The holy month of Ramadan is a time of spiritual recharge for Muslims worldwide and is especially transformative for teenagers living in an environment that does not always align with their beliefs. The world is overflowing with distraction, and Muslims believe that these diversions are a test from Allah, God, according to a website about Islam (aboutislam.com). In Islam, the five daily prayers, the day of Friday (Jumuah), and Ramadan are seen as reminders to turn to God and seek refuge in Him. In verse 183 in Surah (Chapter) Baqarah {2:183} in the Muslim’s Holy Book — the Quran — God says, “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you — as it was for those before you — so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺.” The Quran states that fasting was always prescribed to believers, from the beginning of time, to people of all regions (quran.com).
Sophomore Layal Aziz said, “My favorite part of Ramadan is the opportunities of growth and discipline. During this holy month we’re tested with patience and self-control but it also allows us time for personal reflection and spiritual growth as you spend more time in prayer and reading the Quran. Additionally, Ramadan sparks a time for community engagement to foster kindness to others in need of compassion. Overall, Ramadan is a unique chance I get to develop stronger discipline and connect with my family and community around me.”
Many people are under the impression that Ramadan is solely about fasting, refraining from food and drink, but this month entails so much more and is the one form of worship that is strictly between a believer and their Lord. According to a website about Islam, Ramadan facilitates deep gratitude, empathy, patience, community, endurance, and increased spirituality (muslim.sg). Imagine if you expected your phone’s charge to last a year, but never charged it. Would it be able to sustain itself once it reaches the end of the year? Just like a human’s body needs to be recharged every night once the sun retreats into the ocean, so does a human’s soul when he retreats back to his Creator.
On the journey of life, and especially in times of transformation like Ramadan, there are many difficulties along the way. In this month, a Muslim refrains from eating or drinking water from sunrise to sunset. Not only is this practice meant to cleanse the body, but to simultaneously purify the soul, as it teaches a person discipline and the skill of resisting their temptations. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Fasting has been shown to improve biomarkers of disease, reduce oxidative stress and preserve learning and memory functioning, according to Mark Mattson, senior investigator for the National Institute on Aging, part of the US National Institutes of Health” (nih.gov). According to Islamic Relief Canada, before the sun rises and the day begins, Muslims wake up for Suhoor, a light breakfast before the fast, followed by the morning daily prayer, Fajr. Suhoor means the last part of the night in Arabic, and is essential in sustaining oneself and maintaining energy. Iftar is the meal that is served after the sun sets, and is when a Muslim breaks their fast and prays their sunset prayer, Maghrib (islamicreliefcanada.org).
Muslims believe that God does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear, and God’s grace in Ramadan also shows that. According to the Quran, when any human is put under the circumstances where fasting becomes painful or can negatively impact their health — such as a woman who is menstruating or pregnant, a person of old age, traveling, or sick person — they are excused from completing the fast. As a way for them to continue to benefit from the fruits that this blessed month bears, they must continue to do righteous acts, and if they are unable to make up the days they missed by fasting once their health is restored, then they pay a specific amount to feed people who are in need of support (quran.com). In verse 184, the Quran says, “˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân.˺ For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew” (quran.com).
During this month, but especially while a person is fasting, according to Muslim Aid , Muslims also abstain from cursing or saying or doing anything that might harm others. These etiquettes and abstract ideologies are encouraged all year round and are rooted in Islam as Muslims believe that Islam is not just a religion but rather a way of life (muslimaid.org). The Muslim Student Association President Senior Omar Asif said that MSA utilizes Bungalow 21 as space for students to pray their daily prayers during lunch and will be open during the month of Ramadan to rest and recharge both physically and spiritually.
*Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar.
*It is a time of giving from your wealth and your time in efforts to support those who are less fortunate.
*It is the month of Quran because on Laylatul-Qadr, the night of power, the first verse was revealed to the Prophet and messenger of God, Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
*Fasting Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.