I am not a habitual Facebooker and, therefore, continue to be amazed by the spirit of folks inundating my space with postings.

Rama-da-an Kaa ree-am.

I just watched the clip posted by a cousin and said: “Wow.” This was not the ‘wow’ typical of our apologetic selves, where we are happy at the mere mention of Pakistan or Muslims by the Gora Sahab, the Amreekis or anyone whom we consider as our lord and savior. Quite ironically though, in a world where we claim to be the best of monotheistic nations, we have more lords than the ONE we should really commit to.

I was amazed not by the mention of Ramadan but by the knowledge Obama’s speech evinced – the fact that he knew the substance behind the form we call fasting is laudable since it evokes (albeit seemingly to some) a new-found sense of empathy by America.

As I carefully listened, I was keeping a tab on the happenings in beloved Pakistan at the stroke of Ramadan, reflecting the malaise that affects Pakistanis. Our Islam is restricted to its form, while its substance takes a convenient back seat. We have lost track of the essence and consequently suffer from pangs of melancholy and mayhem in suicide bombings, self-immolations, honor-killings, corporate fraud, cheating naïve customers, blatant corruption, etc.

Our Ibadah is restricted to the length of the beard (Darhee) or towards the picture on the t-shirt that the poor kid came wearing to the mosque (he will never come back for prayers, after the rage he received from the ‘faithful’ Muslims). The Maulana Sahib, who almost killed the poor boy for sacrilege, faithfully collects his interest cheque from National Bank of Pakistan.

This Ramadan, mosques will again be lit with fervour, millions will flock for prayers five times to seek forgiveness. Many people will attend the Taraweeh mentioned by Obama, while some will go to mosque for business talk/networking or even the Mithai on the 27th. Some will resort to a 3-day turbo Taraweeh (where they can’t make out a word from the Holy Book) and thus completely defeat the purpose of hearing the glorious Quran for a full thirty days. I dare say, a select few will go to mosques in a particular locale to make a statement (hum nay tau so-and-so hotel may itikaaf kiya ya fulaan imam sahib kay peechay namaz parhey uss waley masjid maein). A scant few will make their fiftieth trip to Makkah and a lot more will continue the Iftar party count.

Snack joints will be flooded with customers, and gluttony will be witnessed like never before. Women will come all decked up and guys will check ‘em out, all in the name of a super Iftar at posh restaurants. In the process, Maghrib congregation prayers will be conveniently forgotten.

Do we really know what the phrase ‘Islam is a complete code of life’ means? Islam asks us to pervade our entire existence with the fragrance of this beautiful faith. Our great religion came to supplant theories, aimed at divorcing day to day lives from faith. We are supposed to be in Islam each passing second, whether it is going for studies, setting out for jobs, negotiating deals, making promises or treating fellow beings.

Let us start this Ramadan with a serious introspection: with a thought of our loved ones, with kindness to our parents, with fairness and transparency in business dealings and, most importantly, with the thought that our real Lord will be happy to call us the best of nations. Living Ramadan in fast is great, but it is even greater, if our life changes for the rest of the year. Otherwise, we will keep hearing about Muslims fleecing their fellow Muslims in the holy month, Muslims killing in the name of religion, and Muslims focused merely on bettering their Duniya at the expense of Aakhira. Believe me - when we set our Aakhira right, our life in this world will auto-set itself!

Koi qaabil ko tau hum shaan nayey daytay hain

Dhoondnay waloan ko duniya bhi nayey daytay hain

We can eat all we like after Ramadan; let’s reserve these moments for changing our life for the better and for enhancing its spiritual content.

Ramadan Kareem to you all! Please remember me and my family in your Duas.

By Arsalaan Siddiqui

Saudi Arabia