Guest Post: Kashaf Asim on Ramadan

A week ago, I asked Kashaf Asim to write a guest post me after I read one written by her. And she said yes, and got onto quite a qood topic and emailed it to me earlier today. 

I assure you she will read the comments here, and would appreciate if you go on to her blog afterwards.


Ramadan always has held a special place in my heart. I’ve waited for it and conversed about it with my friends for hours. When I was a child, I used to read about Ramadan before the Partition and it enthralled me. I’ve always accepted tones of sepia more readily than my present and I wanted Ramadan in my home to be as truly magical and serene as it was back in simpler times. That obviously resulted in hapless pleas to my mother to make Sahoor and Iftaar the epitome of desi food. And that’s what I tried to do last year when I was finally old enough to manage the kitchen before waking up my parents from their slumber for Sahoor.

Ramadan is truly gratifying month and it makes me constantly remind that whatever bad I do; it’s on me. It is my deceitful nature; something which I cannot shove upon Shaitaan. I’ve made plethora of promises to myself in this month and even though I’m unable to keep them throughout the year; I’m glad that I do end up being a changed person after every time this month ends.

Since last year; I’ve began to realize the true essence of Ramadan. For me this month of blessing isn’t anymore about consuming lavish cultural food or sleeping throughout the day while fasting. Ramadan for me is now about renewing the connection with our Lord. It’s about reinstating my ties with Him. Last year when I went through a serious phase of depression during this month, I realized how very forgiving Allah is; the epitome of mercifulness. Whenever I sat down on the prayer mat to thank Him for His blessings it horrified me to think that I could never ever thank for each and every blessing bestowed upon an undeserving me. He truly loves each and every one of us. The month of Ramadan is the month when I truly feel Him around me, listening to every prayer I make and being ever aware of the smallest tear I shed. The rest of the year; for me is to maintain the connection I’ve made with our Lord but every year I fail. This year, I firmly resolve to maintain it and push aside the worldly frivolities. If He is there then I don’t need anyone else. He knows what’s best for me.

I feel I couldn’t have been better prepared for this month than now. I’m going through a hard time, fighting inner battles and it feels as if my heart is fading away. The month of blessings starts fromtoday in Pakistan and I’m so very excited yet grieved as my nation is fighting with its own people. Times are hard everywhere and hence, let’s pray frivolously for our fellow brothers and sisters who are away from their homes and beloveds. Let’s pray that this Ramadan is a truly gratifying experience for them and us and let’s pray that the strength of the Muslim Ummah is renewed after this Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak to all my fellow Muslims!

Kashaf Asim a.k.a Cogitated Birdie is an avid procrastinator and a shameless stalker. She is lover of tea and paani puri and resides in Karachi, Pakistan. She is currently studying pre-medical and is in the pursuit of reviving her love for Urdu and Pakistani heritage