the final fast of Ramadan

عليك السلام يا شهر رمضان!

Today is the final fast of Ramadan. Unlike last year, it looks like almost everyone will be celebrating Eid al Fitr together on Sunday, a happy convergence of the Ummah. But talking about Eid is premature; it's still Ramadan for one more day, and we have to make the most of it. That the last day happens to fall on a Saturday is quite an opportunity to really focus on ibadat, prayer and Qur'an.

It's always a bittersweet moment to realize that Ramadan is done (Rama-done?). On there's a palpable sense of relief, just one more fast to go. On the other, there's almost a sense of panic as we realize just how little ibadat we actually did, relative to our grandiose ambitions and promises at the outset. It's not possible to cram a full month's worth of prayer into this last day, but many of us will try anyway. Given that oppressed muslims in China are forbidden to fast, and many muslims right here in the West are unable to do so for various physical reasons or illnesses, those of us who did manage to observe the fast should have more humility and appreciation of being able to partake in the blessing and opportunity for spiritual cleansing that Ramadan provides, but the sad truth is that most of us are more concerned with the upcoming feast and counting down the final hours. I pray that I have the will and the strength to treat these final hours of Ramadan with the respect and gratitude that it deserves.

Perhaps the best way we can ensure we make the most of Ramadan, is to keep trying after Ramadan ends.