RAMADAN IFTAR MEAL
His appointment was at the Iftar table, at his relative's house, and because of that close relationship, went to accompanied by his family. There he was before the Iftar cannon launch, so he would not be the cause, for them being late for their meal, their confusion, or change of their daily system. But he did not expect what happen! What occurred; did not disturb their system, but his personal one.
As it is his norm at his house, when hears the Athan from the nearby minaret, takes few number of dates with some butter milk or plain milk, following the prophet (pbah) traditions, to ease down the impact of food on him, so he is able to perform his prayers. Then he goes back to eat his heavy diner meal.
He had done the same at his relative's house, although he was seing the dishes and the utensils, of various recipes and items, placed next to each other on the Iftar table, which were saliva dropping and appetite movers. He did not notice that every house has its own specialty, and food system, even in Ramadan, although they are from one community. He was expected to adjust himself to the system of that house. It was just one day, to fulfill the duty of – kinship – relationship -and invitation. At that day he was a guest, and as said (the guest is under the command of the host), not the other way around. But he stood up going to his prayer as usual, when hearing the Iftar cannon.
Did not notice the eyes watching him, leaving his seat, as if they have astonished with what he had done, violating their traditions and customs, or as if he came up with an offense and he had deserved for it a punishment. His wife was not unable to deliver the message of those eyes to him, because he was not looking to her directly. He had left his seat, with joy and pleasure allover his looks, and the impact was spreading on the service of his face. Did not pay any attention to his wife, and did not ask himself, why she did not leave the table?! Or did she know the different custom between here and her home?! All his concern was to perform his duty.
After returning to his place at the table, he had to eat some of the food crumbs left, which did not support some of his strength. He was looking to his wife, with his eyes filled with exclamation and surprise, for the failure of the host to avoid confusion of what occurred. He was looking at him; with glint in his eyes, that suggested mockery and heat. As if he was saying: Are you trying to show your interest in pray more than us?! Everything passed quietly, as if something did not happen, and that was his mistake, and he had to carry the results. It was not the duty of the house owner to make any change, toward whom the banquet was held in his honor.
Did not say a word, controlled his outrage, and he could not insult his host. Waited and endured his hunger, until returning to his home, to complete his meal. Do not imagine the difference in habits and practices has reach this extent, even within one community. Could not understand and accommodate, how his relative did not care for the problem, and how he did not take care of his guest?!
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Leaving aside his Iftar, and was watching and waiting when his host will pray, one hour and twos had passed, but he did not move from his seat, as if he had a surfeit by what he had eaten. When it was for them to leave, after those two long hours, it was so difficult for him to move, trying to remove his body from the ground going to wash up. As if parts of his body had deserted each other and dispersed, and he was trying to collect them!
There he thanked his God –Allah - for granting him the strength, and making him resist the desire for food, in order to perform his religious duty. And he has sworn to himself, that he will not answer any other call for Iftar, unless it matches his food diet.
Written by: Noah Hussein Mashamea
