Moon Sighting

We often forget our blessings. We lose sight of how things work by His Grace. Miracles surround us everyday and yet we lose sight of how blessed we are to even witness a handful. Last night we turned our faces towards the sky in sweet anticipation. We held our breaths and watched the twinkling of stars and searched the sky for signs of another overlooked miracle. The fact that we looked, in itself, almost seems to BE the miracle.

I was speaking with a friend of mine over the phone late last night as we anxiously awaited the news of Ramadan (which in turn became the lack of news). She was voicing some frustration at the apparant lack of unity in the Muslim Ummah. "If we have such wonderful technology available, why can't we all KNOW when Ramadan IS and everyone, everywhere follow?" she asked. And so we began to explore that question (for that is the true blessing of having a great friendship: the ability to explore and speak freely and openly without fear of reprimand or hate). We could all follow ONE moon sighting. All Muslims in the world could go by any one country's sighting. We would not have to worry about the 'fighting' that happens in our Masjids nor the awkwardness of fasting a day before/after our brothers and sisters in another city/state/country.

"But that's not the point," I try to explain. For it is in this moment of frustration that I have an epiphany. It is not that we cannot have Ramadan together that frustrates us. It is the lack of love and sincere unity that frustrates us. And it is not because we do not fast on the same day that makes us lack unity, it is the feeling that we belong that is lacking. It is time for us to take control of our Ummah, for it is indeed ours. It is time that we take ownership for OUR actions as an Ummah. Once we do, it won't matter when we fast or what day we celebrate Eid. For then, and only then, will our actions matter and everything we do for our Muslim brothers and sisters be satisfying.

I have begun to think that Allah (SWT) has given us Ramadan for many reasons. And the miracle of our creation comes to mind. We have time to reflect on the greatness of the universe and the Great Creator. Reflection is a great thing. To look up at the stars and the moon and reflect on our lives. To know that God impacts our lives no matter how often we try to overlook Him. It seems that only on the night before Ramadan and the night before Eid do we really begin to reflect....

My thoughts can go on forever. And I feel that what I really wanted to say, I could not do successfully. But I have attempted to record this feeling. My reflections on the topic cannot be viewed as failure however. For to reflect is to gain success.....

Allah says in the Holy Quran that fasting was prescribed upon us so that we may gain Taqwa.


.......maybe in reflection there is taqwa.......