Internal Decoration

With just eight days left to the Holy Month of Ramadaan, I thought it appropriate to publish a post on yet another topic and experience I feel extremely passionate about.

In Islam, it has been prescribed to fast for one month. Daily fasting, which starts about 45minutes before sunrise and ends at sunset, entails refraining from food, drink and any other worldly pleasures we would usually endulge in.

Many people wonder why Muslims all over the world would subject themselves to physical and mental torture by going without food and water for 12 hours a day, everyday for a month. Once you begin to UNDERSTAND, with an open mind, why anyone would subject themself to starvation, it seems fair that God prescribed only ONE month for us to practice self restraint and discpiline. 

You see, for me, personally, this Holy month is not only held in high regard because of The Revelation of The Quran, but also and just as important, because it is a time for me to reconnect with The Almighty. When we are constantly feeding our body with food, drink, clothes and other material things, and the mind with an influx of thoughts, our relationship with God gradually deteriorates. We tend to lose ourselves in worldly affairs and forget God.

Fasting allows the body and mind to take a break. Once the physical element of being is a bit relaxed, we allow the spirit or soul to be revived, by feeding it through prayer and worship.



Photography: The Archive by Tassin Albertyn (www.thearchivebytassin.com)

The month of Ramadaan serves as the perfect time to re-evaluate my life, in the light of Islamic teachings and God's Guidance. My faith is one of the very few things in this life, that actually makes sense, that motivates me to want to be a better person.
What I love most about Islam, is that it teaches us that God has bestowed HIS favour upon us by reminding us that we are only human and that we are imperfect and that, through prayer, repentance and consciousness, HE will help purify and guide us to a path that is of eternal bliss.

 

Photography: The Archive by Tassin Albertyn (www.thearchivebytassin.com)


As I head towards this Auspicious month, it gives rise to many emotions. One of them being a feeling of slight contentment. The realisation that I am blessed with another Ramadaan, to seek forgiveness and God's pleasure. Most of all, to reflect on who I am. An opportunity presents itself to do some serious internal reflection. Ultimately, the point of my existence is aspiring towards and working hard to become a good person with excellent character, like the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).



Photography: The Archive by Tassin Albertyn (www.thearchivebytassin.com)



On behalf of my family and I, we would like to wish all Muslims a blessed month of Ramadaan. May The Almighty bestow HIS Infinite Wisdom, Mercy and Peace upon you and your loved ones and accept all our prayers and good intentions (Inshallah - God Willling). Ramadaan Mubarak and Much Love :)

Xana