The month of Ramadan is a time of prayer and purification. A time for reflecting on the hardship and tribulations of the less fortunate. It is also a time of contemplation, where Muslims all over the world meditate on their relationship with the Divine. While the main activity of Ramadan is fasting from dawn to dusk, there are many more that are observed by the Muslim community. If you’re a non-Muslim and are curious about what Muslims do during Ramadan perhaps this article will enlighten you. As a Muslim, here are some activities that you can do to supplement your spiritual journey during this holy month:
Iftar
Breaking fast is the first thing most Muslims look forward to everyday during Ramadan. They will plan their meals and among Malaysians, would think about what they’re going to buy at the Ramadan bazaar. Iftar is as much a celebratory occasion as Eid. Many make an entire event out of it, inviting their friends and family for an indulgent meal at sundown. However, this is not exactly the point of fasting. While it is definitely okay to enjoy the small fleeting pleasures in life, Ramadan is a period of abnegation. So, a simple, humble meal is actually better than a luxurious one. This is to instil gratitude and humility for all the blessings that you have that others may not share.
Tarawih
Every Ramadan after iftar and Isha’ prayers, Muslims will gather in unison at mosques to perform a special evening prayer called tarawih. Tarawih is a non-mandatory observance that Muslims can do to increase their spiritual currency. Not participating won’t get you into trouble per se but many scholars recommend it for extra thawab (good deeds, also known as ‘pahala‘ in Malay). Tarawih itself is a special form of prayer that is performed in pairs of two raka’at (special movements during prayer). You can choose how many ’rounds’ you want to go and can leave anytime you want. However, people usually go for 4 rounds of 8 raka’at. Most mosques usually go for 20 raka’at in a single night. It takes dedication to finish all raka’at with the imam and to join him afterwards for takmil. There are also other optional prayers you can perform during the month of Ramadan such as Qiyamullail & Lailatul Qadr.
Takmil
For those unfamiliar with Islamic terms, ‘takmil’ is basically the act of reciting the Quran cover to cover all within the span of the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims usually recite one juzuk (parts) per night every night for the next thirty days. Juzuk is different from a chapter (surah) and there are exactly 30 of them in the holy book. You can usually observe takmil at home or at the mosque with the imam after tarawih. Like tarawih, takmil is optional. One thing that a lot of scholars recommend is to supplement the recitation by contemplating the meaning of the words. This means reciting in lieu of reading the translated Arabic. That said, it’s better for you to observe the takmil at home where you can do the recitations on your own time.
Zakat
In keeping with the spirit of Ramadan, Muslims are also required to pay zakat, which are alms for the poor. Zakat is important because it redistributes wealth back to the less fortunate and cleanses the wealth of those who pay it. All money made from zakat payments goes back to the impoverished citizens of the country should they fulfil the requirements. There are two kinds of zakat, fitrah and harta. All Muslims, regardless of gender and age, must pay zakat fitrah which is equivalent to 2.7kg of rice. However, this amount usually does not exceed RM10 per person. So, if you have a family, you have to pay for your child and spouse if they’re not making any income themselves. Zakat harta, on the other hand, is not that different from the regular property and income taxes you pay to the government. The general rule of thumb is that if you should donate 2.5% of your total income from the previous year. This includes salaries, payments, commissions, royalties, etc.
Zikir
Zikir is a form of meditation that involves the chanting of the names of God, which Muslims do all the time after normal prayers. But Islamic scholars recommend increasing the frequency of your zikir during Ramadan. Just like the recitation of the Quran, you should not just recite the words but also contemplate on their meaning. Each name of God has its own significance and it’s best that you meditate on each aspect of the Divine while you chant. And the best thing about zikir is that it can be performed anywhere. So even while you’re driving, or waiting for the bus, or stuck in traffic, you can chant one of the names of Allah S.W.T.—as both a form of devotion and a way to foster patience and surrender.
Abstinence
One of the core principles of Ramadan is to practice self-restraint and this does not only refer to food and drinks. Muslims must also abstain from all forms of pleasure including smoking tobacco, sexual intercourse, and sinful acts. You should generally keep your heart and mind pure. However, many may find it more difficult to avoid the physical temptations than it is to avoid the psychological ones. While many of us can generally abstain from acting on our carnal desires, it is harder to stop a bad thought or word from sneaking through. In the month of Ramadan, you should therefore avoid lying, swearing, gossiping, arguing and other harmful verbal acts. It should go without saying that you should not be doing bad things either. This includes littering, overspending, being wasteful and other small sins that we commit throughout the day.
Shawwal Fasting (Puasa Enam)
Some Muslims will continue fasting for six days after the first day of Eid (‘Raya’ to the locals)—it is prohibited in Islam to fast during the first day of Shawwal. This is also known as ‘puasa enam‘ by Malaysian Muslims. This tradition is based on the belief that doing so would multiply your thawab (good deeds, also known as ‘pahala‘ in Malay) tenfold. Some scholars even say that if you fast for all 30 days during Ramadan and observe the extra 6 days of Shawwal fasting, the thawab you get is equivalent to an entire year of fasting. So while it’s not obligatory, it may be something you’re interested in. The way that one observes puasa enam is not that different from regular Ramadan fasting, except the niyyah (the intention in one’s heart to do an act for the sake of God, also known locally as ‘niat‘) is a bit different. So be sure to recite the correct niyyah when you do your six days of Shawwal fasting. But at the same time, don’t forget to enjoy your Raya! It is a time of celebration, after all.
Increase Your Blessings Throughout This Holy Month
It is believed that all spiritual rewards (thawab) are multiplied during Ramadan. That is why you should take this opportunity to increase your spiritual observances. Of course, aside from the mandatory ones, you don’t need to overexert yourself. It’s the thought that counts. Because as much as Ramadan is a time of worship, it is also a time of rest and restoration.
Just as you are healing your relationship with God, you are also healing your relationship with your body. Fasting is believed to purify the soul as well as the flesh, allowing you to get closer to Allah S.W.T.
So, if you’re a Muslim, don’t let this rare occasion pass you by. A number of Muslims may tend to perform their Ramadan duties by rote, ignoring the greater spiritual significance behind the activities. Maybe this time around we can all fully immerse ourselves in these holy practices, with a heart full of devotion and piety. I personally think it would be such a pity to let our Ramadan slip by in a waste. What say you?
Motherhood Story wishes a blessed Ramadan to all our beloved Muslim readers!
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