Ramadan through the eyes of non-Muslims

Iftar or the breaking of fast, is encouraged to be held in a group – the bigger the better, to foster community spirit (Photo: Shaik Kadir)

Today, 7 August, the fasting month of Ramadan ends.

Tomorrow, Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitri (Festival of Charity), commonly referred to as Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Celebration Day of Eid ul-Fitri) in Malay.

“Hari Raya” signifies one’s happiness in having accomplished the demands of Ramadan.

Eid ul-Fitri is the first day of Shawal, the 10th month of the Muslim calendar. The correct way to wish Muslims during this festive period is “Happy Eid” or “Selamat Hari Raya” in Malay. 

For those not familiar with Islamic practices, this period is one of the best times to observe the colours, sights and sounds of the religious holiday and the obligations tied to it.

Three years ago, my daughter’s non-Muslim friend, Allen, visited Singapore on the third day of Ramadan and stayed in Singapore, in our home, for two solid months and gained  an insightful Ramadan experience.

We took Allen to the Ramadan night bazaar in Geylang Serai one time after breaking our fast at home.

This annual one-month long roadside bazaar started small in the 1950s, selling mostly foodstuff for those breaking fast. Today, it has grown hefty, selling even boutique-style Malay dresses and Iranian carpets, with the area lighted up decoratively till late at night. 

Another popular traditional Ramadan bazaar is located near the Sultan Mosque close to Arab Street.

Bazaars have no significance to Ramadan, and previously, some concerned Muslims have suggested that they be held before Ramadan so that the faithful could concentrate on the religious and spiritual aspects of the holy month. 

While staying with us, Allen learned that Muslims around the world fast from dawn to dusk without eating a morsel of food or a sip of water every day for a month. Smoking and even conjugal intercourse are halted during daylight period which, between the latitudes, is about 14-hour-long each day.

The infirm, the heavily pregnant, the sick and children before puberty as well as women having their menstruation are excused from fasting.

STRUGGLED TO KEEP UP THE FAST

The fasting day begins after a meal called sahur before dawn.

Eager to try the Muslim fast, Allen joined us for sahur, which has to be taken before the azan(prayer call) for the suboh (dawn prayer), the first prayer of the day. After the suboh, Muslims go about their daily tasks.

Allen struggled to keep away from taking liquids and faced lots of difficulties initially, but marvellously accomplished full-day fasting for many days. He realised that feeling the pangs of hunger would lead Muslims to be more willing to share food with others.

In observing us, he was intrigued by the five-times-a-day Muslim prayer, called solat, which is performed after a ritual washing of hands with clean water.

The Muslim daily prayers are regularised and performed in units, each with specific postures – standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting – with certain recitations made at each posture.

Worshippers face towards the Ka’aba in Mecca (called qiblah) when praying from anywhere on earth. The qiblah direction of Singapore is 293°N and this is determined by a compass. Sometimes, there are compasses at prayer mats, or it is indicated in prayer rooms, even hotel rooms.

Non-Muslim visitors at mosques are not allowed to enter it during prayer time to avoid distractions, but Allen had remarked that “it would be wonderful to allow them to watch the congregational prayer during which rows and rows of people performed the various movements in unison”.

He suggested The Sultan Mosque could consider having a small enclosed observation gallery on the second storey for visitors, and the best time to observe would be during zohor, the prayer performed at about 1pm, and asar, the prayer at about 4.30pm, since these are the times tourists usually visit.

A CONVERT

Each of the five prayers is performed after the azan. The exact time for each azan is not fixed because it is related to the precise solar timing of the day.

It was the azan that had attracted Low Seng Jin, 76, to Islam 35 years ago. At that time, he was doing comparative religious studies.

Now a convert, Low, who went for the Haj (pilgrimage) in 1974, said: “The human voice is used for calling of the prayers and this fascinated me. What’s more, the azan is not only soulful in its sound, but the words are meaningful, extolling the greatness of God and calling the faithful to success.” 

Low Seng Jin (L) a Muslim convert, waiting to break fast at Khalid Mosque at Joo Chiat Road on 27 July 2013 (Photo: Shaik Kadir)
 

The breaking of fast, called iftar, is around 7.20pm in Singapore, executed only when the azanfor the evening prayer, maghrib (fourth prayer of the day), is called out. 

Darul Arqam, or the Muslim Converts’ Association Singapore, holds iftar gathering every Saturday during which converts and born-Muslims break fast together.

To promote friendship and understanding of Ramadan, mosques and other Muslim organisations also hold iftar with invited non-Muslims or those from other faiths at least once during Ramadan.

Mosques in Singapore prepare a spiced rice porridge called bubur for people to break fast in the mosque, and Muslims or non-Muslims have the choice to take away the bubur. 

THE SWEETNESS OF DATES

For iftar in the mosque or in the premises of any organisation, bubur and other foodstuff would be served by the volunteers, and people would be asked to take their seats in an orderly fashion in rows before the azan to avoid the rush for seats. 

Upon hearing the azan, the first food item a Muslim would put into his mouth would be a date as dates are fleshy, sweet and energy-giving. The date is the fruit eaten by Prophet Muhammad when he broke his fast.

After a quick iftar, Muslims perform the maghrib prayer. Then, about an hour later, they perform the last and fifth prayer of the day, ishak. This is followed by the long terawih prayer, which is done only in Ramadan.

It was during Ramadan that the initial parts of the Quran were first revealed. In the mosque, after the terawih prayer, those who stay behind for itiqaf (self-reflection) would read the Quran individually or in a group. They go through the Quran each night until the whole Book is read by the end of Ramadan.

When Eid ul-Fitri arrived, Allen realised that Muslims celebrate it for having accomplished the rigours of self-discipline and spiritual uplift.

The early morning of Hari Raya sees Muslims heading in droves to any of the 71 mosques for the Eid ul-Fitri prayer. By about noon, families visit their elders, relatives and friends to enhance fraternity and relationship.  

A year after his first Ramadan experience, Allen returned to Singapore and converted to Islam at Darul Arqam before getting married to my daughter. 

Munirah (R) and her husband Allen, a Muslim convert, who learnt more about the Islamic faith and the practices while he was in Singapore in 2010.
 

Tomorrow, 8 August, as in the past 20 years, my non-Muslim friends would celebrate Hari Raya with me and have delicious briyani cooked by my wonderful wife. A few of my daughter’s non-Muslim friends would visit us too.

On the second day of the celebration, Allen will visit my wife’s mother for Hari Raya with us. 

My daughter is heavily pregnant with her first child, a son, and I am looking forward to next year’sEid ul-Fitri with my first grandchild.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shaik Kadir is a retired school teacher and author of ‘Inside Islam: 101 Questions and Answers’ and ‘Islam Explained’.

*Article first appeared on her FB page here.