Ramadan: The month of the Quran and fasting

The ritual of fasting, the third pillar of Islam, is observed each year by Muslims throughout the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The period of fasting each day lasts from the first light of dawn until sunset. In the hours of fasting, Muslims abstain from any food, drink or intimacy. This teaches a lesson in endurance, and strengthens the Muslims' capacity for patience and fortitude. 

Fasting strengthens the will to do good and helps a believer get closer to God. We fast all month long except for the days that we are either sick, or travelling or when ladies are on their periods or postpartum bleeding. For fasting, we eat early morning before Fajr time starts. And then until maghrib time, no food, water or physical intimacy. Maghrib time is like a mini celebration when we eat and enjoy food and family time. It is encouraged to share some food for the evening time with friends, family, neighbors and those in need. 

Besides fasting, Ramadan is a month of engaging more with the Quran and increasing in supplications (duas) to God. The first revelation of Quran came in this month, and to commemorate this Muslims try to listen to, read, recite and study the Quran as much as possible in Ramadan. Throughout this month, and especially in the last 10 days, we pray a lot and make lots of duas from Allah. We ask Him for all our needs and more. 

It is a month when the devils are chained and good deeds are multiplied in rewards. So lots of charity and good deeds, both small and big, are encouraged in this month. This could be as little as a smile or a good encouraging word or a gift to someone or helping any person or animal or any other creation of Allah.  

During the day, we are learning to control our legitimate needs and desires, developing discipline and patience and realizing the hardships of those who do not have access to clean food or water. First 3-4 days sometimes are a bit tough physically but then it becomes easier. There are several amazing health benefits that have been discovered regarding fasting. In fact, the concept of intermittent fasting was developed after studying the fasting patterns of Muslims. 

Muslims try to pray additional voluntary prayers in this month in addition to the five obligatory prayers. The prayers in the middle of the night are called tahhajjud or Qiyam-ul-layl, prayers in day time after sunrise and before dhuhr prayer are called Duha (also called Ishraq if prayed 15-20 min after sunrise or Chast if prayed nearer to dhuhr time). There are also taraweeh prayers help in many masjids and Muslim organizations. These prayers are in the late evenings, usually isha time, when 8 or 20 units are prayed throughout the month. In these prayers, people from the community who have memorized the whole Quran cover to cover lead the prayers. During the prayers, they start from the beginning of the Quran, and through the month they complete the recitation of the whole Quran at least once. Taraweeh time is also a time to meet others in the community and connect with others. There is a sense of togetherness and support that Muslims feel when we pray next to each other. The day of completion of the Quran is a time when the imam (the one leading the Salah) makes dua for himself and the whole community and mankind. The congregation praying behind him joins together silently in this dua with raised hands. It is common for several people to get emotional during this dua and feel a special connection with Allah and thankfulness towards Him for His blessings, especially the blessing of the Quran.

There is a kind of peace and tranquility that hearts feel in Ramadan which is unique and beautiful. Those who feel it wait for this month all year long. Parents try to make it a time of good memories for their children. There is no harm in decorating a small corner of your room/ house, baking special goodies, have some reading time together, and generally talking about good positive things or doing some sort of charitable good deed as a family - depending on the age and aptitude of family members.

The central idea of Ramadan overall is that we learn to control our bodily needs and desires for a limited period of time. And invest our time and energies into feeding our soul. Through Quran, dua, extra prayers, good deeds, spending good time with family, community, thanking and praising God for His blessings, forgiving others and seeking forgiveness for our shortcomings. Therefore it is also a time when we can take steps for our personal development i.e. trying to get rid of any bad habits or letting go of any anger or past hurts or develop some positive characteristics of patience, perseverance, piety etc. 

It is a blessed month in which we strive for lots and lots of spiritual gains. Its like an annual retreat of a believer. Our pious predecessors used to spend half of the year preparing for Ramadan and the rest half of the year reaping the benefits of Ramadan. It was their love towards this month, that when mentioning each other’s age, they would not say like so-and-so is 50 years old but say that so-and-so has seen 50 Ramadans. We have good hopes and expect that a believer who passes away during Ramadan will be given a good Afterlife.

May Allah make this Ramadan or the coming Ramadan a beautiful and blessed time for you and your family and give you never ending rewards through it. 

Ameen 🤲🏻