When the Prophet Ibrahim AS questioned the validity of his fathers Gods he set a sunnah for all those who follow to question temporality.
It’s this very temporality of cultures that make it very logical to question their spiritual utility. I coined this term to pun on the utilitarian culture capitalism breeds.
The capitalist wand does magic when it reduces spirituality to a means of display and economic utility.
A prime example of this magic can be seen in the western version of Christmas sales and decorations. Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas but the culture of celebrating spiritual happiness through increased economic activity is a special gift from Europe and the USA.
The Middle East caught on to the trend set by these demigods of economy long ago and attached spirituality, celebration and happiness to Special Eid and Welcome Ramadan sales.
It can be debated wether attaching economic activity to religiosity and religious rituals increases or decreases their spirituality but the reality tells its own story.
The amount of oppression ,deprivation, suffering and war our times have seen are not news to anyone.
Happiness is sought. Happiness is bought.
Even though the fact remains that it has to be achieved. Yet how many are happy remains to be proven.
Coming to what we consider Ramadan celebrations and how we prepare for it is apparent in how we sanctify the secularity of it all.
Pakistan is still relatively free of this economic fervour but catching on fast.
The personalised designer Ramadan cakes( a whole business now). The special decorations, wall hangings, prayer mats which started as a personalised need to maintain Muslim identity in multicultural societies is now a full blown business with increased focus on the apparent.
Ramadan is an extremely private time for a Muslim. Our fast is so private that it’s ajar is between Allah and the person alone.
This does not at all aim to negate any apparent celebration to mark its presence but ostentatious frivolity and display certainly negates the simplicity and soul nourishing nature of the month.
What does Ramadan mean to you ?
(Please feel free to respectfully disagree, debate ( logically) or share alternate views)
Saima Sher Fazal
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