Ramadan Mubarak

I never heard of Ramadan until I was with my ex. It was an interesting time. He would fast and I always made sure not to eat in front of him. The practice of fasting during Ramadan means that Muslims may not eat or drink anything including water while the sun is shining. Fasting is one of the five pillars or duties of Islam. I felt bad and well...it was for a month and he respected by beliefs so why should I not respect his?

One of the most important aspects of the Ramadan fast is called niyyah. Niyyah literally means "intention." Muslims must not simply or accidentally abstain from food; they must achieve the requirement of niyyah. To achieve this requirement, a Muslim must "intend in [his] heart that [the fast] is meant to be a worship for Allah alone." So, if someone fasts for political or dietary reasons, he would not achieve niyyah. In fact, according to scripture, "Whoever does not make niyyah before dawn, would not have fasted." The determination to fast is equal in importance to the fast itself.

In much of the Muslim world, restaurants are closed during the daylight hours of Ramadan. Families wake up early, before the sun rises, and eat a meal called sohour. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal called iftar. Iftar often begins with eating dates and sweet drinks to give fasting Muslims a quick energy boost, and it is a rich meal. It can include any type of food, but the dessert almost always includes konafa or qattayef. Konafa is a cake made of wheat, sugar, honey, raisins and nuts. Qatayef is a similar cake, but it is smaller and is folded to encase the nuts and raisins. In between the two meals, the night-time iftar and the pre-dawn sohour, Muslims can eat freely.

Fasting is so important to Muslims for a number of reasons. First, when you are not paying attention to your mortal needs such as food, you may be able to become more in tune with God and your spiritual side. Also, the fast serves to remind Muslims of the suffering of the poor. This idea reinforces the importance of charity during Ramadan.

Phrases of RamadanMuslims use many phrases to congratulate one another for the completion of fasting. Here are a few of them (in Arabic):
Kullu am wa antum bi-khair - May you be well throughout the year
Atyab at-tihani bi-munasabat hulul shahru Ramadan al-Mubarak - The most precious congratulations on the occasion of the coming of Ramadan

'Eid mubarak - A blessed 'Eid Fasting gives Muslims an opportunity to practice self-control and cleanse the body and mind. Many cultures and religions use fasting for this purpose. During Ramadan, fasting helps Muslims with their spiritual devotion as well as in developing a feeling of kinship with other Muslims.

Anyway, I sometimes saw him praying towards Mecca, I admire the grace in the gestures during such prayer. It appeared as if he was at peace. He would softly recite his prayers and then afterwards when it was time, break his fast. I learned alot about tolerance and being more open to other cultures with this person. Something I am eternally grateful for.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/ramadan2.htm