Friday, September 22, 2017

#FastingInADay Challenge made meaningful during Ramadhan



Born from an impoverished family in Aras-asan, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, I took the risk of pursuing my college education at Mindanao State University Main Campus located in Marawi City. I must admit I had second thoughts to be at the campus because of the negative stigma tagged to the Islamic City of Marawi being a horrible place and home to a number of kidnappers, murderers, rebels and whatnot.

I could still remember the first time I experienced Ramadhan way back November 2002 as a first year student. I was deeply asleep when the firing of guns and other artificial explosives woke me up. I really thought there was an encounter between the rebels and the military, that I hurriedly went to our landlord to seek refuge and he gladly explained it’s a manifestation that the Ramadhan has commenced. (sighs). Thank God we are safe. More than the superficial signal is a deeper meaning of Ramadhan. It is a month-long fasting where participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and from having sex with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. This spurred my curiosity to closely observe Ramadhan and try fasting in a day with my Muslim brothers and sisters.

Sometime in July 2014, I finally had the chance to experience fasting during Ramadhan season. I was taught that a day before fasting, one must commit and set his mind to refrain from eating, drinking and other activities. This was my mental preparation that as early as 2 o’clock in the morning the following day, I was already awake to prepare for the suhoor - a meal before sunrise. Kuya Tommy our landlord was generous enough to welcome me in their home for a meal at 4:00AM. I ate some food, fruits and drink plenty of water. The first few hours of fasting was way manageable but I decided to stay at home resting when lunch time came and the need for water intensified. At 5:00PM, we gathered in one of the rooms of our college, did an ablution and performed a Maghrib prayer (fourth prayer of the day). After a series of preparations, we finally had our iftar – a meal that literally breaks the fast. It was like a feast of great food and drinks. Thanks to Sir Peepo and some of our students for the awesome meal. We then rested for a while and readied ourselves for the taraweeh – a night of prayer in a mosque. One of the things I learned while attending taraweeh was the equal treatment among the Muslims regardless of economic status.


We then went home at 10:00PM and my heart was filled with joy as I successfully surpassed #FastingInADay Challenge during Ramadhan Season. It was indeed a dream-come-true for me to experience how our Muslim brothers and sisters withstand the challenges of depriving themselves from eating or drinking after #suhoor and before #iftar. While having the desire to try is the first step to satisfy my curiosity, it was also a doorstep to learn important lessons in life. Being hungry and thirsty are two of the tests of faith, patience, endurance, humility and self-discipline among others. I'm simply amazed how Muslims manage to overcome the struggles in 30 days. Moreover, bowing down is truly a gesture of utmost reverence to our God. And above all, it's the realization that we actually have the same God (with different names) whom we put our trust and hope that everything will be well. Our sins will be forgiven if we are willing to repent and move away from the bad deeds. Thank you to Sir Tommy Disamburon for the provision during the suhoor, to Sir Peepo Disomimba Lucman who was readily willing to help me realize my desire for immersion, more so with coordinating with the Muslim students for the iftar and taraweeh, thank you so much Sir. Thank you also to the students who were equally willing to guide and teach me the basics of fasting. Thank you to those who in one way or another have made that day extraordinarily remarkable, unforgettable and meaningful. May Allah bless you a hundredfold :-) Thank you, thank you, thank you J
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