Ahamed Risny

RAMADAN

Ramadan is here, Here is Ramadan.
Ramadan is coming, The time that is blessed.
Ramadan is coming, The time we love best.
The month in which the Qur'an was sent;
A time of great blessing in which to repent.
Fasting for Allah is a great Muslim deed;
Controlling desires and Suppressing greed.

Ramadan is coming, Increase your Iman.
Ramadan is coming, Recite the Qur'an.
Taking "Suhur" in the dead of the Night;
No eating no drinking during the daylight.
Refrain from bad deeds and repent your soul;
The pleasure of Allah is our only goal.

Ramadan is coming, so let us prepare.
Ramadan is coming; there is peace everywhere,
Even if there is hunger, remember your Lord
And wait until 'Iftar' to earn your reward.
Fasting is one of the gifts of Allah
Given to believers to increase 'Taqwah'.

Ramadan is here, here is Ramadan.
Ramadan is coming, so seek the new Moon.
Ramadan is coming, it will be here soon.
We pray to Allah to put right our hearts;
Ask for forgiveness from Allah and make a new start.

Raising our hands we ask for his 'Rahmaa';
Hear us our Lord and grant us 'Jannah'.

Ramadan in a Muslim Country

A new night
of the sacred month
the thin slice of the moon; the crescent
visible only a few minutes
to the naked eye

A sight beautiful
signaling new,
fresh

Greetings one to the other: Ramadan Mubarakh

And a few hours later
sounds of drums
Wake up! Wake up!
have a meal,
a simple glass of water!
Before the first light,
before you begin the fast,
make the intention
Wake up! Wake up!

And the day progresses, a slowing down;
restaurants closed, coffee houses empty.

And workers begin their trek home early

Late afternoon, the speciality stores open
selling the special once a year snacks,
crowds flocking and moving hurriedly
collecting their Iftar (break fast)

And mothers prepare the traditional meals
taking extra time
for the fasting family

Only an hour before the sun sets
city streets empty,
as in a curfew,

And now only a few minutes,
family and friends gather around the table
making small talk
awaiting the moment...silence...

Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
(God is great)

Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah
Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah
(I witness that there is no God except Allah)

Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah
Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah
(I witness that Mohammad is the Prophet of Allah)

Hay-ye alas-slat
Hay-ye alas-slat
(Hurry up for prayer)

Hay-ye alal falah
Hay-ye alal falah
(Hurry up for prosperity)

Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar

La illaha illal-lah
La illaha illal-lah
(There is no God except Allah)

And the siren, signalling the sun dipping below the horizon

And together, some with dates, some with a pinch of salt
"We take this food in the name of Allah, most gracious, ever merciful"

Prayers given
and later friends and family
mill around, some content
others tired, but all happy
on this day of Ramadan...
Peace

The holy month of Ramadan

For all Muslims has begun.
Praising Allah through the day,
From dawn to dusk we fast and pray.
We pay zakah (charity) for those in need,
Trying hard to do good deeds.

When the sun has set, and day is done-
I'll break this chain, but only one.
By the end of Ramadan, this whole chain will be all gone!
It's time for Eid and lots of fun!!!