It’s an exciting time for Muslims all around the world. Everywhere people are talking about the month of Ramadaan which is almost on our doorsteps. Alhamdullillah! It’s so beautiful that Muslims make such a big deal of this month, as we should!
Ramadaan is indeed the month of blessings and the peace and tranquillity that we feel in this month is undeniable. Allah’s mercy definitely transcends more on us during this blessed month. Allahu Akbar, this is a gift above any other.
There’s something else that you can’t miss when associating with Muslim women though. This is of course the other type of Ramadaan Preparation- You know, not the spiritual or even the physical preparation. This is the FOOD PREPARATION. I’m not sure how things are in other parts of the world, but in South Africa, where I am, this has taken on new meaning.
As if samoosas, pies, half-moons, spring-rolls and mini-pizza’s are not enough to make, now there’s also mini samoosas, crumbed samoosas, square samoosas... see even I have lost track. Last year I was actually told that a certain savoury was “in fashion” for Ramadaan. It’s quite crazy, isn’t it? The amount of time, energy and money that goes into preparing all this food really makes one wonder. Now, I’m really not saying that people shouldn’t prepare anything at all, especially when you have hungry men (and women) eagerly looking forward to breaking their fast and eating these savouries shortly thereafter. Getting all of that food preparation out of the way before the time is also wise because then people don’t have to be bothered with that during the month of Ramadaan and there’s more time for Ibadah. All I’m saying though is that it should not get so out of hand. Women shouldn’t spend so much time preparing food for Ramadaan. When we focus all our energies on food preparation we don’t have time for the spiritual and physical preparation that we should also be making.
Besides, keeping it simple is always better, and if we look at our Iftaar tables we can never say that we are not extravagant. We should also always remember that it was a Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) to break his fast with only dates and some water, so even though this is difficult, we should slowly begin to implement this Sunnah in our lives. May Allah make it easy for us all.
Basically what I’m trying to say is having balance is good. Don’t overdo the food preparation and don’t become so engrossed in preparing savouries beforehand that you don’t have enough time to prepare yourself in other ways. Ramadaan is Indeed an joyous time and a precious gift, may Allah make it easy for all of us to make the best of this month, in every way. Insha'Allah Ameen!
Image taken from: towardsenlightment.wordpress.com/2007/09/Bismillah Image from: picsdigger.com/keyword/islamic%20places/
