Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims all around the world observe for 30 days by fasting, introspection, and prayers. When most people hear Ramadan, they think of fasting – no drinking or eating of any sort from sunrise to sunset. Though fasting is a huge part of Ramadan and well known to everyone, fasting is one aspect of observing.
Ramadan is a time to grow as a person and spend time with the people you love as you learn more about spirituality and faith. Fasting isn’t easy, but by the end of the first week, your body is completely used to it. Along with it, you adjust to the sleep schedule of waking up before the sun rises to eat your pre-fasting meal and staying up to do late-night prayers, within the first few days. Fasting always reminds me to constantly be grateful for all the food, water, and other blessings I’ve been provided with. I learned to not take even the littlest things for granted.
My favorite part of Ramadan is staying up all night with my friends and siblings to get to go to IHOP at five in the morning. I also love staying at the mosque at night with my friends and eating so much to the point where I can’t breathe.
After the month of Ramadan is over and I can return to eating at any time, it is a strange feeling. However, it helps me realize that I have the privilege to eat whenever, which in turn serves as a reminder that not everybody in the world has the blessing of a meal on their plate.
The thing that makes Ramadan so unique is the length of it. Not many other holidays are 30 days long. This is why all the good habits we build during Ramadan are so important because when we do them for 30 days straight, they become a part of our routine and not just something we do once a year.
Many traditions that are very important to the meaning of Ramadan include breaking your fast with delicious date fruits. This is followed by a festive meal called iftar which usually takes place with a gathering of friends and family. Ramadan is such a uniting time for Muslims across the world and it holds such a special place in my heart.
