As our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world celebrate Ramazan today, we share a beautiful song and a heart-opening video from Pakistan that embodies the spirit of this festival.
Click below to listen :
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According to the Islamic calendar, the ninth month is considered the most spiritual. As millions of Muslims around the world approach the end in their month-long spiritual cleansing through obedience, compliance and abstinence, we invite you take a look at these poignant photos that capture the beauty of Ramadan (Ramazan).
The month of abstinence provokes reflection not only for those who live by the Islamic faith, but also for individuals living in the peripheries of it.
The month of Ramadan subtly balances on the sheer strength of the human body and the beautiful restraint of the mind, simultaneously reminding followers of the Islamic faith to draw strength from their God.
Following the month of Ramadan, ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’, or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, is usually held to celebrate the end of fasting and gratitude towards Allah. Decked in their finest clothes, they celebrate the time with friends and families, and also take the opportunity by giving back to the less fortunate through charity.
While a random search on the importance of Fasting in Ramazan throws up many answers, I particularly enjoyed Rumi's take on the subject:
There's a hidden sweetness in the stomach's emptiness. We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music. If the brain and belly are burning clean with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.
The fog clears, and a new energy makes you run up the stairs in front of you. Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry. Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen. When you are full of food and drink, Satan sits where your spirit should, an ugly metal statue in place of the Kaaba. When you fast, good habits gather like friends who want to help. Fasting is Solomon's ring. Don't give it to some illusion and lose your power. But even if you have lost all will and control, they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing out of the ground, pennants flying above them.
A table descends to your tents, Jesus' table. Expect to see it, when you fast, this table spread with food better than the broth of cabbages.
MOWLAYA SALLI WASALLIM DAA IMAN ABADAN
ALA HABIIBIKA KHEYRIL KHALQI KULLI HIMI
MUHAMMAD UN SAYED UL QAONAIN E WA SAQALAIN
WAL FARIQAIN E MIN URBIN’WA MIN AJAMI
MOWLAYA SALLI WASALLIM DAA IMAN ABADAN
ALA HABIIBIKA KHEYRIL KHALQI KULLI HIMI
YA AKRAMAL KHALQI MAALI MAN ALOO DHUBIHI
SIWAAKA ‘INDA HULULIL HAADITHIL AMAAMI
