How We Do Ramadan Wrong

It's that time of the year again, when we're supposed to be the best versions of ourselves. But despite the best of intentions there are certain behaviours that are all too common, and yet, go against the very spirit of Ramadan. 

1)Do you yell at rickshaw pullers, drivers, domestic workers and such? 
Ramadan dictates we control our anger, yet the all too common sight in the city is people yelling at their servers. It's reasonable to be frustrated over not getting your money's worth. But it's also rather unreasonable to yell (and often swear) when you can just as easily put across the same message through simple explanation. And maybe, when you're civil, the server might actually take you seriously and not get defensive? Earn sawab this Ramadan by not yelling at people!

2)Do you talk about people behind their backs? 
Maybe this is something that you do all throughout the year, and old habits die hard, but Ramadan is about self-improvement, which means no lying, no swearing, and definitely no talking about people behind their backs. Go talk to your friend if you're upset with them, rather than talking to everyone else about it instead. 

3)Do you shop all day, every day? 
This is more or less for the ones who want to make the best of the shopping deals offered this month. A little shopping once in a while is necessary, but spending the whole day at malls and shops is not. Ramadan is a time to practice abstinence. Shopping all day is a form of self-indulgence. You're not abstaining by indulging – simple logic. 

4)Do you judge other people for eating while you're fasting? 
Can we all make a pact not to do this, please? Our decision to fast is ours. Ramadan is about developing the capability to control our selves around food. Just because we choose to fast, doesn't mean other people cannot eat either. The whole point of this month is to develop self control, and if you don't have much of it – that's really saying something about you.