Falling during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a time Muslims across the world engage in self-reflection, gratitude and self-restraint. From March 12 to April 9, and from sunup to sundown, Muslims are encouraged to purify their souls and to have empathy with those who are less fortunate.
“Ramadan is the time of year for us to get back to the wholeness of humanity and human life,” said Imam Talibib Shareef, leader of Masjid Muhammad, the Nation’s Mosque in the District. “That’s why it’s in the ninth month. It is a time to get back to our original nature.”
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is considered important because that is when the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
During Ramadan Muslims from all over the world perform daily activities, but fast from dawn to sundown. During the fast, drinking, eating, smoking and sexual intercourse, abusive behavior, or impure thoughts are all strictly prohibited.
The sacred time is widely practiced by healthy followers of Muslim who have hit puberty, however, elderly, sick travelers and pregnant women are exempted from fasting.
During Ramadan, reading the holy Quran is a key practice and helping the less fortunate is a priority.
From local mosques to the White House, Muslims are inviting people of many faiths to join them during Ramadan in activities that include pre-dawn meals, offering prayers and reading of the Quran.
“For so many around the globe, including fellow Americans all across the country, this sacred month is a time for reflection and spiritual growth,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “Communities come together to practice forgiveness and resilience, to show compassion and generosity of spirit to those in need, of giving, and to celebrate the many blessings of life with loved ones.”
Even though the Nation’s Mosque is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion, people have been gathering Friday and Saturday nights to pray and break fast in a home adjacent to the place of worship. The mosque now plans to use a tent to gather and fellowship at sundown.
Last Friday, Shareef led a delegation to Morocco, and said visiting there during this time is special.
“To go to a predominantly Muslim country during Ramadan is a blessing because everyone is focused and that is tough in America,” Shareef told The Informer.
“When you go to a Muslim society everything slows down,” said Imam Muhammad Abdul Malik, 68, a resident of Southeast, D.C., who has been attending Masjid Muhammad since he was 16.
He talked about the practice of fasting during Ramadan.
“The fast during Ramadan is called ‘Siyam,’ which stands for fasting,” said Abdul Malik, an imam who teaches a class at St. Elizabeth’s hospital.
“It is really about cleaning yourself internally and externally,” Abdul Malik said. “It is like you develop a new self, a new life because you are back learning how to restrain yourself from the things [thrown] at you every day. You clear your mind, you clear your thinking, Ramadan does that.”
The spiritual leader emphasized that Ramadan is not only a time to restrain from food and drink, but from “bad habits.”
”Ramadan is a chance to refrain from getting into arguments. This is the most peaceful month. It says that this time of month the devil is locked up. The gates of hell are closed and the gates of Heaven are open.”
Abdul Malik, a professional painter, has also been working to renovate the Clara Muhammad School in Southeast.
“God has blessed me so much and given me so much I have no choice but to give back,” he said.
Talib Watson, an IT consultant from Annapolis, also said he appreciated the peaceful time during Ramadan, explaining “the gates of Hell are locked down,” and there is just a sense of holiness.
Ramadan is also a special time of the year for Edrees Bridges, a Muslim chaplain who serves in the Army, in the U.S. Capitol and at the Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Bridges said Ramadan is a sacred time of the year because he enjoys breaking bread with people during the evening meal after the fast. This is called “iftar.”
“Iftar is held every night during Ramadan; it means the breaking of the fast,” Bridges told The Informer. “Iftar is a time of fellowship, to get together, to pray together, to have a meal together and to reflect on the guidance that was set by the creator.”
Iftar can be practiced in private and public settings.
“I have iftar at home with my family but I also have iftar with friends, in their homes,” Bridges said. “This time of year we as Muslims plan events. We have iftars at community centers. Iftars are also held by government organizations.”
Before daybreak Muslims take have their first meal, which is called, “suhoor.” Bridges said, “We typically try to break the fast with dates and with things that are natural, fruits, vegetables or something that will be gentle on the stomach,” he explained.
However, again, it’s not just about fasting and food.
“During the month of Ramadan we try to increase our prayers and are mindful of our actions,” Bridges said. “We are trying to be sensitive and to become a better version of ourselves. “This was a spiritual journey that I have been on since I was 18.”
Bridges emphasized Ramadan is all about personal and community growth.
“This is time for sharing with our friends because this is a time to grow.”
Very informative and enlightening article about real people in DC who practice the disciplinary edicts of the fastest growing religion known as Islam.