PERSEVERANCE and restraint, this is what the holy month of Ramazan brings along with it. It is a month of self-control and supplication, caring and benediction, of repentance and sanctity. With belief and faith, we all are conscious of the fact that the true aim of fasting is to weaken a person’s dependence on material things and strengthen his or her spiritual resolve.

This year, let us all follow the three parts of this glorified month, divided by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He said the first 10 days of Ramazan are ‘Blessings.’

The next 10 days are ‘Forgiveness’ and the last 10 days, ‘Freedom from hell-fire’. In the end he authenticated that the best days of this world are the last ten days of Ramazan.

Let us all eulogise Allah Almighty by living our lives in a manner that honours Him, and not surrender to socialising till sahoor.

Prayer serves a dual purpose during the holy month; the blessing of man and the glory of God.’

A Happy Ramazan to all.

Tasneem Allibhoy Tharia

Karachi

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THE other day, I stood in the heat for two hours for a rickshaw. As I waited I wondered if our country is an Islamic state.

In my family, I am known for having a positive attitude towards life, but after these two hours of torment, I was broken. Plenty of rickshaws stood in front of me but no driver was ready to oblige me, because of lack of CNG, even though most of them are on petrol.

Ramazan is here, everything is overpriced, extreme heat, roads dug up, foul language. No one is ready to give way to others.

The print, electronic and social media are all about food, but one hardly finds any mention of the importance of being kind to fellow human beings

Are we going to spend Ramazan this way? These are the thoughts of someone who is the sole breadwinner of the family.

Ramla Munir

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2019