November 15, 2003

My cousin had come to Pakistan from Canada to spend her vacations. It was Ramazan. Her mother was forever going on about how religious and simple Sophia was even after staying all her life in a western country. She was a sweet person and performed all the religious rituals and prayers, but I really doubted that one could well and truly feel and understand the true spirit of Islam living in a country where Islam does not prevail.

It was the first day of Ramazan and everyone in the house was fasting, so an extra special iftari was in order. All the ladies of the house were busy in the kitchen. In one corner Sophia and Dadi jaan were busy cutting fruits for the fruit chaat. Amna, my eight-year-old sister, came trotting in and started grumbling about being hungry. It was her first fast. Her grumbling turned to moans and eventually she started wailing.

“Why do we have to fast, Dadi?” she cried. Dadi jaan smiled. She stayed silent for a while. Then she turned to Sophia, and said, “Sophia beti, I want you to explain to Amna why we fast.”

“Well...I think... uh.. we fast to please God...”, Sophia fell into deep thought, “and...uh.. I am not really sure, but...”

“But why would God be happy if we do not eat anything? How?” piped in Amna.

She was looking eagerly at Sophia and was waiting for an answer.

“Sophia beti, don’t you know why we Muslims fast?” “No, I do, it is just that...” she stopped and blushed.

“It is alright if you don’t know beta.” Dadi jaan took her hand and patted it.

“Dadi jaan, actually I never thought about why we fasted. I just thought of Ramazan as a good month because...” she stopped and blushed an even deeper red. “I just fasted because it helped me maintain a good figure,” she said in a barely audible whisper.

Dadi jaan laughed and said “I knew it my dear. You do not have to be embarrassed or ashamed. This young generation of today! God! Come here both of you.” She beckoned Amna and Sophia. “My dear children, we fast to please God, that is true. God has created everyone as equal. We are a huge community, we are all brothers and sisters. As such we should take care of each other and see to each others’ needs. We fast so that we can feel and realize the plight of our poorer brothers and sisters. We realize how hungry they are when we ourselves do not consume food and experience hunger. When we realize this we should help them by giving them food and Zakat. When we help them, the community benefits as everyone is happy and satisfied. Thus a healthy and happy brotherhood is formed. God is happy when His creation is happy. Do you understand now my dears?”

Amna was frowning and looked baffled for a while, but eventually nodded her head and ran away into the lounge. Sophia’s expression was a mixture of embarrassment and relief.

Finally she said, “Thanks Dadi for telling me. You know, in a way, you have saved me from committing a sin. My intention behind fasting till now was not very religious. I would have continued like this if it were not for you; and you always told me that all actions are judged by intentions. That kind of fasting could be counted as a sin as my intentions were not pure. Thank you very much Dadi!”

Dadi jaan just gave her trademark sweet and all-knowing smile and patted Sophia’s head.

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