It is stacking up to be a hot and humid start to Ramadan. I drank half a dozen glasses of water yesterday and took 3 showers, but still ended the day feeling dehydrated and drained. Great, I thought, how much worse will it be tomorrow if we are fasting?
And then I thought of famine in East Africa. And of the millions who aren’t going hungry and thirsty because it’s Ramadan – they’re literally starving to death. They won’t be able to pop open the fridge come magrhib time, take out a tall cool glass of water and quench their thirsts. They won’t be able to siddle up to a Ramadan buffet, pile their plates full, gorge themselves and then throw a quarter of the food away.
So as your stomach growls today because you didn’t eat lunch, as your through is dry because you haven’t had your afternoon latte, think of the blessings you have. The blessing of being able to choose when to eat and drink. The blessing of a roof over our heads, of being safe. The list really is endless. Remember your blessings and don’t forget to help those in need. Islamic Relief is one of the charities on the ground, working to address the hunger. Consider a donation.
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas (ra):
The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).
[Bukhari]
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