The food we consumed during Ramadhan

As I said before, what we do during the month of Ramadhan truly reflect our own desires, without the negative urges from Satan. However, habitual sinners will continue to commit sins. That is why I believe that people who commit serious crimes during the month of Ramadhan should be brought to justice and be severely punished as they would commit more harmful crimes and act more aggressively in the other months.

Our deed of fasting will not be rewarded by Allah if we continuously commit sins whilst fasting. Our act of fasting will only be physically strenuous and left us feeling hungry and thirsty if we failed to perform other religious obligations during this holy month.

It is appalling to know that (based on Harian Metro report today), some people broke fast (Iftar) by drinking beer, which is clearly forbidden (Haram) in Islam. In actual fact, this holy month of Ramadhan would be the best period to be steadfast and refrain from consuming forbidden food or performing undesirable habits (such as drinking beer or smoking). Some people might say that at least these people (who drank beer for Iftar) were good enough people because they actually observe the act of fasting. On the contrary, I believe that they did not have the spirit of fasting, lest they only physically abstain from drinking and eating during the day time. Their deed of fasting will only come to nought and will not be rewarded by Allah All Mighty.

Forbidden food is not only confined to the nature of the food or drink that is being consumed (e.g. pork, beer, wine and other intoxicated beverages, animal not slaughtered based on Muslim rites etc). A food is forbidden from being consumed by Muslims if they are purchased from forbidden sources, such as through stolen money or corruption. That is why some of the more pious among the Muslims would also refrain from consuming food presented to them by corrupt people.

Not many among us ordinary Muslims really adhere to the concept of Halal food i.e. food which can be consumed. Halal food should also be purchased from Halal sources of income. For instance, normal bread will become Haram and forbidden from being consumed if it is purchased from lottery winnings.

When the pirates from Somalia hijacked MISC tankers (Bunga Melati 2 and 5) in the Gulf of Aden, we were told that the Muslim hijackers prefer to hijack Malaysian vessels because the MISC vessels have plenty of Halal food rations. Didn’t the hijackers realise that even the Halal food rations would become Haram to them? Isn’t it actually as good as them consuming beef from any other non-Muslim vessels? And why did they continue their act of hijacking during Ramadhan? Aren’t they not real sinners? How can they claim to support a Muslim state in Somalia if they source their wealth through such illegal means?

I pray for the save release of our fellow Malaysians on board of Melati 2, and their save journey back (together with the released crew members of Melati 5) in time for Aidil Fitri.

My Ramadhan Hypothesis

As a Muslim, I truly believe that the temptations from Satan are greatly curb during the month of Ramadhan.

Those who still commit sin would usually be habitual sinner and those who refuse to repent. Non-Muslims would still continue with their own lifestyles. Crimes would still be committed, either by Muslims or Non-Muslims.

But I believe that crimes committed during the month of Ramadhan would be committed by true criminal (Muslim or otherwise), who act based on their inner desire and lust. They should not blame outside influence for the crimes that they commit during Ramadhan. And that should apply to the killer(s) of Altantuya and the mastermind behind the crime.

If I were to prepare a thesis on criminology, I would like to statistically proof that on average, crime rate would be lowest during the month of Ramadhan. I would gather data from various cities in USA (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, etc), United Kingdom (London, Manchester etc), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth etc), France (Paris) and others (including in Muslim countries).

Since Muslim calendar is lunar-based, Ramadhan would cover all seasons over a period of 30 years. Thus the statistics would not be season-biased (in any case, we would be able to compare against crime rate in Australia, which has opposite seasonal period compared to USA and UK).

In summary, Jurublog’s Ramadhan hypothesis states that: “On average, crime rate would be lowest during the month of Ramadhan compared to other months of the year”.

Any takers to proof the hypothesis?

Ramadhan al-Mubarak

Selamat menyambut bulan Ramadhan al-Mubarak.

I am actually so glad that Ramadhan has finally arrived again. It is usually the month in which I can easily ensure that all my compulsory religious obligations are observed. I somehow found it more difficult to do that in other months, especially in observing Solat on a timely manner. Somehow, I usually leave it to the last minute to perform my Subuh, Zohor or Maghrib.

One of my teachers reminded me that during the month of Ramadhan, Allah will instruct the Angels to open all the gates of Heavens and the gates will remain opened during the whole month of Ramadhan; Allah will instruct the Angels to close the gates of Hells and the gates will remain closed during the whole month of Ramadhan; and Allah will instruct that the Satans be tied-up during the whole month of Ramadhan.

The ustadz also reminded me that the Satans will be tie-up at various places e.g. places of sins (nightclubs, casinos, brothels etc), poles (e.g. telephone poles, electrical poles, even poles inside the Masjids), and onto people who refused to repent.

So, it is not so true that you will not be tempted by the Satans at all during the month of Ramadhan. Apart from having to curb your inner desire and lust, you may still to cope with the whispers from Satans, if you happen to be near them. My take: avoid such places above and avoid the people whom you know are habitual gross sinner.

Politicians who are habitual liar will still say things which they knew are not truthful. (So, expect Anwar to continue with his quest to persuade the defectors to join him). Habitual sinners will continue with their quests, and those near to them may fall into the same temptations. Non-Muslims will still do whatever they see fit to do. (I am not suggesting that Muslims should stay away from non-Muslims, but rather, Muslims should be more aware that temptations may come from these people).

I pray for a blissful Ramadhan ahead, and may Allah forgive all of our sins and provide us with abundance of compassion and gratitude.