Ramadan produces many charming episodes, not the least of which are the unexpected surprises one can encounter during a day of fasting or at evening prayers.
Once, my husband was praying in Dubai, and as he turned to his side to say salaam, as is part of the prayer, he saw Yusuf Islam, also known as the musician Cat Stevens, sitting next to him.
That episode goes to show that people may judge you by whatever measure they choose, but no one is separated in prayer.
Sometimes we can have misconceptions about Ramadan too. There is a tendency to think this is the only time of year that we should do good deeds.
However, as an old proverb goes, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” and the path to paradise is started by small deeds.
I learnt this lesson last week when I took my children to the Sharjah Science Museum.
Last time I’d been there was in 2009, when my daughters had attended summer camp at the museum.
As we walked into the facility, an official looked at us and said: “You came to the summer camp a few years ago, but you missed the last session, didn’t you? I remember, you were travelling, right?” he said.
I scanned my brain, desperately trying to remember.
He was right, but I had long forgotten we had missed one session of the summer season.
I had not even given a second thought to the fact that I might be due a refund for this and had long since chalked the money down as an informal donation to the museum.
The “guy at reception” – Mohamed Suleiman – had other ideas and for him, this money was an amanah, a trust that had to be returned.
He couldn’t forget it and, incredibly, had kept the money wrapped in a piece of paper for five years, waiting to return it to me. It was his good deed. There are many others who do similar work.
Another story is that of a man whose wife died in childbirth – leaving a newborn baby, a grieving husband and a hefty hospital bill. Again, people responded.
In total the man received donations worth far in excess of the outstanding debt.
But this story has an even sweeter end to it. The father, who could have taken the money and used it for himself, decided to give it to a little boy suffering from leukaemia to help him get treatment in the US.
Everyday, one hears similar stories of people who need help, support and advice.
And often, a force of brothers and sisters gather around this person to let them know that somebody is there for them.
You won’t see these people being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey or bragging about what they did to the world.
During Ramadan, this kind of good deed tends to increase significantly, but helping others or being a good friend and neighbour shouldn’t have to stop with Eid.
Every day, just look around and give back whatever you owe.
Help someone in need or just put a call out to a friend who you think might be feeling a little down, the reward might come to you in this world or the next.
Maryam Ismail is a sociologist and teacher who divides her time between the US and the UAE
