Half of it has passed away. We are left with roughly only a few more days of the best month for Muslims; Ramadan.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this month Muslims fast from dawn to sun-down for 29 or 30 days. In the the holy book of Muslims, the Quran, it states, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that you may become mindful of Allah” [2.183].

This month is not only a month of hunger and thirst, it is also a time where Muslims are asked to critically evaluate their actions. They are asked to improve their habits and work towards a better lifestyle. As I have mentioned before, Ramadan is like a training camp. The good actions carried out in this month are hoped to become consistent actions of ones daily life even after Ramadan has finished.

During this month, it is believed that Allah forgives all sins and grants paradise to his believers. As an attempt to gain forgiveness and paradise, Muslims fast and also step up their religious activities by a notch. Some of the things most Muslims indulge in during this month are the recitation of the Quran, studying of the translation of the Quran, kind acts towards relatives and friends, the night prayer of taraweeh, and many more practices.

Junior Sana Ali also indulges in more acts of worship during this month.

“I practice Ramadan by praying sunnah (acts of worships that the Prophet used to perform but are not obligatory) more and reading more Quran. I also try to be more aware of my actions and try to be more helpful to everyone,” said Ali.

The night prayer of taraweeh is an act of worship that most Muslims dutifully follow throughout the days of Ramadan. Taraweeh is an extension of the night prayer. In the mosque, the leader of the prayer, an imaam, begins from the beginning of the Quran and usually completes it before the end of Ramadan.

My favorite part of Ramadan has been praying taraweeh in the mosque and spending more time by myself to realize who I am and what I believe in.

Praying taraweeh in the mosque is an undescribable experience. The beautiful recitation of the Quran from the imaam moves one to tears. It also makes me feel that despite all of our differences in the Muslim community we all come together and bow down in prostration to one lord.

Along with that, during this Ramadan I would sit down and think. I would think about my life and how I had been a Muslim, but I never truly understood Islam. I would try and connect with Allah and Alhamdulilah (thanks to Allah), I feel rejuvinated to work on being a better Muslim.

Ali’s favorite part of Ramadan is waking up for the pre-dawn meal, Sahoor.

“My favorite part is waking up for sahoor everyday, for some reason I find it very peaceful at that time,” said Ali.

Senior Jawairia Nagani enjoys the times she spends with her family during Ramadan.

“My favorite part of Ramadan is the extra time I get to spend with my family at iftar ( the meal where you open your fast at sun-down) and sahoor,” said Nagani.

I hope Ramadan brings for you the same joys it brought for me.

Ramadan Mubarak Niles West!