30 DAYS of SACREDNESS- RAMZAAN !!!

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             Yesterday, the day "Hilal" happened for our Muslim brethren. The moon came out in its best view and Muslims got readied for their most sacred month of Ramzaan. Today is the first day of Roza. The month of Ramzaan is of 29 to 30 days when Muslims try to keep Roza and avoid food from dawn to dusk. Ramzaan is the month when Muslims believe that the creation of Quran happened. They were provided Quran in this very month. A Muslim feels it quite a pride in telling that they have been involved in reciting Quran. This month allows them to get intrigued totally in it. Just imagine a month when you have to stay away from every wrong-doings. A month when you have to stay without eating and drinking to finally break the fast with other religion's brethren or family. How sacred the month would be. I, as a Non-Muslim, always try to help my Muslim friends during Ramzaan. One can easily stay without food for a day or two for 15 hours daily but it's too difficult to do it for 29-30 days regularly. Some of you might say that it's easy. But in the scorching heat, staying away from drinking Water(too) for 15 hours is something that is a BIG CHALLENGE. If we find someone doing this, we should try our best to help them. 

            In my last Blog Post, I shared some bad experiences I had in a Muslim college. Many may have thought that I am an Anti-Islamic because people grasp negativism more than positivism. This is something that I hate a lot but the mindset can't be changed. I have told how I have been best friends with all the Muslims of my class more than Non-Muslim boys. I have so many Muslims in my Twitter account with whom I chat on regular basis. But this is something that is hard to prove to the people who have already set a mindset for me or anyone. But if any of my Muslim brethren got hurt because of the last post, I want to clear that it is against the extremists staying in that college and not to all the Muslims. PLEASE, understand me. PLEASE. I haven't got any criticism for it but I fear of hatred for something that I am not even subjected to. I am someone who is not quite religious, so for me, being Hindu is not something I am very proud of. If I would have been a Muslim, a Christian, a Sikh, I would have been as much proud as I am now. There's not any distinct kind of pride to be happy for being a Hindu. I feel more joyous in saying that I have equal friends of all religions. :-) That is something I love more. Interaction among different religions. :-)

            With Ramzaan, the festive season of our country has begun. Following this, there will be many festivals lined up one after another. And this will go on till the end of the year which will end with Christmas. :-) Raksha-bandhan, Janmashtami, Independence Day, Jamat-ul-vida, Parsi's New Year, Idu'l Fitr, Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Gandhi Jayanti, Dussehra, Bakri-Eid, Karva Chauth, Diwali, Bhai Dhuj, Chatt Puja, Muharram, Guru Nanak's Jayanti, Christmas Eve and finally Christmas. And people say it's shameful to be living in a country like India. Go to hell. Festival is something that we wait for. And when we got it in plenty, some of us complain about it. What can be more beautiful than College/schools re-opening in July/August and a National Holiday been allotted for every week. :-) There can be no more relief than this. Aur college/schools se yaad aya, 5th September ko Teacher's Day bhi hai. :-) Haha.

           Coming back to Ramzaan, Non-Muslims and even many Muslims have a misconception that it's all about fasting. No!!! Ramzaan is about staying away from any kind of negative activity and wrong-doings. Abstaining from eating and drinking is secondary, but one should make sure that he/she is away from ignorant and indecent speech, shunning oppression, shamelessness, back-biting, slandering, tale-carrying and all other types of falsehood. And it is said that if one is following all these Falsehood while the month of Ramzaan is on should also skip fasting as it's not of any use then. Many Muslims does not know about this. They think that Ramzaan is all about Fasting. And my youth friends, let me tell you that from dawn to dusk, you just don't have to stay away from eating and drinking, but also from any kind of Sexual activities. So kindly boycott your boyfriend/girlfriend for a month. :-) I know it's more harder than fasting but... jo hai so hai.. :-)

             The various practices that are being performed by Muslims in these sacred 30 days are Fasting(dawn to sunset), Tarawih(more frequency of prayers and recitation of Quran), Iftar(at sunset, family gathers for the fast-breaking meal), Charity(to both-Muslims and Non-Muslims) and Laylat Al-Qadar(the most holy night of the year). Even I join my Muslim friends for Roza on 27th or 28th day as they say it's nice to keep Roza on the day. It feels good to preach some religious basics of other religions too. The name of every God is beautiful. Praying anyone always helps to be peaceful. Being hateful for other Gods and Religions is as much of a crime as abusing and mistreating your parents. Even today I believe that Lord Shiva, Allah, Jesus and all the GOD are ONE. It's we the Human Beings who have named them differently to play hatred among each other. Yes!!! Extremists, I apologize to you for the statement. :-) 

            So, Ramzaan Mubarak to all my Muslim friends and even Non-Muslim friends who believe in Islam. Try to be as pious as you can. And remember, fasting is just not the criteria of cleansing all your sins. Be away from all the Falsehoods too that I have described above. :-) And I am waiting for the 30th day when the MOON will come again in its bestial view and I'll be invited at the respective home's of my Muslim friends for consuming delicacies in excess. :-) 

   Thanks. 

   ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU