Madiha was stunned at the sight of the beautiful dresses put up on display on the shops.

“They’re so pretty!” she exclaimed.

There really was a wide array of clothes and outfits to choose from. With five heavy shopping bags, she entered yet another shop to buy a pretty white dress. Then she went to a nearby shop to buy some jewellery that matched with the dresses.

When she came out, she realised that her old school friend, Saba, whom she hadn’t met for more than eight months, lived close-by and decided to give her a quick visit. She bought her friend’s favourite biscuits from a nearby bakery and went to meet her dear friend.

“Madiha!” said Saba in a loud cheerful voice. Both friends were really happy to see each other.

“I’m so glad you came. Come in, come in!” Saba led her to the drawing room and asked her sister Mehak, to bring her a glass of chilled juice.

“How are you, Madiha?”

“I’m good,” said Madiha. “How’s college?”

“Good. And yours?”

“Good too!”

“So, what reminded you of me today,” Saba asked Madiha teasingly.

“Well, I was just shopping. And then I realised you lived so close by and decided to visit you.”

Saba frowned. “Hmm ... shopping? What for?”

Madiha was taken aback and asked, “What! Aren’t you shopping too? Ramazan is so close!”

Saba seemed confused, and inquired, “Why are you shopping so much for Ramazan!?”

“Dear! There will be so many occasions, like Iftar parties. If I wear the same clothes again, people will make fun of me!”

Saba was dumbstruck.

“And,” continued Madiha, “there’s so much grocery shopping left to do, too! My family wants at least six dishes everyday at Iftar! And obviously we can’t have the same dishes every day, so we have to try something new each day.”

Madiha then realised that her friend hadn’t spoken.

“Saba, what have you prepared for Ramazan?”

Saba smiled and said, “My dear friend, if this is what you think this blessed month is all about, then I am sorry to tell you that you’ve been preparing the wrong way. There is no need for new clothes; or making six or seven dishes on every Iftar. The month was bestowed on Muslims to make them gain self-control over worldly desires and submit to the will of Allah; to feel the pain and sufferings of the poor — not to satiate the unstoppable desires of tempting food in Iftar and Sehr.

“We should spend our time in doing good deeds and praying, not socialising at Iftar parties where the talk is usually about worldly affairs. And we should keep our food simple and for this we don’t need to buy anything in bulk or store in refrigerators, as our main focus is on other things.”

“Other things?” Madiha asked. “Like what?”

“Well, we fasted on some of the days of the months of Rajab and Shaban, an act which is full of benefits and blessings, and which also helps us prepare for the fasts of Ramazan. We pray and ask for God’s forgiveness before this holy month. We even distribute some grocery amongst the poor so that they can have good things to eat for Iftar.

“My mother, Mehak and I took out our good dresses and gave them to the maid and the poor so they’d also have a good outfit to wear on Eid. Ramazan isn’t about having fun, shopping, eating and staying up all night to have fun. It’s that special month that helps us get rid of our sins. Fasting also gives us physical benefits if we observe Ramazan the right way.

“Having so many dishes is just a way of wasting money. Instead, you could have just given that money to the needy. Ramazan is to make those of us who have the money feel for the poor and help them, not to make them feel even poorer by showing off things they can’t afford. This month is also meant to improve ties between people, especially the rich and poor.

“Plus, instead of staying up at night on social media till Sehr, isn’t it better that we worship, pray and do some good acts? And at Iftar, we can share our food with our neighbours, friends, family and the poor.

“We can try to be kinder to people around us, help those who need us and be humble. This is a month for worshiping and Eid as a celebration of all the good deeds we had done. Then you’ll see and feel the real essence of Ramazan.”

It was now Madiha’s turn to be dumbstruck. “Oh Saba! I wish I’d also thought that way. If only I hadn’t spend so much money and time on such useless stuff and paid more attention to the real purpose of Ramazan!”

“That’s okay, my friend,” said Saba. “There’s still time.”

“I feel sorry for being so selfish and ignorant. And now I know what I am going to do with the clothes and groceries I bought,” Madiha said with a smile.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 18th, 2019