves to become a better person.

Here we go to the next story which is ‘secret’ whoever he/she might be; we hope you guys enjoy the story!

My very own story about my experiences and memories during Ramadan Al-Mubarak began when I was little by the age of 5.  My mom has trained me to fasting for a half day in a month. At first, I objected because of thirsty and hungry. I can’t deal myself from not drinking or eating at all. Fortunately, after has been trained day after day I manage myself to continue fasting. Even though, I’ve successfully fasting for just half of day, it already has fulfilled my mom wishes and happiness.

I remember when I was 7 when it comes the time for me to wake up for sahur I would cry out loud because of restless and sleepless. Despite of that, my parents kept forcing me to wake up and eat sahur no matter what, so I have no right to say no. During the teenagers I became very serious in fasting; in fact I made it in fasting for one of full month almost every year. Every evening, my family and I would go to the mosque to perform Tarawikh. Even the mosques across the world are packed with muslims listening to the Quran in the special Tarawikh prayer.

After understanding and experiencing fasting through the years, it has thought me in so many ways such as be patient, be polite to everyone and be an important bond that unites all family members and muslim relatives. In fact, fasting also make me improved and fixed up to become better and even better. I’m glad that I was born as a Muslim, so I can experience in fasting same like other muslims as well. We must be proud and thankful to Allah SWT for giving us chances and energies in fasting while we were still alive and strong.

Let's check it out, Farid's story during Ramdhan!

There were so many of my childhood memories during Ramadhan. I started fasting at the age of 10 but it only lasted until half-day. At night, I only pray maghrib and isyak prayer. After that, I went to the field to play firecrackers matches and saw the eldest played bamboo and iron cannon. The next year, I started full day fasting. It’s because my grandfather promise me to give RM 1 everyday if I fasting for full day. In that year, I also do 8 rakaat for tarawih prayer, it’s because my grandmother promise to give me RM 1 every night. At the age of 12, I started full day fasting and do the tarawih prayer without money. But in that year, for the first time ever I had major operation during ramadhan.

Let’s go further to our next group member’s story during Ramadhan!

This is one of the best memories that I’ve ever had every time when Ramadhan is coming, all of my family will be gathered and Iftar   together at my mom’s house. There are two dining tables that are divided for men and women, which those tables will be, full every Iftar. Every evening, all of my 6 sisters will go to the kitchen to help my mother prepared for the Iftar. My mom will cook like we were going to having a big feast. Haha. Every day my mom will make a dessert for us. Go to drink, it’s about 3 to 4 types of drink that we will have for Iftar. It just so different situation when it comes to Eidul-Fitri days. It is a big different where we can gathered all together in Ramadhan.

Last but not least, let’s check it out about our Leader’s story during Ramadhan!

It was hard to fast for the whole day when i was a kid. There's always something that gets in the way. The best part is I put on act in front of my parents. Let them think that I'm fasting when in fact I'm not actually. When I can’t hold back my thirst, I could even drink the pipe water. And when it comes to eating, I could do even in the bathroom. I still find it quite funny actually. When the times come to break our fast, I made it look like I'm fasting.

At night, I told my mother that I was going to the mosque for tarawih prayers. I was going to the mosque but my intention was a little bit swayed. The real reason that I and my friends went there was to get a free food and play together. And then I did not when home straight away after the 'prayers'. I went to the shop and get some firecracker and having 'war' with my friends. It was a funny thing to do at the moment. After we all get tired, then we get home.

Thats all about my experience in Ramadhan when I was a kid. It was one of the things that I couldn't forget.

Moral of the story, by fasting on Ramadan uplift and motivate us (human being) to be self-command, empathy, and revere. Fasting can be agreed-upon as more than refrain from eating and drinking but it include also refrain yourselves from the illegally apply our tongues, hearts and minds. Allah SWT has commanded us to fast, so we as (human being) can take this in itself as a lesson for ourselves to be more better ummah than before.

 اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان وبلغنا رمضان‎

O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)

[Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]

Say together “Allahumma Ameen” !