Author: riazahammed

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time for reflection, prayer, and fasting. It is a month that Muslims all over the world look forward to every year. While many people focus on the physical benefits of fasting, there are many spiritual benefits as well.

Fasting during Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink during the day. It is also about spiritual purification and self-reflection. Fasting helps us to develop self-discipline, self-control, and empathy for those who are less fortunate. It is a time to focus on our relationship with God and strengthen our faith and spirituality.

One of the most important aspects of Ramadan is the nightly prayers, known as Taraweeh. These prayers are performed after Isha (the night prayer) and are usually led by a knowledgeable and experienced Imam. Taraweeh prayers are an opportunity to connect with God on a deeper level, and to seek His forgiveness and guidance.

Ramadan is also a time for giving and charity. Muslims are encouraged to give to those in need, whether it be through Zakat (obligatory charity) or by volunteering at a local food bank or shelter. Giving to others is a way to purify our hearts and souls, and show gratitude for the blessings that we have been given.

Spirituality has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. Prayer and meditation have been found to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and to increase feelings of happiness and contentment. Ramadan provides a unique opportunity to focus on our spirituality and to reap the benefits of this practice.

Ramadan is a time for spiritual growth and self-reflection. Fasting helps us to develop self-discipline and empathy, while the nightly prayers and acts of charity help us to connect with God and with our fellow human beings. By focusing on our spirituality during this month, we can improve our mental health and well-being, and live a more peaceful and fulfilling life. So, let us embrace this blessed month with open hearts and minds, and let us strive to be the best that we can be.

Here is the Link to the Poem About Ramadan

After spending all night with some wicked computer programs I thought I need to get some sleep and took my phone to set the alarm… There I saw an old phrase I wrote in my WhatsApp … The title of the poem. That was a good start. This is a poem about the long-lost soul trying to grab onto whatever one can get a grip on and survive the onslaught of the wicked world.

Here is the Link to the Poem.

On Another Note:
Ramadan will start on Wednesday. And in about a week from then, I will take a break to stay with my brother and his wife in Kansas. Unless something big happens, I will stay there through the end of Ramadan. Some people say life is crazy and we blew up most of our opportunities. They all forget the element of God in all these things. I remember reading this.
Once Moosa Alaihisslaam(Moses) had some serious stomach pain and he prayed to Allah to help him. Allah told him to go and find a particular herb and consume it. The pain went away. After some time Moosa Alaihissalam had the same kinda pain and he went and took the herb. This time the pain doubled and then he prayed to Allah again this time with a complaint too. He asked, “Oh’, Allah the same herb is now giving me double the pain”. Allah said “Oh Moosa, last time you asked me so my blessing was on the herb so it healed you. This time you didn’t ask me you went directly to the herb. The herb in itself has no healing power. When you took that herb by my command, actually it is me who healed you”.
Take a lesson from that. There is nothing that can happen anywhere in the universe without the knowledge and permission of Allah. And Allah always finds an Earthly reason for his actions. Many of my readers who are not Muslims may call Allah different names but God is the truth, the absolute power. Keep that in mind.

This is a poem written about an amazingly beautiful girl called Katya from St.Petersburg, Russia. Working with her was not that easy, she doesn’t know English very well, so our communication was erratic. I didn’t ask her to sit with me and chat with me for a long time. I asked her to go around St.Petersburg and take selfies. She came back with some stunning pictures. They were not selfies. It was a professional photographer who took those pictures. I looked at one of those pictures and wrote this poem. Unfortunately, the photographer and Katya didn’t agree with me in using the picture with the poem. So I needed to use another picture.

Here is the Link to the Poem.

On Another Note:
Life is a journey that is intricately woven into the fabric of time and space. As we move forward, our actions and thoughts leave an imprint on the vast expanse of our existence. Sometimes, these imprints are pleasant and enriching, but other times they can be burdensome and overwhelming. However, as we navigate through the twists and turns of life, it is important to remember that we can always find sweetness even in the most challenging moments.
Over the past year, many of us have experienced events that were unpleasant, difficult, and trying. From personal struggles to global crises, there were times when it felt like the weight of the world was bearing down on us. But despite these challenges, we persevered, we adapted, and we found ways to carry on.
For those of us who have lived for several decades, such as myself, we know that this is not the first time we have faced adversity. We have experienced loss, heartbreak, and disappointment, and yet, we have learned to find sweetness in what was given from a burdened event. We have learned that even when life feels like a heavy weight pressing down on us, we can find joy and happiness if we choose to look for it.
One way to find sweetness in difficult moments is to focus on the lessons that we can learn from them. Every challenge we face is an opportunity to grow and evolve, to become stronger and more resilient. When we face adversity, we can choose to let it defeat us, or we can use it as a catalyst for positive change.
Another way to find sweetness in difficult moments is to connect with others. We all need support and encouragement, especially during challenging times. By reaching out to friends, family, or even strangers, we can find comfort, inspiration, and hope. In turn, we can also offer support and kindness to others who may be struggling.
Ultimately, life is a journey that is filled with both joy and sorrow. The burdens of our actions and thoughts will bend space and time itself, but it is up to us to choose how we respond to those burdens. We can let them defeat us, or we can find sweetness even in the most challenging moments. By focusing on the lessons we can learn and by connecting with others, we can find joy, happiness, and meaning in our journey through life.

I found a model doing a live show online and during that time I saw something very unusual… As I looked at her, the girl was trying to get an earring out of her ear. It was stuck and she was in tremendous pain. I could see the tears in her eyes and the frustration on her face. This scene inspired me to write this poem.

Here is the Link to the Poem.

On Another Note:
Ramadan is almost here and it is with tremendous enthusiasm I am waiting to start the month of fasting, prayers, and meditation. I may go to Kansas and spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law. Their kids are all grown up one is working in Chicago and the other is in studying in Virginia.
The cobblers of Facebook and me are at odds. First, my best friend’s business account got hacked, and even when I got the VP involved they couldn’t do shit to get that account restored. Second, I got my account restricted for no particular reason I can reasonably think of. Third, they block sharing links from LonelyPoet.Com on Facebook saying the link may not be secure. The stupidity is, I found a way around this by using apps on Facebook itself. How can I not call these cobblers profanity? Their system sucks and I hope that company goes bankrupt soon.