Ramadan Days

We are half-way through Ramadan. I thought it maybe interesting for you to gain an insight into what my days look like currently.

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Work days start with sehri (breakfast) at 4am in the morning. My go to is porridge and dates. After breakfast, I brush my teeth thoroughly and perform ablution for prayer. The fajr (morning) prayer usually starts 10 minutes after the fast closes. At the moment its too cold for a wimp like me to go to the mosque and pray, so I read at home. When I finish, I read a little but from the Qur’an and then lie down for a sleep top-up (around 5am). It normally takes me a while to fall asleep.

I’m up again at 7.30am. I make the bed and then head to the toilet. After washing my face and getting dressed, its a 30 minute commute to the college where I work as a lecturer. My work day is mainly teaching, though on some days I have office time for pastoral duties, planning and marking (the joy of teaching life). The hardest part of working whilst fasting is people drinking coffee and eating food around me. Its not that they’re eating that bothers me. Its the smell. A whiff of coffee is enough to make my mouth water and my stomach to start rumbling.

By the time I get back from work, there is just a couple of hours left before the fast opens. I change into my Muslim civvies, perform a fresh ablution and then pray the Asr (mid-afternoon) prayer. I read my Dhur (afternoon) prayer at work, in the college prayer room with the Muslim students. After prayer, I like to read from the Qur‘an again. I want to try and finish the Qur’an at least 4 times this year. I started my 3rd today. Some days, I’ll head to masjid (mosque) early and read there instead. If I’m not already there, I head to the masjid for Maghrib and a communal breaking of the fast. Normally, its dates, water and, occasionally, sometimes people bring in some samosas and pakoras, or less frequently, a pizza. I try my best not to partake of the unhealthy snacks but, now and then, a naughty bite may pass my lips.

After maghrib, I head home and join the family for iftar (supper). The menu varies, though there are always dates (Palestinian Medjoul or Khudry from Madinah) on the tablecloth. We eat on the floor in keeping with the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). A much needed coffee follows the food and then we chill for an hour. The day ends with Isha (night prayer) and Taraweeh prayers that are led by Hufaz, who have memorised the whole Qur’an. The prayers last an hour and twenty minutes. Then, a bit more relaxing, and then to bed.

On days when I’m not at work, I tend to do most of my prayers in the masjid. I sleep in a little in the morning and then work on my thesis amendments. I like to read Qur’an before the Dhur prayer on these days, though this is not always possible, so sometimes I will read after the prayer. When I’m done, I post to my socials and then go back to working on the thesis. I go to the masjid for Asar and stay there. I normally take a book that I am studying with me and make notes until Maghrib. The rest of the day is pretty much similar.

It is easier in Ramadan to read Qur’an and prioritise spiritual practices than in other months. Muslims believe this is because Satan is chained up during Ramadan. Perhaps I am getting older and that’s why my mind is constantly turning to devotional activities. Either way, I am finding myself more in-tune with my inner spiritual life than in previous years.

How are you spending your Ramadan? I genuinely would like to hear from you, reader. Please do comment and share your day with me. Otherwise, if you enjoyed this post, like and share. If you want to keep in touch, consider subscribing.

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