It's clearly more important to treat one's fellow man well than to be always praying and fasting and touching one's head to a prayer mat. - Naguib Mahfouz
This Hegira month is the time for fasting, an annual exercise where devotees are required to refrain from sex, eating during the day and consume food moderately (preferably in liquid form) in the evening. Medically speaking, it was proven that this practice has some benefits. It removes anti-toxins and revitalizes the body’s internal organ function, not to mention, “rejuvenate the soul”.
Although I don’t fast, I can feel its presence. Its effect is highly contagious; like seeing somebody yawn and, involuntarily, you find yourself doing the same. As if life shifted into low gear: you see everything in “slow-motion”.
Where I am, I see people coming to work at around 10 am. Some bleary eyed, others in a foul mood and still a few could hardly raised their foot to take the next step as they climb up the stairs. All around, they slumped in chairs, immobile, nodding their heads back and forth like sickly fowls. The only indication they are still alive are the hand and finger movement when operating the mouse as they surf the net.
Pacing is reduced that I have to cope up by slowing down as well. There’s no need to hurry things up to finish what ever I’m doing if only to face a blank wall along the way. What’s the rush if the guy I’m supposed to coordinate with is still halfway, or worst haven’t started yet, all because of fasting. What better excuse do you have when you want to skip work?
What amazes me is this phenomenon I observed as the sun sets, as if dusk suddenly awakens dormant energy that so much hustle and bustle is happening (mostly buying sustenance) after dark. One could see queues in bakeries, supermarkets and restaurants. But real activity starts at 9 pm, the same time the malls open. For some, this goes on until the malls closed at 1 am, for others, until before the break of dawn. At sunrise they revert back into a zombie-like trance and the cycle is complete.
I'm glad the people I'm dealing with are still in the same 'normal' phase. Still working so hard and kept temperament. Although a few times, I observed they're easily tired. Understandable.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I think of my situation. I am sort of fasting also. The only difference is that I get to eat breakfast at 7am. But we probably have same dinner time. Still, I can't show off any change in work sustenance since I'm Catholic.
I agree so well with the quote you put there.
The quality of work, regardless if it's Ramadan or not. That's the difference when you work for the government or in a private firm. Walang pinag-iba sa government employee sa atin.
ReplyDeleteIs it not that when you are fasting specially when it is about religion you shouldnt show to others or give a hint that you are doing so,that you should act like its normal day for you?I did fast a couple of times for health reason and feel rejuvenated after that,But these days due to the nature my work,I have to eat..he he he..Its thanks giving day(moon cake festival) here now and you know what it means.
ReplyDeleteed v., tama ka. Some for obvious reasons makes it a point to look disheveled to show others they are fasting. Same as politician who go to church every Sunday.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Happy Mooncake Festival! Pahinging tekoy!
Thx for visiting my site. I totally agree with you re this Ramadan fasting. Pareho din sa Pinas. People are pretending to be holy and nice during Christmas and Holy Week, but in reality, we're just using the seasons as our excuse to be naughty (and dead drunk).
ReplyDeletethere's something very important in fasting. and fasting doesnt always mean fasting from eating.
ReplyDeletethere's a wisdom in fasting.
things are very different here in malaysia. the muslims fast but go about their normal routine like usual. in fact, many offices start work earlier and cut lunch break short so that the staff can go back at 4 or 4.30 pm to rush home for breaking of fast. most people break fast with their families, then go for tarawih prayers in mosques (although the numbers tend to taper off as the days go by).
ReplyDeleteyou can see kids as young as 6 or 7 years old fasting like the adults, even though they're not required yet, and they run around and play like they usually do.
shopping centres and malls open and close like usual, although smaller clinics and shops often close during breaking of fast.
mimi
www.sleeplessinkl.com
nebz, their's a lot who genuinely fast. What amuses me are those who wants to show they are "holier than thee".
ReplyDeletedonG, there are many benefits in fasting. For me, it rejuvenates the body system by resting it.
mimi, even in the Philippines, muslims treats Ramadan like Christians celebrates Christmas. A lot of Muslim Countries are more progressive in thinking than here. This is the birthplace of Islam yet I observed their are more muslims from other nation who practice it faithfully than here.
BTW, thanks for visiting my site. I really appreciate it.
kakarating ko lang dito sa kuwait,muntik pakong mahuli,kasi nakalimutan kong bawal pala magyosi sa labas..he he he.buti nalan sinaway ako ng kasama kong arabo din...
ReplyDeletelagi nalang silang taban(pagod),pero lintek naman kung kumain sa gabi..saka para lang iniba oras,kasi gabi hanggang madaling araw sila gising.kaya ako di ako makatulog.ang ingay kasi sa kabilang flat...hay nako,walang magagawa nakiraan lang ako dito sa bansa nato...
blogusvox, actually i've been lurking for quite a while now pero ngayon lang nakapag-post ng comment. i like your 'buhay buhangin' series btw.
ReplyDeletemimi
www.sleeplessinkl.com
fasting = detoxification. i'm not sure if i can do that for days. i eat a lot during the day, not much at night. baka himatayin ako sa gutom. :(
ReplyDeleteI think I'll find it hard to work while hungry. It also affects my moods. It will be a big adjustment for me if I get to work under such conditions. I'm not saying I won't be able to work but it will be quite challenging for me. :)
ReplyDeleteever, welcome back. Oo yung iba binabaliktad lang ang oras. Ginagawang araw ang gabi at vice versa. Kahit dito sa amin maingay din sa gabi lalo na yung mga bata. Pero ok lang huwag lang magbutas ng drill sa pader. Yung ingay nun dinig sa buong building.
ReplyDeletemimi, so you're the one from kuala lumpor I often saw visiting my blog. Thank you, and thank you for appreciating my work.
mari, imo, it's not advisable to fast when you're working. Ang lakas makapag drain ng energy ang pag-iisip.
panaderos, pareho tayo pards, bugnotin ako pag gutom.
why does it say fasting fever - you didn't say anything about fever
ReplyDelete