More about Ramadan

Photo by Tim Lippis on Unsplash

Last week I was having trouble finishing my post about Ramadan. I asked my YOUfriends; what they wanted to read about Ramadan. I got a lot of great feedback and was inspired to make a second post about Ramadan with more details about the Holy Month.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Hijri (Lunar) calendar. Our months begin when we see the crescent moon. It marks the beginning of a month. That’s why we look for the moon before each month. Our months have either 29 or 30 days and every year is unique. Gregorian calendar follows the sun and that’s why it’s the same every year and the season are connected to them. It’s interesting because when I was a kid Ramadan was during the winter months. So, the days were shorter and cooler and it was easier to fast. This year is cooler than the past couple of years and we are grateful for that.

Also, we go buy the date of the prophet Mohammed PBUH’s pilgrimage to the city Madinah. So, this year is 1444 Hijri which means it’s been 1444 years since the Prophet Mohammad PBUH made his pilgrimage from Mecca to Madinah.

Fasting this month is the 4th pillar of Islam, which means it is a very important part of Islam. Ramadan is a spiritual month. A month of worship. It’s a month to get closer to God (Allah) We fast during the day while living our lives as usual. With small modifications, mainly because of the hot weather. In Saudi Arabia work days/ schooldays are a little shorter. Any professions that require work outdoors (e.g. construction workers) must work during the evening, after break-fast. At sunset, when we here the call of prayer. (Athan, we break our fast. Traditionally we eat a date first. In Saudi Araba & many Arab countries we drink liquid yoghurt (laban) with our dates. The slightly sour flavor goes perfectly with the sweetness of the date. You can break your fast on any type of food, it is a tradition of the Prophet PBUH to start with “Rutab” (ripe, soft dates) or tamr “ (ripe, sundried dates) or water.

Some traditional foods we eat during this month are; soups, salads, sambousa with different fillings. We also tend to eat sweets with coffee after taraweeh.  Every family has slightly different traditions when it comes to what and when we eat. In general, we have two main meals. One is usually a light meal and the other is the main meal.

Ramadan evenings are a time for praying. In Islam praying “salah” is a physical action. There are specific movements and prayers (supplications) we say. Verbal prayers in Arabic is Du’a’. So, I f I say pray I mean the physical prayer. If I say Du’a’ it means verbal prayer.

During the month of Ramadan, we have a special prayer that we only pray during this month: Taraweeh. We pray it after our last prayer for the day: Isha. You can pray at the mosque, or at home by yourself. I have been praying at home since I became a mom because I know that young children don’t have the patience to stay quiet and still for so long, . When my kids grow older thy start going to the mosque with their father and grandmother. I honestly enjoy praying at home, even when I have little companions playing around me. The prayer ends with a Du’a’ where you are simply standing in the hands of God asking for whatever you want. We do focus on strengthening our connection with God, gaining his love and reaching the highest levels in Heaven. We also pray for worldly things like our health, families and prosperity. We pray for the world. Especially war-stricken countries. We prayed a lot for the world throughout the pandemic.

The Quran was first revealed to the prophet Mohammed PBUH in the month of Ramadan. We don’t know the exact date. We believe it is one of the last ten night of Ramadan. That night is named “Laylat al Qadr’ (the night of power or the night of decree) Allah informed us that praying on that night equals 1000 months of prayer which is a high honor Muslims hope to obtain by praying taraweeh and tahajud prayers.

The month isn’t only about fasting and praying, it is about checking on those less fortunate and supporting them however they need. It is about connecting with neighbors, who in Islam are very important. The prophet PBUH emphasized the importance of being a good neighbor. Ramadan is about connecting with family, which doesn’t necessarily mean big family gatherings and extravagant meals. It means asking about one another and checking on each other. Being there to support each other and share our journey of worship throughout this month.

I love that my oldest son walks his grandmother to the mosque, she prefers walking and likes to go early so she can walk at her own pace. It’s a short walk. I’m grateful my son has this chance to share these walks with her. I’m grateful that my kids get to see their uncles almost daily as they come over after praying together at the same mosque in our neighborhood to say hi and share a cup of Arabic coffee and a date or a dessert if we’ve made any. It’s about being together, precious time spent with family. Family drop by during the day sometimes just to check in on my mother in law. We are all fasting, they just drop by for a quick chat and leave. These connections are priceless.

To Muslims, the month of Ramadan seems to be the shortest month of the year. It flies by and before we know it, we are looking for the crescent moon to know if we will be fasting 30 days or only 29. After a month of Fasting and prayers, we prepare for Eid our first holiday of the year. A celebration of a blessed month of fasting and praying. God’s gift to us.

I hope this has opened a little window into what Ramadan is to us, to me. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.