Blessings of Ramadan 

The blessings, 

You feel them

Inside of you 

They speak to you 

Embrace you

They reflect on your soul

On your good deeds

Capturing its beauty

As it flows calmness 

Almost in a trance

Of divine capture

It holds you tight

Feeling of joy

Love fulfills you 

Hunger is absent 

Desire is present 

to help the world

feed the children 

smile and love

everyone!

***

I wrote this poem to explain the feeling one receives when fasting during the month of Ramadan, it’s priceless! Ramadan is a month of fasting in the Muslim religion. Starting after dawn and ending at sunset every day throughout the month, fasting Muslims must refrain from food and drinks.

Here’s a little story behind this poem! I spent a weekend at my brother’s house and was invited for dinner (Iftar) to break our fast. As we were waiting for the final hour, I looked at my beautiful niece Leyla cooking. I said “do you feel it?” She didn’t even ask me what I meant. She replied with laughter “yes, feels like I am in a trance.” It validated that the feeling was mutual.

You get the most beautiful feeling inside when fasting, a sort of feeling of a warm light instilled in you that creates magic in your mind and a feeling of kindness and goodness all wrapped as the most delicious recipe brought down from Heaven. It’s the best way I can describe it.

After that, my lovely sister-in-law, Ness, joined our conversation and said it’s amazing how I described the feeling as it feels the same for her.

This is what Ramadan fasting feels like and if you are observing and fasting, enjoy this feeling, my dear reader. If Ramadan doesn’t feel like this to you – a piece of paradise inside of you all day long – then let’s talk about it. 

Some people may experience difficulty while fasting and can barely wait for the day to pass by so that they can eat at sunset. Others don’t fast at all because they find it too hard. I know because I have been there in both situations and know many friends and family that have shared the same thoughts and feelings.

Here are some habits that helped both me and other people with whom I have been speaking this month of Ramadan:

1. Come in with total submission to this month, wholeheartedly, mind, body, and soul including during daily prayer.
2. Make your intention – intent is very powerful for anything you do, especially with a strong will. Say, “I am fasting all month and may God grant me strength every day!”
3. Don’t do it alone! Have friends and family in close proximity, text and call throughout the day, and schedule dinners either at a restaurant or each other’s houses. 
4. Make it fun, have a countdown calendar, and decorations with different lighting all over your home, and enjoy looking up different recipes for cooking and baking.
5. Think of helping those in need throughout the month. You can give small or big amounts depending on your means. You can donate to charities and mosques, and feed people by bringing them meals or inviting them over. It all brings blessings to you and your family.

Enjoy the blessed month of Ramadan! And if you are not observing, I hope you learned what it truly feels like for a Muslim to fast during this holy month! Cheers!