Ramadan in Egypt: A Personal Perspective

Last updated on: August 6, 2012 at 10:27 am by emanhashim

Ramadan in Egypt: A Personal Perspective 2012-08-06T10:27:10-04:00 emanhashim

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Previously, I told you about Ramadan in Cairo, Egypt in a general way. Now I’m going to tell more personal details about what Ramadan is to me.

This year it is very different, since it’s my first Ramadan as a married woman. Yes it’s exciting and nice to be married, but let’s call a spade a spade: it’s a mess! I mean, I can hardly maintain any energy for myself to stay awake to work, or study, recite some Qur’an and pray, and that is it. The idea of now being expected to stand up on my feet for some time and cook while I’m fasting is so bizarre.

I’m lucky that my husband and I are not so much into eating lots of food for Iftar, and having just some soup and salad for Iftar, then having an another good meal for Sohour, but still this means preparing two meals a day, even if small ones.

Thing is, normally, I wait for the Maghreb (sunset) call for prayer, have a cup of soup, drink my coffee, and then I open my eyes for life. The idea of interacting with humans and being productive before coffee is so alien to me. I know this sounds so spoiled but it’s the truth.

Egyptian traditions are so good when it comes to newly married couples in Ramadan: we get invited frequently for Iftar from family and friends, which is so nice… except for the fact that we’ll likely have to return the invite!!

Typically, my Ramadan day starts with waking up around noon if I have no work, and in the morning if I do; either way I’ll be able to pray Asr in the mosque. Good thing about Asr prayer is that mosques are almost empty during that time, so I get to have the chance of enjoying being in a mosque, recite some Qura’an, pray to God and just embrace reverence. Also it’s really hot this year during Ramadan, we’re talking 35+ degrees, and you can imagine how hard that could be in a crowded mosque.

After Asr prayer, I either recite Qur’an, or have a nap till Maghreb – at least, that was before I was supposed to cook (sad face) – and wake up 10 minutes before Maghreb to start praying. When I say “praying,” I mean not only the normal ritual prayer movements we Muslims do five times a day, but I also mean talking to God and asking for his mercy and grace.

I learned something from Prophet Muhammad’s (Salla Allah Alayh Wa Sallam) companions, which is to prepare a “list of wishes” before Ramadan, on which all my prayers during the whole month will focus. So I wake up before Maghreb to ask for them. Last year, for example, I prayed for my engagement to be peaceful and to have a blissful marriage; this year I’m praying to finish my masters’ thesis, and praying for my career, and my family.

As I discovered with time, neither of us (my husband and I) is into so much food for Iftar, so a cup of soup, some rice, and maybe a piece of chicken, is more than enough. After which we enjoy 30-45 minutes of nothingness while we are having coffees – yes, plural!

The one big Ramadan challenge for me is not food actually: it is how to maintain a normal healthy social life, with either family or friends, with such a routine. It is really hard to ask me to stop one thing because it’ll mess up the whole day, and I know it’s not good not to visit family at all in Ramadan. Even before getting married, it was always hard for me to find time to even hang out with my sisters, and I remember being called “a bit introvert” because I refused a work invitation for Iftar once.

When I get invited for Iftar, I appreciate the gesture and enjoy my time, but the thing is that I eat more than I need, and I either have to settle for coffee that is not going to do the trick or bring my coffee with me and prepare it myself, which is not expected to be understood by every hostess.

I wish I could someday reach a lifestyle where I can do something like pressing on a switch button to activate the “Ramadan Mode.” And I know so many say that good Muslims should not interrupt life and productivity because it is Ramadan, since this is against the spiritual value of the month and also gives a bad impression about Islam and Muslims, as if we are lazy and reluctant to work. But still this does not mean that we should not make some changes in our lifestyles during Ramadan that fit the holiness of the month and allow us to enjoy what is supposed to be about and reach any of the expected spiritual goals.

No one says taking a break during Christmas, Easter or even summer vacation is giving in to laziness. Everyone needs a time to recharge physically and spiritually and if a Muslim needs to do that during Ramadan, it should not be perceived negatively.

Still, to be fair, the majority does accept it to a better extent during the last 10 days of Ramadan, although that’s especially for men if they are going to the mosque, not for women!

I still enjoy being a the bride of the family this Ramadan; everyone has been helping out to make it easier for me, of course by stashing my freezer with food, and inviting me to Iftars, where I enjoy the company of my own family from a new perspective. Recently we were invited at my family’s house, and while leaving I was about to cry that I didn’t want to go… silly, I know, but this is very new.

I guess this month will never stop being so emotional and so special. May God grant you all peace and joy during the rest of Ramadan.

For more on Ramadan, and to read the rest of the posts in MMW’s Ramadan 2012 series, click here.

Previous Post

August 5, 2012

In the Name of the Game(s) - Muslim Female Athletes at the 2012 London Olympics

Next Post

August 7, 2012 The First Ramadan

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advertisements Art/Theater Books/Magazines Cinema Comics/Cartoons Culture/Society Events Fashion Film Friday Links Merchandise/Commodities MMW Announcements MMW Highlights Music/Radio News Photography Politics Profile Ramadan 2012 Ramadan 2013 Ramadan 2014 Ramadan 2015 Roundtable Satire Social Media Sports Technology/Science Television Uncategorized Video Web

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to 2 Peter, what are believers partakers of?

Select your answer to see how you score.

God's kingdom Eternal glory The divine nature Christ's sufferings