For many, Ramadan is synonymous with sacrifice and hunger. These concepts are certainly a part of the holy month, but such descriptions don't quite do it justice. After all, it's not just a period of time during the year where Muslims endure hunger and thirst and practice self-discipline. Simply put: Ramadan is not solely about what one doesn't do and what one goes without; what is perhaps even more important is everything that the fasting individual does during this sacred month.
Most Muslims consume two meals a day during Ramadan, including a morning meal prior to commencing one's fast at dawn (sahoor) and an evening meal to break one's fast after sunset (iftar). But what happens before, after, and in between these meals - besides excessive napping, of course? All jokes aside, members of the Muslim community have plenty to focus on during the remaining 20+ hours of the day.
Days of Devotion
The month of Ramadan is a month of giving, a month of worship, and the month of the Qur'an. Whether you visit a Muslim household or a local mosque, you're sure to find families and individuals quietly reading the Islamic sacred text, viewed as the Word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of 32 years. With 114 chapters containing over 6,600 verses, this divine revelation is celebrated and commemorated throughout the month as Muslims recall the day on which the Prophet Muhammad first received his message - a day which occurred during the lunar month of Ramadan. Whether an individual reads the holy book, memorizes verses to use in daily prayer, studies Qur'anic commentary, or listens to scholarly lectures, engaging this text is central to the Ramadan routine. Seeking knowledge by carefully reflecting on essential themes helps Muslims apply God's Word to everyday life.In addition to the Qur'an, many Muslims spend their days doing charitable works both formally and informally. Individuals might volunteer with organizations in the area or contribute to international relief efforts via monetary donations, but they might also treat loved ones and strangers with kindness. A popular proverb in Islam, adapted from a reported saying of the Prophet, states that smiling is in fact of form of charity. There is a strong sense of brotherhood and sisterhood within the global community, and Muslims are constantly encouraged to behave in a gentle, patient, thoughtful, and generous manner. Helping out a family member or doing a good deed for someone you just met could be as beneficial and significant as spending a few hours at a soup kitchen.
Nights of Remembrance
As the sun dips below the horizon, Muslims break their fast with water and a small snack (traditionally, a date) before performing an obligatory prayer. This is typically followed by dinner, though some Muslims may choose to consume a variety of foods before praying, as long as the ritual prayer occurs during its assigned interval. Food and good company are present in homes, at mosques where community iftars take place, and at restaurants.One ritual beyond fasting that sets Ramadan apart is taraweeh (sometimes spelled tarawih). This is a special prayer service that takes place every night of the holy month wherein 1/30th of the Qur'an is recited daily so as to complete the text in its entirety by the end of Ramadan. Although optional, many Muslims who are able to do so take advantage of this highly recommended ritual, filling up mosques and community centers for 30 consecutive nights. It can be physically demanding in terms of the length of time spent in various ritual positions as well as the overall fatigue experienced due to many late nights of reflection and early mornings for sahoor, but the unity among those praying and the sense of inner peace acquired are well worth the discipline.
Those who are unable to attend taraweeh have a variety of options for nightly activities, including dhikr and dua. The former refers to repeating certain Arabic words and phrases in an effort to remember God and meditate upon His nature and qualities, while the latter is a term for supplications, directly translated as "Calling on God." Muslims worldwide are encouraged to ask for forgiveness, to seek guidance from God, and to pray for those who are ill or those who may be experiencing hardship.
So while we might grab a pillow and succumb to our fatigue from time to time, Ramadan is filled with days and nights where Muslims strive to increase their spirituality and improve their character. It's a month of renewal. Just two days ago, I was sorting through boxes in my bedroom containing items which were once incredibly significant and close to my heart. I realized that it was time to move beyond some of the emotions and memories attached to these things, so I began tossing out certain items in the midst of revamping my room - a process which started a few months back. I wasn't able to let go previously, but now, during this sacred time, I understand more than ever the importance of maintenance.
- We clean our closets and maintain our rooms, which house intimate possessions, because we strive to create the best possible atmosphere in which to exist. Likewise, we must maintain our contentment and cleanse our hearts and minds, even as we and the world around us are constantly evolving. It isn't about wiping away the past or pretending that it never happened, but about recognizing that yesterday was there to guide us, not define us. We learn, and we move forward. Ramadan is that opportunity to build, cleanse, reshape, and renew.
This month is not just a tale of two meals. It's a tale of the many forms of devotion and remembrance we engage in and all the lessons we learn and carry with us. It's a story that continues to be crafted and revised, year after year, until it is our time to leave this earth.
