Ramadan, Ramadan, Who Are You?

 When asking “What is Ramadan?” the answer will usually be “the Islamic holy month”; “the month of fasting for Muslims”; or even “the month of the Qur'an”. However, asking what Ramadan means to Muslims is a much more complex question. While most religious events are celebrations, like Christmas, or tests, like Lent, Ramadan is much harder to define.

One year, soon after the moon was sighted, signalling the beginning of the month, a non-muslim friend asked me if I wanted to go to the cinema to 'celebrate Ramadan.' When I explained that since it was Ramadan I definitely would not be going to the cinema, she was puzzled. “But on facebook, all my muslim friends are saying 'Ramadan Kareem.' Doesn't that mean 'Happy Ramadan'? Shouldn't you celebrate?”

The question really made me think. While it's true that the news of Ramadan is greeted with happiness, is it the cause for parties or great celebration?

During Ramadan, Muslims must forgo food and water by day, and often spend the nights in prayer. They are extolled to do good, and warned away from evil. Every second in the month of Ramadan has great value, and Muslims are guided against wasting it.

Often Ramadan is likened to a massive sale, where all items are exchanged at an unbelievably low price. Clever shoppers will know to buy as much as they can, because they can reap great rewards, even if it may be difficult to go to the shops and carry the bags, and they have to spend some money to get anything. In the same way, any good deed carried out in Ramadan garners many times the reward it usually would, but time and effort must be invested to achieve the best results.

This year, Ramadan has fallen in the university holiday. Great news for students, eh? No lectures or exams. No gobbling down iftaar on the bus home, to the amazement of the other passengers who think we've overshot our student funds and are down to one meal a day.

However, after the last few weeks of leisure one might find it difficult to do anything except aimlessly trawl Facebook and the like. Similarly, for those high-flying students who are taking part in various summer projects, striking a balance can be difficult. Ramadan falls in the longest holiday of the year, but each summer day is longer than any other. From dusk to dawn, more than 14 long hours pass.

As difficult as it is, it is imperative that as much of this time is productive.

Personally, when Ramadan comes around, I feel as though an old friend or teacher has come to stay with me. I am excited to see them, because I know I can gain a lot from their company. On the other hand, I know it may be difficult to adjust my daily routine to accommodate them. They will challenge me to be the best I can be, and they know me too well for excuses to fool them. I know they'll put me through my paces, and at times it may seem difficult, but when they leave, I'll feel a tugging on my heartstrings, and I'll hope I made the most of their visit, and that I'll see them again the next year.

What about you? How do you feel when Ramadan is announced? Excited? Worried? Write a comment and let us know!