Do realize that I have a long way to go but Ramadan is going well. I am almost completely recovered from my cold, I do not have any debilitating neck pain. My good health enables me to keep the promises made to Allah (SWT) by not only fasting but doing of all the things that I intended to do. Ramadan is, in many ways, worship on steroids for some. This a text confirmation;
He: Alaa how is your Ramadan. Goof for you?
Me: Ramadan going well actually. What about you?
HeL Same as you and I during terawih praying every night as for now. And I hope Allah will give me the strength to pray until end of Ramadan. Inshallah
Me: I sleep a great deal. Fortunately for me prayer does not require strength.
He: Good Alaa.
I do have some knowledge to tarawith, knowing it was prayers offered during Ramadan after Iftar in a mosque. It became clear that my knowledge might be lacking as it appeared to require strength. Did some research and found out that it does, indeed it does. Again Wikipedia is my source. This section uses texts from within a religion or faith system without referring to secondary sources that critically analyze them.
Tarawih, also spelled Taraweeh, refers to special Sunnah prayers performed exclusively during the Islamic month of Ramadan. These prayers involve the recitation of long portions of the Quran and can consist of up to 20 rak’ahs (cycles of prostration in Islamic prayer) A key feature of Tarawih is the completion of the Quran during the month, with one Juz’ (section) recited each night in congregational prayers at the mosque. While the number of rak’ahs may vary across different traditions, the practice remains a significant aspect of Ramadan worship for many Muslims……Sunni Muslims believe it is customary to attempt a takmil (“complete recitation” of the Quran) as one of the religious observances of Ramadan, by reciting at least one juz’ per night in tarawih
No wonder he was seeking strength to pray until the end of Ramadan. It seems like a marathon, running great distances after fasting all day, only to rise before dawn downing roof to begin again, I am getting tired just from the effort of empathizing with the believers and writing about it.
Tarawih prayers are not obligatory. Some Sunni Muslims believe it can be prayed at home, relying on the fact that Muhammad initially and briefly prayed the Tarawih in congregation during Ramadan, but discontinued this practice out of concern it would be mandated although he never forbade it. After the death of Muhammed Umrar ibn al-Khattab ‘reinstated’ the praying of Tarawih in the mosque.
This is my fifth Ramadan. I have never offered Tarawith prayers in a mosque. I do not recite the Quran in Arabic, it would have no meaning for me. I read my English translation Quran daily, looking for guidance and inspiration. I reflect upon the words and often read interpretations of respected scholars. It unfolds before before me, I am surprised by its immensity, its layered meanings and its relevance to the modern day and the conflicts we face. Many urge, even demand, that Muslims read the entire Quran during Ramadan. Such a task would be akin to speed reading. I remember an old joke about speed reading. One man brags: “I read War and Peace in three days using speed reading. Another: What is it about? What did you learn? He: Its about Russia. I learned I wouldn’t want to live there.
I practice my faith mindfully in a different way from those who find comfort and familiarity with ritual, strictly following the rules in an unquestioning manner. However, the wonder of the Islamic Faith is that it is not a one size fits all religion. Believers come in all sizes and colors; from the illiterate to the most brilliant scholars and intellectuals.
The term “one size fits all” has been used as a common, cliche phrase for over 50 years. “One size fits all” is a description for a product that would fit in all instances. The term has been extended to mean one style, procedure, way of life would fit in all related applications. It is the opposite to “Not everyone fits the mold.”[1][2] It has been in use for over five decades. There are both positive and negative uses of the phrase. A positive one: In military gear, some items have just one size (but smaller or larger people have already been excluded from military service). A negative use: Many customers prefer to have custom-tailored clothing. And politically: Politically, the phrase has come to mean that methods of administration or political beliefs in one country should not necessarily be applied to another.
When pondering the diversity of practices within the faith I searched to find support for my particular ‘brand’ of worship. Remembered a Nouman Ali Khan Instagram reel, the link in my Inbox: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGymJlXPhtS/?igsh=MThrMzk2dnJmenV5bg==
He speaks of Allah’s love for knowledge and thinking, using one’s mind to find meaning in parables, rather than blind acceptance. This led me to two reels How to Reinvent Yourself This Ramadan which spoke of the need to make this Ramadan a jumpstart to a new improved you.
Watching this novel approach to this year’s Ramadan made me question weather or not I should be following my intention of using prior blogs to examine my four prior Ramadans.
Nonetheless this Saturday March 8, 2025 does not seem the time nor the place to be doing so. Instead I shall focus on some of the delights found in during the past few days.
This morning I received a Good Morning Quote which held great meaning. “Love is a combination of respect, friendship, understanding, communication and companionship. Good Morning. Have a Nice Day.” Mine morning greeting had merely been two Avatars which were attractive but had no content. (A photo of the Avatars will follow the blog).
Yesterday two young male cleaners did an amazingly efficient job of making my stay apartment spotless. Their job complete they came to speak to me:
They: Are you a Muslim.
Me: Yes! I became a Muslim four years ago!
They: We are Muslims too!
Their question must have arisen from seeing my prayer rug and Qurans. The three of us expressed our thankfulness and joy being Muslim. It was so rewarding!
This morning I awoke early, drank coffee, ate a Kenny Hill’s salmon quiche warmed in my microwave, then went outside on my deck to watch the sunrise. Took many photos, pointing in both directions. Then later in the day editing and coping them I intend to make an Instagram reel featuring the differing views. Some of them will be pictured.
Another wonderful experience. I am having clothes made for me by a tailor – for me alone, not me and hundreds of others. Wikipedia speaks of tailors;
A tailor is a person who makes or alters clothing, particularly in men’s clothing.[1] The Oxford English Dictionary dates the term to the thirteenth century.[2] Although clothing construction goes back to prehistory, there is evidence of tailor shops in Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as tailoring tools such as irons and shears.[3] The profession of tailor in Europe became formalized in the High Middle Ages through the establishment of guilds. Tailors’ guilds instituted a system of masters, journeymen, and apprentices. Guild members established rules to limit competition and establish quality standards.[4] In 1244, members of the tailor’s guild in Bologna established statutes to govern their profession and required anyone working as a tailor to join the guild.[5] In England, the Statute of Artificers, passed in 1563, included the profession of tailor[a] as one of the trades that could be entered only by serving a term of apprenticeship, typically seven years.
There were many tailors in one generation of the Anandani family – Mohan’s brothers, brother-in-law and his sister. She is the only of of that generation who carries on that profession. Her only child daughter Pamela followed in her mother’s footsteps – she too is a highly skilled tailor. A couple of weeks agoI went to their home, was shown bolts of the most incredible fabric, my measurements were taken and we designed clothing suitable for a modest Muslim woman residing in a hot and humid climate. Yesterday the fruits of their labor was delivered. A photo will follow – a smiling selfie of my tailor and me. Upon receiving the photo Sharmir texted.
He: Wow Like a beautiful zebra
Me: Sort of a drunk zebra Hahaha
He: But it looks very nice. U are stylish
Me: it is amazing. And so comfortable and unique.
I wore it in public and received SO many compliments. One a woman loves to hear.
She: You have lost weight.
Me: Not yet it is only the first week of Ramadan. It is what I am wearing, hides all my figure faults.
Pam has returned to Kuwait where she lives with her husband. Sent her the photo of her mother, me and the clothes she held design,
She: Oh you both look lovely
Me Yes!! I love it.
She: You are having a good time with my Mom.
Me: Oh yes I am. We are making plans for other clothes. I will be the best dressed woman in Penang, if not all of Malaysia. If not all of the world. Hahahaha
Photos of avatars, sunrises, me, my tailor and Alexis’ new clothes.
