The Three States of Ramadan
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

Ramadan, the beginning of which is mercy, the middle forgiveness, and the end release from Hellfire, is a lot like the prayer with its standing, the bowing down, and the prostration. When Ramadan came we all rolled our sleeves and got ready for worship. Just like standing at the beginning of our prayer. Every believer did this in his/her own way.

Ramadan Butterflies
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

One of our friends who wrote a reflection about Ramadan upon our request is dear Ayşe Şebnem Yeşilkaya. She compares our Ramadan joy to the gaiety of butterflies in spring, our enthusiasm in charity to the flight of butterflies from flower to flower, our slowly refining souls to the elegance of butterflies, and the transitory nature of this season of happiness to the short life of a butterfly:

Our Feelings in Ramadan
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

I saw the crescent in the sky of the dark blue night, in the red of the flag, on the top of the dome, above the Neretva.* I had a difficult time fasting through the long hours. The gates of divine help opened wide. The sun hid its heat, and the clouds wished the fasters well. Little children envied the adults having suhoor and fasted with food breaks in between. Then they took the next step and fasted all day. Grandparents competed with each other to reward these kids in this life, leaving the reward of the afterlife to their Lord.

Narrowing the Ways of Satan
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

In the words of al-Ghazali, lusts are grazing grounds for the devils. As long as there is something to be grazed on, Satan will be present. Fasting, through which one establishes a mastery over one’s most fundamental (and unmanageable) drives – i.e. his self, narrows the activity field of the Satan and opens space for our soul to expand.

Ramadan Increases and Decreases
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

With the onset of Ramadan our eating and drinking, and even our sleep decrease. Our vivaciousness and our gallivanting stop; instead a tranquility and a sobriety take over us. We have a month-long experience of eating little, sleeping little, and speaking little, which are the three conditions for becoming a spiritually mature human being.

Ramadan Mobilization
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

During the month of Ramadan we see a dramatic increase in all acts of worship. In these blessed days prayer, charity, and preoccupation with the Quran are at their highest for many of us. This fact is also manifest in the prophetic narrations that deal with the month of Ramadan.

Small, Sincere Iftaars
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

Thank God there are still people who invite close friends to their homes for iftaar. In these small and sincere gatherings we not only eat iftaar, but also meet people, catch up with friends, and have heartfelt conversations. We leave these iftaars having learnt something from the other guests and having seen a new practice or a new style from the household.

Climbing the Steep Hill
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

I haven't personally attended the iftaars organized in luxurious restaurants with crowded groups, but as I hear more and more about the amount of food that goes to waste in these so-called charity events, I can't help but write about the irony that such iftaars create with some anger-tinged sorrow.

Its Beginning is Mercy, Its Middle is Forgiveness
Lastprophet.Info / Ramadan Diaries / Fatma Bayram

It is related from our Prophet (s.a.w) that he said about Ramadan, “Its beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness, and its ending is liberation from the Hellfire.” The stage of mercy has come and gone; now is the time for forgiveness. The mercy of God surrounds us as a manifestation of his name Rahman, whether we want to or not, whether we deserve it or not. (His name Rahim, however, is more about worthiness.)