(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Pakistani expat Danish Sheikh, 28, who works as a senior marketing executive at a bank in Dubai, follows the same routine whilst he's fasting during the holy month of Ramadan: a life that is always on the go - with meetings left and right, constant communication and follow-up with clients.
But more important than his busy schedule is a life dedicated to worship and reflection. He says that the blessed month of Ramadan is very honourable and important to invest on good deeds. "Those who do good deeds in this holy month will be blessed with doing such deeds all year round. Therefore we should consider this month as an opportunity to perform as many acts of worship as we can; to do good deeds which Allah likes, and make this month as an opportunity for earning an eternal life," Danish tells Khaleej Times.
"The rewards given for the voluntary prayer, remembrance of Allah, giving alms, and all other good deeds done during holy month are like those given for the obligatory ones done in other months. One obligatory act of worship done in this month is like tenfold obligatory acts of worship done in other months," he adds.
Danish shares that his workload during Ramadan is the same as in other months only that he has to finish his tasks at a shorter time as his clients have shorter working hours.
He wakes up at 3.15am for Suhoor, then prepares for the dawn prayers. He starts work at 9am and on average meets face-to-face around seven to 10 people and makes at least 40 client calls everyday during Ramadan. Sometimes he travels to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah and goes around Dubai by metro, bus, taxi and walking.
Work is at least six hours and usually ends at 3pm followed by an afternoon nap from 4.30 to 6pm. Danish reads the Quran before Adhan and he breaks his fast with his house mates in Burjuman. After Iftar, he goes for a walk and Taraweeh prayers at the nearby mosque. Day ends for him at 11.30pm.
"When I'm out at work, sometimes, during middays, I really feel very thirsty but that is not the thing which can weaken my strength or make me feel less energetic. It makes me even more strong and happy because I know the more I feel thirsty or hungry the more my Allah will be happy with me," Danish shares.
"As a Muslim, fasting is my religious obligation and I feel happy and honoured to fulfill this obligation," shares Danish, adding: "Nothing can be more satisfying for a Muslim than to seek Allah's forgiveness by controlling one's thirst, hunger and other desires."
"My faith and dedication makes me strong. I do fasting religiously because the reward is more than my patience. Fasting helps me control me passions and desires and I believe that the recompense of a good deed is a good deed whilst the recompense of a bad deed is a bad deed. If my actions and behaviour will improve, then it will mean that my fasting is successful," he underlines.
True to form as a good and pious son, Danish invited his parents to come to Dubai from Karachi before the start of Ramadan. "My parents (Mr and Mrs Abdul Majeed) visited me for a couple of days then we went to Saudi for Umrah. I was able to fulfill my parents' wish after saving enough money as a result of doing three years of work here in Dubai," he says.
"This Eid, Inshallah, I will come home to Pakistan and give my parents a surprise and celebrate Eid with them," Danish concludes.
Angel Tesorero
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