Ramadan Realization

Ramadan Realization

BY: Ubaid

Pinky and Romi were chatting happily, lost in their own little world. They were sure no one could hear them. In their minds, their mother was fast asleep. But they were wrong. Their mother was not only awake—she was listening carefully.

A mild headache had kept her from sleeping, so she was resting quietly on the sofa nearby. She was just about to tell the girls to stop talking when she realized what they were discussing. Curious and slightly concerned, she decided to stay silent and listen a little longer.

Pinky’s excited voice broke the silence.
“So, it’s settled then, Romi? After iftar, we’ll stay up all night—till suhoor! We’ll watch movies! I want to watch the dinosaur one again, and Aladdin! I just love that movie.”

“Done!” Romi replied eagerly. “And I’ve already downloaded a bunch of new games on my phone. It’ll be so much fun! We can play games during the day to pass the time while fasting.”

Pinky laughed. “Oh, that’s perfect! But hey—don’t you dare invite Nuriya! I really don’t like her. She acts like she’s some kind of princess, always showing off!”

Romi frowned a little. “But she’s our friend, and she lives near us. If she finds out we’re having fun without her, she might feel bad. If she wants to join, let her come.”

“Fine,” Pinky said with a sigh. “But we won’t give her much attention, okay?”

At this point, their mother had heard enough. She slowly sat up, her expression calm but serious.
The sudden sound startled both girls.

“Mom! You’re awake?” they said together, their eyes wide with surprise.

“I wasn’t sleeping,” their mother said firmly. “In fact, I’ve been listening to your plans for Ramadan. And I must say, I’m very disappointed.”

The cheerful faces of Pinky and Romi turned pale. They knew that tone of voice—Mom was angry.

“Do you girls even know what Ramadan means?” their mother asked softly, but her voice carried the weight of disappointment. “Do you understand why Allah has made fasting obligatory?”

Neither of them answered. They just looked down at their hands, embarrassed.

“Ramadan,” their mother continued, “is not a month for movies, games, and idle talk. It’s a time for reflection, self-control, and spiritual growth. It’s meant to train us—to make us better people, to teach us patience, kindness, and discipline. And yet here you are, planning nights of entertainment and gossip.”

Pinky tried to speak. “But, Mom, we were just—”

Her mother raised a hand gently. “Let me finish.”

“Do you know what else I heard? You were speaking badly about your friend, Nuriya. Talking behind someone’s back is called backbiting. It’s a terrible habit—even worse during Ramadan. You must never speak ill of someone who isn’t present to defend themselves. Do you think Allah is pleased when we talk about others this way?”

The girls looked at each other, guilt washing over their faces.

“Ramadan,” their mother said softly now, “is not just about staying hungry and thirsty. It’s about avoiding every bad habit—lying, gossiping, wasting time, and ignoring prayer. It’s about filling your heart with good deeds instead.”

She looked at them kindly but firmly. “Instead of watching movies, why not read a good book? Or help me prepare iftar? You could recite the Qur’an, pray, or even study to improve your grades. And most importantly—be kind, be respectful, and think of others who have less than you.”

There was a long silence in the room. The words hung in the air, sinking deep into the girls’ hearts.

Finally, Romi spoke first, her voice small and ashamed. “Mom… we’re sorry. We didn’t realize how wrong we were. We thought we were just having fun.”

“Yes, Mom,” Pinky added quickly. “We promise we won’t waste our time like that anymore. We’ll do what you said. We’ll try to spend Ramadan the right way.”

Their mother smiled gently. “That’s my girls. Ramadan is a gift from Allah. Don’t waste it. Make it meaningful.”

Pinky nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. Romi reached out and held her mother’s hand.

From that night onward, the two sisters changed their routine. Instead of watching movies, they helped their mother in the kitchen. After Taraweeh prayers, they spent time reading the Qur’an or listening to Islamic stories.

When they met Nuriya a few days later, they apologized to her sincerely and invited her to join their new plan—reading together after iftar and sharing small good deeds each day.

To their surprise, Nuriya was delighted. “That sounds wonderful! I’m so happy you thought of me,” she said warmly.

As Ramadan continued, Pinky and Romi realized that true happiness didn’t come from games or movies—it came from doing good, helping others, and feeling close to Allah.

On the night of Eid, their mother looked at them proudly. “See how peaceful you both look?” she said. “That’s the beauty of Ramadan—the peace that comes from doing what’s right.”

Pinky smiled. “You were right, Mom. This Ramadan really was special.”

And Romi added softly, “The best part is, we didn’t just fast with our stomachs—we fasted with our hearts too.”

Their mother hugged them both, whispering, “May Allah always keep you on the right path.”

Outside, the crescent moon of Eid shone brightly—a reminder that every heart can change, and that Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food, but about nourishing the soul.