Goodbye, Ramadan

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It is the month in which the holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) and all Muslims are expected to fast throughout the month. We’re to abstain from food, drink, sex, and every other unlawful/wrong act while fasting.

The essence of Ramadan is a fresh start. You get to be your holiest self and improve your spirituality by reading the Quran, fasting, and praying for your sins to be wiped off. Ramadan teaches us God consciousness, self-restraint and control with the hope to continue living the same way during the other months of the year.

I always look forward to Ramadan every year because out of all the fantastic things the month stands for, it brings the family closer, and this year wasn’t different. We broke our fasts together every single day, and in that time, we will catch up on our day and every other thing in between. We would have been eating sahur together too, but I stopped eating some years ago. I only drink water before tajjhud or subhr prayers if time permits.

Though the mosque located close to us is open, I didn’t go. Things are back to normal here in Lagos, but I think I’m still scared of being that close to so many people knowing fully well that the coronavirus is still killing people all over the world. So, we said all our prayers at home and joined lectures online.

I’m sad to see Ramadan go. The past thirty days were perfect. Perfect because no matter what happened during the day that tried to make me sad, angry, or uneasy, I remembered it was Ramadan, and I simply let it go.

• It was peaceful
• It was magical
• It was revealing
• It was successful

I pray that our fasts are accepted, prayers answered, and our sins forgiven. May we witness the next Ramadan in good health, and may the blessings of the month be with us all year long.

Eid Mubarak!

Mariam Shittu