Marwa Gaber
Ramadan is a little different this year, but different doesn’t necessarily mean worse. Since we should not have large gatherings like we usually do this time of year, let’s not forget the true Ramadan spirit and all the joyous memories it brings with it. And what better way to commemorate all the wonderful moments than by sharing some of your stories about Ramadan and what it means to you.
It is well known that it is one of the most religious times of the year, where one turns to a higher power for guidance and strength more so than they ever have, which is honestly what everyone needs right now to get through these tough times. So isn’t it a blessing that Ramadan came at this particular moment in time?
Since the dawn of days, many await this blessed month to repent, to forgive, to find themselves again and rejuvenate their drained souls and whilst I could write endless pages about all the blessings that comes with Ramadan and various stories about it since the Prophet was alive, this is not what why I’m writing this.
Rather, this piece is to remind us all to be grateful, to be thankful for every memory we created the past years, and to relive those times when we were all together, united.
That’s what Ramadan means to me- Unity. Whether we are being united with 1000 people during taraweeh or 100 people during family gatherings or even with one… Allah.
When asked "what this month means to you?" These were some of the answers people said:
"Singing halo ya halo around the house, forgiving others so we could be forgiven too, فوانيس (lanterns) in every corner of our home, arguing with siblings then laughing it off by saying اللهم اني صائم."
"Ramadan is gathering around the dinner table, counting how many cannonballs appear on the TV. It is knocking on neighbors’ doors to collect donations to decorate the street with our loved ones, preparing more food than we need just so we can give them out and spread the love. It’s about that extra piece of kindness and humanity that inhabits our hearts during these 30 days and makes us better human beings towards one another."
One answer that stood out to me was "Ramadan is the peaceful spirit of the hours following sohoor and the blessings preceding iftar."
Ramadan is a reminder that it is never too late to start over. People usually wait for the beginning of the new calendar year to begin a new life, not realizing they begin one each day of Ramadan whenever they turn a page of the Quran, give out dates on the streets or simply look up at the sky to see if it’s Lailat El Qadr ليلة القدر yet.
It is a month of abundance. We share more, care more and forgive more. It is the time where our faith is much larger than us that it fills our bodies and souls; giving us a pat on the back, telling us that things will be okay and filling us with a sense of serenity that we cannot find anywhere else.
Going 20 Km/h when we’ve gotten used to our lives on overdrive. So while you may be upset about not being able to go to mosques to pray or personally give out food, remember that’s not only what Ramadan is about. You can still pray in your room for as long as your heart desires, leave the extra food out on your doorstep for whoever finds it.
Invest this extra time you’ve been given to be thankful. Allah is here in every corner, it was never about where you pray.
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