Ramadan, it seems like it has just flown by so quickly. Tonight, it is said, is the NIGHT OF POWER, Laylat Ul-Qadr, the 27th of Ramadan.
Of course, no one REALLY knows when Laylat Ul-Qadr is but most scholars agree that it is the 27th of the month. All we know for sure is that is falls in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan. The Quran states that it is better than a thousand months. The angels descend upon the earth.
My family will most likely, InshaAllah (God willing), spend the night in the masjid. We will break our fast there, pray Tarawih prayer (extra prayers in the month of Ramadan where nightly 1/30 of the Quran is read during prayers in order to have recited the whole Quran during the month), Qiyam Ul-layl (praying in the middle of the night), Witr (another extra prayer), and then sleep for a little bit in the masjid. We will wake up for Sahoor (meal before fasting starts) to eat and drink before we pray our Fajr prayer. After Fajr, we will probably go back home to sleep some more as we will all be sleep deprived for sure.
I would love to be of those who are able to stay in the masjid all day, every day, in the last 10 days of Ramadan. I tell myself that MAYBE when the kids get older I can spend my time there, praying, meditating, resting, and just being around other Muslims who are concerned enough about their religion and their own salvation to stay all day and night praying and reading Quran.
I admire my mother in law for going nightly, praying all of the Tarawih prayer (not just part of it like many of us), coming back at 3:30 am to pray Qiyam Ul-Layl (or sleeping there), eating Sahoor, praying Fajr, and then heading home to sleep for a few hours before getting up to cook dinner for iftar that evening. May Allah reward her multifold for her dedication. I remind her to pray for me since I am not going. Alhamdullah (all praise is to God).
The kids are all out of school so they too can spend their nights in prayer at the masjid. They will have a whole week off and are looking forward to no homework! SO WHAT HAPPENS FOR EID?
Well, there are many things we do for Eid Al-Fitr (Holiday of Feasting). The first thing is EID PRAYER. We will all get up early, dress up nice, in new Eid clothes (if we can afford it), jump in the family car and drive to the location where prayer will be held. This year they are having TWO prayer sessions as the place booked is small for our community.
After prayer, some families will go out to eat breakfast together or come to the masjid for a huge community breakfast. My family ALWAYS goes to the masjid and we are usually the LAST ones to arrive. We are last to arrive because my husband is always busy helping do something-clean up after all the toys were passed out to kids, load things in our vehicle to take back to different locations, you get the idea. We like to help out and do our part for the community so it's all GOOD.
Of course, for Muslims in North America, or any other non-Muslim society, we do not get these days off so, it is work as usual for many a Muslim. Many take off, using vacation days, or re-arrange their schedules so they can at least make it to prayer and work afterwards. It is a very festive time and it is much preferred to be OFF WORK period but many of us can only do so much.
After Eid, which lasts three days, things go back to normal....kids in school, parents at work, eating and drinking throughout the day. The key is to keep the spirit of Ramadan thoughout the year. Many fast the first six days after EID. It is highly recommended but not easy to do for many.
One thing is certain, we will all look forward to the next Ramadan when our sense of community is hightened-family and friends breaking fast together, praying together, and remembering Allah.
