Thousands of years ago, one man was chosen by the divinity to be a prophet of peace and destined to be the founder of a new religion Islam. Ramadan the most pious month- the season of immense importance to Muslims all around the world. This month deepens the belief in their creator and creates an atmosphere filled with happiness and peace. Every Muslim cleanses himself in mind and body so as to offer their reverence to God. This involves settling old scores, burying the old hatchet and fasting for long hours during the day. Ramadan is the season of less sleep and more prayer and fasting.

Well this season sets an example for all other communities as well. I say this with experience. Not a long time ago, during Ramadan I had an encounter that changed my attitude completely. I was with my best friend when we witnessed a senior bolting towards us. He seemed angry about something and began to yell at us for obstructing his path. He pushed us out of his way in an aggressive manner and stormed off. Being a short tempered girl I was about to revolt when my friend who was keeping the holy fast of Ramadan nudged me in my arm and told me “Shaina, do not react. If we react in an impulsive way without thinking the situation through, we might end up causing a lot of commotion. Fighting back will not improve the situation, rather it will worsen it and we will have to face the music. There would be no difference between you and him. Forgive and forget my dear and you will feel the peace gushing through not only yours but even in his heart”. Next day, believe it or not the same boy came back to us and apologized for his behavior. He told us that he was moved by our kind gesture of not revolting and wreaking havoc in the corridor. He offered us each a chocolate and from that day onwards we had become friends. That day had taught me a very important lesson, do good to others and good will come back to you. Forgive wholeheartedly, pray devoutly and abstain from all evil in addition to fasting.

Peace is an intangible feeling. If only the peace that could be felt during this heartfelt season was felt even after this season, there would be so much more love and so much less destruction. The brotherly love would drive out darkness and there would be light all over. Nowadays, wars are taking place in some of the most serene countries, bountiful of discrimination and prejudice takes place even though it’s a modernised world and rifts take place over the smallest of issues. The spirit of Ramadan shouldn’t be left to only one particular month or one definite religion. Rather, it should be followed throughout the year for generations to come by all. We have everything- resources, food, wealth and technology but the thing we lack in the most is Humanity. We mustn’t make this season an excuse to be nice, we should make it a reality.

Here’s a recipe to a sweeter Ramadan:

1 cup of kindness

2 tsps. of gratitude

A sprinkle of simplicity

3 tbsp of forgiveness

Tip: forgetting along with forgiving will give you a sweeter taste

2 bowls of charity

Immerse mixture into prayer and solace

Garnish with love

Best served with a smile.

This dish is bound to bring joy not only to you but also all those around you all year round. Out of all the exchange offers in the market I can tell you without a blink that prayer is the best one: You give all your troubles and worries in God’s hand and in return take a truck load of blessings. Wishing you all my fellow readers a very joyous season of Ramadan!