Children during Iftar
Talha casts a furtive glance at the plate of dates. Then his little eyes wander and rest on the slices of juicy mangoes, pineapples, dahi-vadas and the lip-smacking haleem. His cousin, Rehan, nudges him and whispers in the ear: "Abhi paach minute hain iftar ke liye" (Still five minutes to go for iftar).
Normally they would have pounced on the delectable spread. But now they show extreme self-control, something strange for six year old children. Both are observing half-day fast and wouldn't like to miss the cheerful experience during iftar. With children around, iftars become memorable occasions. The cordiality and warmth goes several notches up and the little ones get precedence over everyone else. The first piece of date goes to them and so is the first morsel of meal.
Fasting is not obligatory for young children in Islam but many families encourage them to observe 'roza' just to get into the habit. And as a reward the favourite meal and dessert of the fasting kids are prepared. A few parents celebrate the 'roza rakhai' (observance of fast) of the children grandly. Some kids initially fast for a couple of hours and some for half day before they get habituated to full day fast. "I like the iftar time when everyone gathers around the dastarkhwan", says Talha, unmindful of his broken hand in cast. Sure the bonhomie that prevails at the time of Sahr and Iftar is touching. There is an immense sense of sharing and caring.
With Ramzan drawing to a close, many youngsters are upbeat that they have not left the fast despite the harsh summer. Of course they have made the most of the school vacation. "No, we don't play in the hot sun but confine to indoor games", says 14 year old Imran, who is regularly observing fast for a couple of years.
Ramzan helps children understand the importance of being grateful for the blessings they enjoy. When they feel the pangs of hunger, they learn to sympathise with the poor. "It is not the number of hours you fast but how you spend your fasting hours that matters", remarks Juveria, recalling what she heard from her parents.
Even if children are not fasting they like to take part in 'sahr', the pre-dawn meal. But waking up bleary-eyed youngsters is a task. Of course doting parents cajole them into taking their regular meals during the day. For housewives it is literally a race against time. The food has to be prepared and eaten before the siren goes.
Come Ramzan and things are never the same. Most Muslim households see a spiritual transformation even as the daily routine goes for a toss. Not just the eating habits, sleep and working schedule too undergoes a change. Worship takes precedence over everything else and other tasks are adjusted accordingly. The 30-day lunar period is a time for penance, renunciation, prayer and sacrifice. "Fasting is not about a diet of burning calories. It's about burning ego, pride and sins", says Saiqa Parveen, an English lecturer. For some Ramzan is the right time to quit bad and unhealthy habits. "After being off your addiction for a month you might not feel like going back to it again", says Maulana Obaidur Rehman, who leads the prayers at Masjid-e-Teen Posh.
So what is the Ramzan recipe? No, it is not dahi-vadas, haleem or biryani. It includes a glass of care, a plate of love, a spoon of peace, a fork of truth and a bowl of 'duaas'. Why not adopt these golden principles?
J.S.Ifthekhar,
Hyderabad based journalist.
Article published in The New Indian Express
Dated June 13,2018
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