By Shariffa Carlo
In previous articles, we explored some of the spiritual, emotional and even physical reasons why Muslims are thrilled by the prospect of spending their days depriving themselves of food, drink and other physical pleasures and their nights spent in prayer and camaraderie. In this section we will focus on the prayers and the Quran, which started it all.
Ramadan and the night prayers
Many of the people I questioned mentioned the night prayers. In Ramadan, we have a set of prayers which are extra blessings. During the year, those who make them a part of their daily prayers, normally do them alone. In Ramadan, it is highly encouraged to do so as a group, with others. For me, personally, and for most of the people who responded to my survey, it is something we fear we may not have a chance to enjoy and experience this year.
For most Muslims, the communal night prayers, where we stand, bow and prostrate ourselves in the ultimate humility and submission to our Lord, isn't a duty, it is a divine pleasure. I will undoubtedly feel the deprivation of this, this year, more than anything else I may have lost through quarantine.
Traditionally, many of us go to different mosques to listen to the Quran recitations of the various reciters. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the beautiful sounds of the Quran recited by a master, do a search online and just listen. It's glorious. My favorites include: Mishary Rashid Al-Afasy, Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, and Yasser Al-Dossery.
Ramadan and the Quran
Ramadan is known as the Month of the Quran. The Quran was originally revealed in Ramadan. It's also the month we believe that the Angel Gabriel, peace be upon him, would review the Quran with the Prophet, peace be upon him, every night. Most of us, Muslims, try to emulate this by trying to finish reading, understanding, reciting and implementing it completely during Ramadan.
"The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. (21:85)
On a personal note, even before I became a Muslim, I had heard the Quran recited fabulously by an expert reciter. It was a sublime experience that touched me to my soul. Just hearing it, without meaning, left me covered with a kind of tranquility and peace I had never experienced before. I whole-heartedly, agree with those I surveyed, Ramadan, this month of delving into the Quran is something that I truly look forward to, as a means of expanding my mind and my soul.
Ramadan and Umra
Umra is a mini pilgrimage to the Kaaba, the sacred house in Saudi Arabia, built by Abraham (peace be upon him) and his son, Ismael. We were informed by our Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him), that umra in Ramadan is equal in blessings to Hajj (large pilgrimage) with him. So far, it doesn't look like the Kaaba will be open to visitation this year, but as, Muslims, we know that "deeds are by intention", so if we have the intention that we would have gone, we will be blessed as if we had gone.
Ramadan for kids
Last, but not least, I would be reticent to forget, I did receive a couple of extra surveys from Abdul Rahman, Sarah and Hana Fahad (ages 9, 7 and 4 respectively) who let me know that they enjoy the praying, the giving to the poor, the food, the pretty party dresses (Sarah), the Eid money gifts (Eideeyahs) and the watermelon (Hana), which is apparently one of those personal family Ramadan food traditions I spoke about. They hit on many of the same things others enjoyed with a few extras.
I've gone through the major reasons many Muslims look forward to a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, a month of extra hours' worth of prayers, a month of extra reading, extra charity and extra work. But I don't want to forget that at the end of it all, it is the faith Muslims have in their belief in God and their personal trust that His promise is true that is truly at the base of the anticipation for Ramadan.
- Courtesy of the TIES Center: The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking Muslims in Kuwait and aims at empower Kuwait's expats through social and educational services that promote a positive and productive role in society, and to facilitate opportunities for intra- and interfaith interactions that promote social solidarity. For more information, you can contact TIES at Tel: 25231015/6; Hotline: 94079777; e-mail: info@tiescenter.net.