by Muhammad Fahd Waseem

Created on: August 17, 2009

Today's fast paced world does not forgive people who withdraw from their professions for long periods to observe some of the more demanding aspects of the Muslim celebration of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, the, Sehri (pre-Fajr meal) and Iftari (post-Maghrib, fast breaking meal), are essential parts of the regular routine. Some of the other time demanding, but non-Farz (non-essential), observances include the Taraweeh (long prayers with the Ishaa prayers), and the generally lengthier prayers.

Of course, to really savour the blessings of this month, one must try to do more than just the essentials. Trying to read and understand the Quran, praying, helping people, and generally being more careful of one-self's doings takes more effort and time.

And time is something the Muslim engineers, businessmen, doctors, and other professionals are short of. These professions are full time, demanding jobs. And in today's world, withdrawing from these may mean poor revenues, lost opportunities and, in some extreme cases, loss of livelihood.

Islam, however, does not ask one to become a recluse during this holy month. Taking short minutes and half-hours out for dedication to Allah is not particularly hard.

* If you cannot observe the full 20 Taraweehs, observe just 8, 12, or 16. If you are too pressed for time, just observe the regulat Ishaa Farz in the Mosque and perform the Witr at home.

* Prepare for the Sehri the night before so you do not have to wake up too long before the Fajr prayers.

* The time saved during which you normally had lunch can be devoted to some prayers and / or understanding the miraculous teachings of the Quran.

* Do not waste time on TV, movies or such things. Ramadan is also no time to go to shopping malls!

* Try to learn one Ayat a day from a selected chapter of the Quran. Learn it with translation or make sure you understand the meaning. It takes almost no time.

* Do not make Iftari a long winded, multi-course affair, as it nowadays has the tendency to become. Ramadan is not for feasts. Plus, you save time.

* Be punctual about your job. Don't draw out your tasks. Perform your duties with the objective of saving 15 minutes each work day. These minutes can be dedicated to prayers, reading and learning. Besides, you may even impress your employers!

* Even mundane tasks are blessings if performed with the correct niyyat (intention). You need not alter much in your daily routine. For example, an engineer may be designing a road network. If he does it with the intention of helping people, rather than minting money, it becomes an act in the way of God.

* Change your psyche. Ramadan is not about clapping a cap onto your head and taking up residence in a Mosque. It is about the little things that count. Make conscious efforts to avoid lying. Do not cheat. Thank Allah for the little perks of life. These things take no time, yet are truly what Ramadan means.

Much of all this is exemplary. Everyone can find little, tiny ways of one's own. The point is that if there is a will, there is a way. Allah does not mean Ramadan to be draconian. He simply wants to teach us the good ways.

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