Ramadan diaries: This month has blessed us with meaningful realisations, says Dubai-based freelancer

Her six-year-old daughter Minnah has started getting up for Suhoor and also fasts half-day for now.

Dubai-based freelance writer Nimra Minhaj said her family is making the most of the holy month by focusing all their energies on their little one who is now gearing up to begin fasting herself.
"Although my daughter has been enthusiastic about Ramadan every year, this year she is truly experiencing the essence of it as we are all staying home and praying together, giving her much needed attention and educating her verbally and practically about why we really fast, " said Minhaj.
Her six-year-old daughter Minnah has started getting up for Suhoor and also fasts half-day for now in order to experience and practise fasting. "Till last year she would have to get up early for school and then by the time she came back from school, she would get too tired to think about fasting. With the schools closed, she is more focused on the holy month and makes it a point to get up for Suhoor. Her excitement level is up as she is gaining a better understanding of the holy month now, seeing us fast and also by learning as we spend more time with her explaining the details of what we do and why."
After understanding the concept of fasting, salah (prayer) and zakat (charity), Nimra said her daughter Minnah has made a donation box for the less fortunate people, where she deposits money regularly.
"She has made a dedicated prayer area in one corner of the house during Ramadan, where we all pray together every day," Minhaj said.
"We had a conversation with her about people left without jobs and have no means of making ends meet. We explained how this beautiful month reminds us of helping such people and how staying without food feels. She is now able to understand the predicament of the less fortunate and is praying more fervently for things to get okay and is also keen on helping the needy. This has been a rewarding experience as getting the concepts right at a young age is crucial in determining their future course of life."
Minhaj, who stays with her husband and two daughters, said she feels her faith is getting strengthened this time more so as there are no distractions of Suhoor and Iftar parties. "I really feel the bond with my Creator this time as we dwell more on the Holy Quran, pray together as a family, read and understand more about prayer, compassion and generosity toward others. I feel a real boost in our level of faith and also our empathy factor, especially in these tough times when many are suffering financially, physically and mentally. And with renewed spirits, we aim to help as many people as we can.
Minhaj believes that whatever God does has wisdom behind it and she is hopeful things will bounce back very soon. "We have learnt to adapt to new norms, we have discovered new sides to ourselves, we are getting to spend more quality time with our family, all these are blessings that we once took for granted and didn't maybe value before. It has truly been a precious and memorable Ramadan for us as a family," Minhaj concluded.
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Ramadan 2021