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The Meaning of Ramadan

It was almost here. Children in my Egyptian neighborhood collected money for our street decoration fund, women cleaned their homes and I started making paper lanterns for our balcony. My mom would take me to the market where dried fruit, nuts and cooking supplies were proudly displayed because it was almost here. I never understood the family arguments over who got the first day to host our family iftar (breakfast) when it finally was here. My school closed an hour early. Everyone was excited about our guest, the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the month of Quran, repentance and worship. Duaa (supplication)and promises are made to our Creator. The gates to Jannah are open; the gates of hell are shut. Ramadan is the month every Muslim wishes to achieve through fasting and lots of prayer. Ramadan is a month of purification in every meaning of the word.

Ramadan is very personal to me. As a child, Ramadan meant early school dismissal and a new cool looking fanous (lantern) for myself. As an adolescent, it was a month of struggle. I didn’t find taraweeh prayers as fun as my favorite boy band concert, or a fitting thing to regard among my cool friends! (I won’t blame peer pressure entirely here) Slowly as I matured and learned about the beauty of Ramadan is when I started fully appreciating the fruits of the holy month. I remember the nights I cried because I couldn’t make it to the congregational prayers. SubhanAllah, how life and the meaning of Ramadan has changed for me.

As the Holy month approaches in a couple of days. I can’t help but reminisce the days of my childhood, adolescence and adulthood. “What will this month bring for me this year?” I wonder. I am fully aware that Ramadan is a psychological state that helps us do things we normally won’t do outside the holy month. Like regularly visiting the mosque, calling friends and family to wish them a blessed month and doing extra charity. Life has become so hectic that sometimes we need a holiday, a month, to dedicate to these small, yet important things. Sadly, for some people Ramadan has taken the meaning of overeating and more overeating.

Sometimes I wonder, what type of meaning of Ramadan will I pass on to my children? Will it be the month we eat an extravagant dinner late? Or the month we dedicate to Quran, prayers and fasting. I am not sure to tell you the truth, but I am sure of one thing—that I must model this great meaning I want them to learn. This year, as an Aunt to many Muslim children, instead of my regular material gifts, I plan to give them each a dollar to donate in the Mosque sadaqah box. The best gift is to teach a child to be generous to all those less fortunate people in the world.

Dear reader, Ramadan is your chance to change. If you have already created a meaning for your Ramadan, it’s never too late to improve it. I personally can’t tell you how excited I am for this coming Ramadan. Because today, as an adult, Ramadan means the month of getting closer to my Lord. I get to bow down, cry to Him and feel safe again. I feel His presence everywhere. I get to laugh with Him and thank Him, Al Kareem, for everything He has blessed me with in my life. Alhumdulilah.

Ramadan Kareem everyone and I hope you find your meaning to Ramadan this year.

P.S: Please pray for all the victims in the world.