Ramadan KareemFasting and moments of compunctions [Archives:2005/883/Culture]
Mohammed Al-Hakeemi
“Some students eat and drink secretly. They told me. I wonder why they should lie to others! Doesn't Islam say 'A believer can never be a liar'? a senior Indian expressed his boredom and uneasiness to me.
The story of the first survey:
Last year, for the Yemen Times, I wanted to survey one of the greatest enterprises achieved in Ramadan. I had to stop my attempt for my camera was confiscated the time I wanted to take some photos of people eating together at the mosque to show readers how charitable societies play a major role in helping the poor and to show to others how Muslims show love courtesy and solidarity with each other.
Never take photos:
This time I am quite hopeful and enthusiastic. I will survey. “Ramadan in here” without using a camera in order not to be attacked again or beaten up (God forbids) by people who believe that taking photos is haram.
Worn-out welcome:
Villagers got even ready to welcome Ramadan a week earlier. They often sing songs, do chanting sessions (Mawalid) or listen to a worn-out cassette whose lyrics are very popular among them. The words go like this:
“Oh, Ramadan. Welcome you, welcome,
Oh, Month of repentance and forgiveness;
You are mostly welcome.
It seems nobody could write better or try to compose new lyrics on the occasion. “Poets are preoccupied with other trivial topics and love is blind,” a fellow countryman commented.
What adds insult to injury is that the “A” side of the cassette welcomes Ramadan while the “B” side says”
Oh, Ramadan, adieu, adieu
Oh, Ramadan, May God forever bless you!
May you come back to us;
We will dearly miss you.
History of the cassette:
Since time immemorial, this cassette has passed down from one generation to another and it has become the part and parcel of our Ramadan tradition, maybe.
Masbaha (rosary) is a characteristic of fasting:
Many fasting people will have beards, long Masbaha, white Thobes (dresses), and Miswaks (natural toothbrush) to brush their teeth at every prayer.
Many others will visit Makkah in Saudi Arabia (either for the sake of fame, money or for seeking repentance and God's forgiveness. Many (I swear) will dust the Holy Quraan book that had been put aside safely for the whole eleven past months.
This is the way life goes:
Most families stay up till al-fajr (dawn) prayer and then they go to sleep. Some go to sleep in the morning and get up an hour or so before the sunset (the end of the stated fasting time) to avoid feeling hungry and thirsty.
Working hours discern the effect of fasting on them. Many employees and students absent themselves from work and learning institutes/colleges. Streets are free and rather empty.
Get up for Sahoor:
A person with a drum goes around villages shouting: “Get up and have your Sahoor. Fast, repent to Allah.”
This happens at 3:00 a.m. while in the big cities and town, there is a cannon that is fired producing a big sound to indicate the time of fasting commencement and breaking. The time of Sahoor is the most appropriate for reciting the Holy Quraan and performing prayers.
Hungry man is angry man:
Streets get very crowded the period before and after Iftar (breaking of the fasting). Regarding the period before Iftar, fasting people are buying things for their breakfasting meals. After Iftar they rush to buy qat and visit one another. Violent fighting and accident might take place the period before Iftar, the rush hour, as a result.
Fasting superstition:
Some people belive that the Night of Al-Qadr might visit them any time throughout Ramadan nights. Some believe it is seen descends from the sky like a shaft of light and goes into houses. If you touch your money or food stuff the time it comes, you will, it is believed, be rich forever. Some claim they get knowledge and become well-versed scholars. In fact, whatever is wished by you will be certainly fulfilled according to the superstition.
To be continued next issue
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[archive-e:883-v:14-y:2005-d:2005-10-06-p:culture]
