Fast is not Furious.

Every year I get asked the same questions about my religion, especially so on the observation of fasting during Ramadhan in the long summer months.I take it as a test of my faith and how I play my part as a Khalifah in this world, in this part of theworld where Muslims are being wrongly potrayed time and time again.

Alhamdulillah, on the first day of puasa, I have had no difficulties whatsoever. Except that my faith was being tested by a non-muslim wanting to know about Ramadhan. I chose my words carefully as I do not want to give out the wrong impression and the wrong facts. I think instead of calling it the Fasting month, we should all address it as the month of Ramadhan.Because when they hear bout Fasting, the only thing that comes to their mind is No consumption of Food and Drinks. Yes, fasting is an integral and paramount part of Ramadhan, but Ramadhan is much more than that. It is the month where we could gain double or triple pahalas from all our ibadahs. It's also a month where the rich help the poor,where the fattys should get thinner (me me me!) and the sinners to repent (me again!).

Says Ahmad Syeikh Farooqi "This is the month for renewing our commitment and re-establishing our relationship with our Creator. It is the spring season for goodness and virtues when righteousness blossoms throughout the Muslim communities. "If we combine all the blessings of the other eleven months, they would not add up to the blessings of Ramadan,"

So what did I say to her this time? I told her that is is the fasting month and for 30 days, and we can consume food only after the sun sets. And that's when she freaked out the first time. She asked why can't you even drink water? And that's when I freak out. That's when I always freak out too, because I don't have the right answer to give. I made sure I pointed out that the sick, elderly and the kids who are not fit do not have to fast, but should still perform other ibadahs. I also added that during the day one should control their worldly and sexual desires. And she freaked out yet again. And finally she asked what happens to those who do not fast?




"Dey you go to hell lah of course!!"


Only I was just kidding. I said "If you don't, you don't get duit raya and you cannot eat on the same table as everyone else. HAHAHA!"


PS- So back to my question, how do I explain about the no drinking during the day during Summer time? Please help.

Fasting and what it means to me

Miss Melanie Rose, my Standard 1 teacher back in Sri Kuala Lumpur asked me, " Are you fasting today?". I stared back at her, not understanding what she was asking me. She asked again, this time in Bahasa " Puasa ke hari ni?". And also because I didn't fast then, I was 7 years old btw, I answered "No." but looked away shyly. I was embarrassed when she found out I wasn't fasting. I should give more credits to myself lah, I was only seven years old for God's sake, but already I was embarrass to be seen as not fasting. Hehe.

So Standard 2 came, you know you feel like you are slightly older when you are 8, because, Hey kamu bukan budak darjah satu anymore! So I started to fast when I was 8 years old. For a whole 30 days. Cikgu Norbariah wrote a short letter in my notebook for my parents. It was more of a question to find out if I was telling the truth. What ? Just because I'm fat doesn't mean I cannot tahan puasa ok.

" Adakah Shamimi berpuasa penuh 30 hari?" And my mom signed it with " Ya, Cukup 30 hari".

I never felt so proud in my life then. She gave me those stationery set. A full one, with fruity scented eraser, expandable ruler, rows of pink- coloured pencils, a sharpener, a notepad and a pencil box. So do you think I was a lucky girl? Indeed I was. And I was the only Malay in class to complete a whole month of fasting. There were 3 other Malay kids in class. Ngehehe. Honestly I didn't know how I managed, but I just did.

My arwah Tok always advised us not to eat rice for Sahur or we will end up hungrier. She always made sure we had 2 slices (or more. more usually.hehe) of bread and a cup of Milo Ais. Or occasionally nuggets or burgers. I know to some it may sound unhealthy, but it's only in my late teens did I understand of the whole concept of metabolism and the science behind it. So brilliant hor my Tok?

During my childhood, the hours between sunrise and sunset always seemed long. My sister and I would be watching tv on the rattan sofa watching Rumah Kedai with my grandmother before heading down to the kitchen around 7. And then it's another good 30 minutes before Azan begins. We will sit on our designated chairs.Sometimes my brother will have kuih keria (because that used to be his favourite) just strategically placed, inches away from his lips when he hears the cough of the Imam. My sister and I will follow suit, and pick up a kuih and do the same. My Dad will shrug us off and tell us to behave. Like so pelahap right? There would be murtabak almost everyday and soya bean. The rest of us ate whatever is on the table.

When my eldest brother got back from New Zealand for the first time for puasa, he demanded Otak-otak. 20 pieces to be exact, which he manage to finish all by himself. Call it the glutton family!

So Friday marks our first day of fasting for 2009 in Dublin, and it is my first time fasting in the summer. So far, other than feeling a little sleepy at work I had no problems. Only except the occassional hunger pangs, which of course will do my body good! There was a major confusion amongst the Muslim communities in Dublin. The Muslimn butchers and grocers did not fast today because apparently they follow the moon sighting in Morrocco, whereas the Imam in Dublin Mosque, follows tha moon sighting in the UK.

I followed the recipe of Tom Yam Goong from youtube step by step. And the outcome was marvellous. I kid you not and I'm not trying to carry my own basket here! And I didn't even have to taste it first before serving. Anna made sirap bandung biji selasih. Perfect combination. So we both sat infront of the tv with the sound of the Azan blaring from the laptop at 8.45 pm.

I am surprised that the tiredness, hunger and thirst was not as bad as anticipated. I believe if you do it for the right reasons, you will be alright. And of course, fasting in the Western world where the majority do not understand your religion or try to take the opportunity to put your religion down, you try your best to be as diplomatic as possible. I cannot, as much as I want to , smack her head with a bottle and condemn her religion, I decided against it. Because if I did, not only my fast will be voided, but it will reflect upon my religion. Fasting is also about testing one's patience isn't ? And it's not helping that there I am puting up my best smile trying to look as fresh as ever, some other Muslims will be complaining how they cannot smoke and they feel like dying already. Potong betul ok!

So when she asked me for the 100th time that day, what's good with fasting? You cannot drink? What will you oohh get if you don't fast? I replied with a huge smile albeit with a bit of sarcasm " THE DEVIL WILL COME AND STAB YOU IN YOUR HEAD!!"...