Let's reflect and come together this holy month

Life also goes on as usual; we go to school, work and perform daily tasks. The community should come together during this month of fasting, and that includes non-fasting members, too.

For us to understand the true meaning of this divine request, let us see how we can all come together as a community and be mindful of one another, feel for each other and care for those around us. Ramadan is the ninth Islamic lunar month and arrives at the same time every 33 years. It begins with the sighting of the new moon and ends with the birth of the next new moon. Linguistically, the word Ramadan can mean hot, but it doesn't mean it's always a hot month; that depends on where you live, as May/June 2017 are not hot months on the other side of the world.
Why is Ramadan special to Muslims?
The Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during in this month. "Ramadan is the (month) during which the Holy Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so mankind will distinguish from right and wrong)" (2:183)
"Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa." (2:183) Therefore, the act of fasting has been prescribed by the Lord to mankind throughout revelation for the purpose of achieving, taqwaa, Arabic word that means self-conscientiousness and piety.
What do Muslims do during the month?
Muslims will abstain from eating, drinking and all unlawful conduct. This exercise begins at the break of dawn and ends at sunset each day during the month. Not drinking and eating when you desire teaches self-restraint, discipline, patience and most of all it awakens your consciousness as you become aware that you are being monitored even when no one is around, except your All-Knowing, All-Seeing and All-Hearing Lord. Suspending lawful marital relations helps see each other in a new light as husband and wife. No unlawful conduct includes speaking, seeing and hearing, no anger or bad attitudes. Any behaviour that comes out of us that can be hurtful must be halted.
But life also goes on as usual; we go to school, work and perform daily tasks while striving to attain the objective stated. The community should come together during this month of fasting, and that includes non-fasting members, too.
There are those who are exempted from having to abstain from eating and drinking - pregnant, menstruating and breast feeding women, the terminally ill, aged and the young who have not reached puberty, as well as non-practising members of the community.
In the UAE, public space is shared by all, people from all backgrounds, nationalities and faiths and so, no eating and drinking are allowed in public (you can do so in private). Also people have to take care to dress modestly, refrain from turning on the music very high, not smoke or chew gum and finally be mindful of others.
As a society, we value what Ramadan is all about, and we would like to maintain that atmosphere. The city does have consideration for non-fasting people as some food establishments remain open.
What is a typical day like?
A typical day during Ramadan is families, relatives and friends getting together to break their fast at sunset, with the call to Mahgrib prayer or the sound of the shooting canon, which is a local tradition. We then hasten to eat a date and drink water, and then offer prayers after which we sit to eat and enjoy each other's company. We rest and then proceed to the Mosque for the last prayer of the day, Isha, followed by extra prayers called Taraweeh. Once done, some go home to rest and be with their families while others go out and socialise till the early hours of the morning (a new tradition), until it's time for Suhoor, the meal before the break of dawn. We then eat a light meal in preparation to fast for another day which begins at the sound of the call to the Fajer prayer after which the fast begins.
What is the Night of Power?
During the last 10 days of the holy month, prayers are intensified in hopes to attain the great reward of standing before the Lord on the night known as the Night of Power, the night when the Holy Quran was revealed.
Eid marks the end of Ramadan, when the new moon is sighted once again. It's a time to rejoice as a community, having done our best, and hoping our prayers and good deeds have been accepted. Before prayers begin the next morning, every head of the household will pay Zakat al Fitr, or charity which is to feed one poor person on behalf of each member of the family. On the morning of Eid, at the break of dawn, Muslims drink water to signify the end of fasting. Then they visit mosque nearby or the Eid Musallah where prayers commence right after sunrise.
Nasif Kayed is Founder and CEO of The Arab Culturalist

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