{"id":110,"date":"2011-08-29T18:59:23","date_gmt":"2011-08-29T22:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/commonwordcommonlord\/?p=110"},"modified":"2011-08-29T18:59:23","modified_gmt":"2011-08-29T22:59:23","slug":"last-day-of-ramadan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/last-day-of-ramadan\/","title":{"rendered":"Last Day of Ramadan"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful<\/em><\/p>\n

It is amazing that it is finally here: the final day of the month of fasting. Indeed, it did seem to go by quickly, yet at the same time, however, the days of fasting seemed to never want to end. I am not going to put on a show for you: this year’s fast was quite difficult. The days were very long, and as they went along, I would seem to move in slow motion in the afternoon. I must admit that I am a bit excited to be able to eat and drink during the day once again.<\/p>\n

Yet, I did my best. I tried to remain faithful to the fast as much as I could. And even when I did stupid things (like play golf in 98 degree heat) while fasting, never once did I even think about breaking my fast. I stuck with it as best I could because, for my entire life, the Precious Beloved stuck with me through thick and thin.<\/p>\n

And so, as Muslims the world over are (or will be) celebrating the end of the month of fasting, I turn to the Precious Beloved in prayer:<\/p>\n

Kind and Beautiful, Gracious and Merciful, Majestic and Mighty Precious Beloved LORD OUR GOD.
\nThe end of the month of fasting has now come, and I turn to your Beautiful Face to ask Your pardon.<\/p>\n

Forgive me, O LORD, for all the times I wished I was not fasting, because of the depth of thirst and pain of hunger.
\nForgive me, O LORD, for all those times that I could not stand up in the night in prayer because of weakness, or fatigue, or laziness
\nForgive me, O LORD, for all the times I did not fast completely as I should have fasted, even though You have given me so much
\nForgive me, O LORD, for all the times when I did not fully live up to the standard by which You have asked me.<\/p>\n

Precious Beloved LORD, I tried my best to be the best servant I can be, and I know I could have done better for Your sake, my Lord. And so I ask thee, my Beautiful Beloved Lord, to forgive me and accept me into Your Holy and Honorable Fold. I tried my best this year, O LORD, and so please accept me and my fast, my prayers, my charity, and my night vigils.<\/p>\n

Beautiful Beloved LORD, I love you so very, very much because You have been so beautiful to me for my whole life. And because You, O Beautiful LORD, loved me first when I was nothing. LORD, thank you for every single thing in my life; LORD, thank you for Your Love; and LORD, thank you very, very much for the fast. Please make me a better person because of it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful It is amazing that it is finally here: the final day of the month of fasting. Indeed, it did seem to go by quickly, yet at the same time, however, the days of fasting seemed to never want to end. 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Hassaballa","description":"Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago doctor and writer. He has written extensively on a freelance basis, being published in newspapers across the country and around the world. He has been a Beliefnet columnist since 2001, and has written for the Religion News Service. He is also a columnist for Patheos. His articles have been distributed worldwide by Agence Global, and he was also a guest blogger for The Chicago Tribune and has blogged on ChicagoNow\" . In addition, Dr. Hassaballa has appeared as a guest on WTTW (Channel 11) in Chicago, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and National Public Radio. Dr. Hassaballa is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday), and his essay, \u201cWhy I Love the Ten Commandments,\u201d was published in the award-winning book Taking Back Islam (Rodale). His latest book, Noble Brother, is the story of the Prophet Muhammad told entirely in poetry, and it is now published in its second edition. 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