As I write this story, it is the month of Ramadan, and I am fasting. I remember the day I first started fasting when I was a child in Iran.
We were a very religious family. I was nine years old and in third grade. When a girl turns nine, she is considered a grown up and has to pray and fast and follow all of the rules of the Qur’an.
Fasting was very difficult for me that year and I didn’t like it. I had a friend named Mozhgan who didn’t fast because she was too weak and would become sick, and her family wasn’t religious like us.
One day in class, I hadn’t eaten enough during Sahare. At this 4 a.m. meal, you can eat as much as you want, but you can’t eat or drink anything after it until the sky becomes dark again. In class the lessons were hard. At the end of class Mozhgan came over and ate a cake in front of me.
I told her I was hungry and thirsty. Mozhgan encouraged me to eat or drink something, so I ate a piece of cake.
Then she laughed and said, “You broke your fast. You are a criminal and God will kill you and afterward you will go to the other world and God will give you a very difficult punishment.”
I cried a lot! I went home feeling ashamed and scared. I was crying in my room when suddenly my older sister came in. When she saw me, she asked, “Why you are crying?” I was afraid, so I told her that I broke my fast.
My sister kindly told me that God doesn’t like to see a beautiful girl crying. “God doesn’t want to force his rules on anybody. Your friend is wrong. God is kind, don’t worry,” she said.
After that I felt better.
Now I think that fasting can be healthy for the body. Ramadan is also about cleaning our souls from crimes, and refraining from lying, backbiting, or cursing. It also helps us understand poor people who don’t have anything. I think that during this month God tests us to see if we can be honest with ourselves or not. It helps me know myself better and practice being patient.
And if you break your fast, now I know you can atone. For example, if you break your fast for one day, you can fast for 60 days more or give food to 60 poor people.
By Mona
Geez, if I break the fast for 1 day, I have to spend 60 days to atone for it? That seems so harsh! = I’m guessing that most people would prefer to share food with others, right?
Dear Mona,
You are wise and have really grasped the meaning of Ramadan. Hope that the days of fasting helps you to reflect not only on your own self but also about others.
That was good to understand a child feeling about fast , thanks for your nice article and have nice fast during ramadan .
Monae Aziz
This was one the greatest essays that I have read. Well written, grammatically correct, and the way it is written is astonishingly beautiful. Keep it up Mona.
Regards,
Wahid Ahmad
Beautiful story, Mona. I’m not a Muslim, but your story helps me understand the meaning of Ramadam, and the depth of your faith. Thank you.
Beautiful story, Mona. Well written. Your story helps me understand the meaning of Ramadan and the depth of your faith. Thank you.
Dear Mona,
Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom about Ramadan. This is a lovely story. Very well done.
Yours,
Claire
Mona,
A vivid, evocative look at Ramadan from the eyes of a child. As a reader, I could feel your fear after having taken a bite of cake. Luckily, you had a kind and generous sister who was able to dry your tears and teach you a little bit about God’s generosity.
Good work, Mona. Keep writing!
Ms. B
This story really feels alive; like it happened yesterday. I wonder what
became of little Mozhgan. Thanks for sharing this story Mona. It’s an insightful
look back at the genuine, yet raw feelings a child may experience and never forget.
Congratulations! Have you ever noticed that your writing skills have substantially improved in contrast to the previous semester. Now you can write correct sentences, organized paragraphs and great essays in English. Have you also noticed that all these improvements are because of me? You should know the value of having such a helpful friend. Be proud of it.
Mona, a most impressive and insightful piece. It makes me so proud. You have a beautiful style and I do hope that you continue your writing. It is important for not only you, but for the women of Afghanistan.
Thank you for all my friends that wrote comment for me.