Wifely Duty?

Bismillah

Unfortunately culture permeates into religious practices all too often. During Ramadan this proves no different. Wives are often expected to fix special meals for the family to break fast with (called iftars). Instead of focusing on Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala, she's often slaving away in the kitchen half the day. Ridiculous! It's almost ironic... Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala has granted us this holy month of Ramadan as a great blessing, in which we obstain from that which would distract us from that gift. Yet women are often guilted/bullied out of their full ability to take advantage of them by one of the very things they're obstaining from.

All of you ladies out their being forced into such a situation, please don't negate the wonderful spiritual opprotunites of Ramadan for such nonsense. Who cares what people might say or whose feathers you might ruffle. You're gaining much more, inshAllah.

That said, I actually usually enjoy preparing iftar. More than any other time of the year, I find myself happiest making dinners during Ramadan. There is just something about everyone so eagerly looking forward to your food!

For those of us preparing iftars this Ramadan, this should bring a smile to your face inshAllah:

It might also prove useful as a "thank you" note for a hosted iftar, or a nudge to your husband or child to take over the cooking one night!