Ramadan 1434 hijrah, 2013

I write very less entry this month due to end of Ramadan in early August and Eid celebration from Thursday, 8th August till 12th August. I returned to work on Tuesday, 13th concluded avery simple and humble eid celebration. What I would like to share in this entry is the meaning of Ramadan and how the Muslim performed the obligatory rituals obediently. Ramadan falls on the 9th of the Islamic calendar where Muslims worldwide observe 29 or 30 days fasting. The annual observance is regarded as one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Usually, the month lasts 29 or 30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths. Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding (to be replaced @ paid before the next Ramadan).

The boy fallen into a deep sleep after Tarawikh Prayer

While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking and engaging in sexual relations. Food and drink is served daily, before sunrise and after sunset. For the record, Hindus when fasting are permitted to drink. According to Islam, the rewards of fasting are many, but in this month they are believed to be multiplied, therefore, during Ramadan Muslim typically includes the increased offering of prayers and recitation of the Quran.

Listening to Kuliah between Tarawikh and Witir prayer break

Quran 2:185 states "The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful". Hence, according to the Quran, Prophet Muhammad first received revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra. The predominant practice in Ramadan is fasting from sunrise to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the "sahur", while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is the "iftar". Muslims also engage in increased prayer, such as Tarawikh prayer and charity during Ramadan.

View from ladies section

Tarawih prayer (non-compulsory) refers to extra prayers performed by Muslims at night after Isha' prayer in the Islamic month of Ramadan. Some scholars maintain that Tarawih is neither obligatory or sunnah, but is the night prayer @ Tahajjud prayer was shifted to post Isha' for the ease of believers. But majority of Sunni scholars regard the Tarawih prayers as Sunnah, a salat that was performed by the Prophet Muhammad very consistently. Tarawih prayers are prayed in pairs of two and can be prayed in up to 20 rakaat according to schools of Hanafi and Shafii. Muslims also believe it is customary to attempt a "khatm" (complete recitation) of the Quran as one of the religious observances of Ramadan. 

What you need: Prayer cloth and water bottle

Prophet Muhammad initially prayed the tarawih in congregation during Ramadan which is evident from Sahih Hadist. He prayed in congregation for three consecutive nights but discontinued this practice out of fear that it would be made mandatory, rather than sunnah. During the time when Umar was the caliph, he reinstated the praying of Tarawih in congregation since Prophet Muhammad fulfilled his deed and brought back to Allah and as such there was no longer any misapprehension of it being made mandatory. However, Malik ibn Anas prefers that Tarawih be prayed at home, if one has a strong intention to do so. Some scholars belonging to Ahl Hadis maintain that Tarawih is neither obligatory or a Sunnah, but is the preponed Tahajjud (night prayer) prayer shifted to post-Isha' for the ease of believers. As for me, I chose to be sincere with my rituals with Allah and I hope He shall wait for my return with open heart. Amin.

Full mosque, inadequate parking space

Remarks: Photos taken from BTHO new Mosque. It's beautiful, hence I can resist myself from sharing here.