Ramadhan Kareem...
Yesterday was the first day of Ramadhan. As always, the coming of the Holy Month gave me and continues to give me a certain feeling of contentment and happiness. I always feel that Ramadhan really cleanses my whole being. I don't really know how I can explain this, but Ramadhan has never failed to give me peace of mind.
This may be the effect of not thinking any "bad thought" while fasting. It makes me feel good and at peace with the world. I've said this time and again, and I'll say it once more, Ramadhan really brings out the best in me. It just feels so great. I guess I am speaking for every Muslim when I say that I am just so happy that I'm still here to enjoy Ramadhan and that I'm still strong enough to perform the obligatory sacrifice and abstinence during this month.
If there's one thing that I really long for right now, it's home. I really miss home. I miss praying with my family, friends and the whole community at the King Faisal Mosque (which is very, very near our house); I miss breaking fast with my whole family; I miss hearing the azan (call to prayer); I miss hearing the ulama's radio programs until the wee hours of the night; I miss the closed stores and restaurants during the day and looking forward to their opening in the evening; I miss the Qur'an reading; I miss the Ramadhan lights; I just miss everything about Ramadhan in MSU! After all, this Ramadhan is my fourth here in Manila. It just doesn't feel the same. But, then again, Ramadhan is still Ramadhan wherever I may be. :)
Last night, we had the Tarawiih (special prayers during Ramadhan) at the IC. That was my first Jamah Tarawiih, i.e. performing the Tarawiih with a/the community, in four years! The moment the very young Imam started the Suraatul Faatiha (the Opening Chapter of the Qur'an), I couldn't hold back my tears. I cried because I was so happy and because I missed Jamah Tarawiih sooo much! The feeling was just overwhelming. There were just a few of us because the other UP Muslims haven't been informed that there actually is Tarawiih at the IC, but it was great. Now, I am so excited to join the Jamah (praying community) every night.
I still have tons of paper to finish for school and all, but right now, I am very happy and I feel so peaceful. So, to everyone: assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi ta'ala wa barakatuhu (may peace and God's blessings be with you). Ramadhan kareem! :)
I was tagged by
List seven of your favorite songs of the moment in your journal and force seven other people to repeat this process or a puppy/kitten somewhere in the world will be sad!
1. "Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana" (SMAP)
-- Our favorite J-Pop song! Whenever I hear this song, there is no way I won't sing along with SMAP! :)
2. "I Believe I Can Fly" (R. Kelly)
-- This song never fails to lift my spirit up. :)
3. "The Way" (Fastball)
-- I can listen to this song over and over again 24/7! I really like it. :)
4. "On My Own" (from Les Miserables)
-- My favorite sad love song. :)
5. "Don't Cha" (The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes)
-- I can't not dance whenever I hear this song. Hehehe:)
6. "Ue o Muite Aruko" (Kyu Sakamoto)
-- After seeing the movie, Nodo Jiman, I just can't stop my tears from falling whenever I remember this song.
7. "Kabilugan ng Buwan" (The APO Hiking Society)
-- This song never fails to put a smile on my face. I always have to close my eyes when I sing it or when I sing along with the APO! :)
Oh-kay! That's one less sad doggie/kitty in the world. :)
The seven people I am forcing to repeat this survey are:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Comments
By the way, what's kareem?
",)
uhm, i've written about ramadhan last year (in november), too. you could check that out through my archives (into the ocean) if you have time.:)
"kareem" means kind. "ramadhan kareem" means ramadhan is kind, but that's one of the ways we greet one another during ramadhan, i don't know why. i asked my friend about this (she knows arabic), but she also doesn't know why this has come to be used as a greeting.:)
sana makapunta na rin ako...:)
your comments made me smile.:)
enjoy all those usual things while you're still there. from where are you, by the way?:)
two of my batchmates, toie and wanie (perhaps you know them?) are also fasting. their discipline really amazes me. ang galing talaga and to think na we have finals and everything. bow talaga ako sa inyo. :)
nahihiya nga ako kasi i didn't know na ramadhan na pala and i kept on munching on a chocolate bar and gulping water in toie's presence. buti na lang she wasn't offended.
ok lang 'yun, sanayan lang din. there was one time, kasi at work i go with my friends when they go out for lunch kasi ayaw ko naman magpaiwan sa workplace mag-isa, one of my friends got me a glass of water when they ordered. syemps, she didn't know na kahit tubig, hindi pwede. sobrang namula siya sa pagkabiglaat hiya na rin siguro pero i didn't mind naman. she meant well. at sanay na ako... hehehe:)
i admire people who have the discipline to fast.
on my own used to be my fave song. ganun yata talaga, may phase tayo na nagiging fave natin yan. pero na-a-outgrow na rin naman natin. :D
it's nice to hear ramadhan stories from you. at least, i get to see what it is really about and not just the fasting.
malapit lang din pala ang bahay niyo dun sa king faizhal mosque? yung kina ate bai din. hehehe!
noreen, wow! paborito mo din pala 'yun? dati... hehehe:) i'm glad i'm able to share kahit kapiranggot lang about ramadhan.:)
Ameen!
salamat, ari aken.:)