By Izzud deen Redzuan
Muslims should look forward to reap the most rewards and benefits during the holy month of Ramadhan. Any forms of extravagance should be avoided, especially in foods and beverages.
As Allah says in the Quran: œO children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. (Al-Araf 7:31)
For some people, the entire month of Ramadhan seems to be all about foods since in Malaysia we have Ramadhan bazaars that sell a variety of foodstuffs that may not be offered during other months. Therefore, some would turn themselves into ˜food hunters and buy a lot of foods for breaking of fast as if the day is about to come to an end. The month of ˜fasting has become the month of ˜feasting.
For some housewives, it has become a great temptation to spend the entire day planning, searching for recipes and cooking for the iftar. Indeed, this is a good act since they are going to serve what is best for their family members.
However, stressing too much on foods could distract them from doing many deeds of obedience and worships in this blessed month such as reciting the Quran and performing the solat. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness.
When it comes to sunset, the table is hardly seen when it is filled with varieties of foods, sweets, and drinks. This contradicts the purpose of fasting in which in this month we are supposed to exercise self-control, be more discipline and sympathetic with the suffering of others. Eventually, it makes us remember the blessings of life which we normally take for granted.
Of course, there will be many leftovers on the table. This is the kind of waste and extravagance that go against the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, where moderation is the key to everything in Islam and Allahs command.
As Allah says in the Quran: œIndeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful. (Al-Isra 17:27)
Extravagance in food and drink may lead to many evils such as eating continuously till the time for Maghrib is up in order to finish all the foods we have bought earlier (for example, nasi kerabu, coconut shake, and kuih-muih). That is obviously not right.
The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH was that once he broke his fast with some dates, then he would hasten to prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.
Even worst, when people are full, automatically it makes them lazy, also makes the heart heedless and sleepy. It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so. Then, they will give a thousand excuses not to go to mosque to perform the Solat Taraweeh.
Ramadhan should therefore be a time to avoid being wasteful, and learning to be prepared to face difficult times by distinguishing the needs from the luxuries.
Photo courtesy of Visual Online