By: Mohamed Ahmed

Hello this is an article about my experiences in Ramadan and what I do every year. This is not an article about Ramadan, explaining what you could do, it is more of an experience article.  

Starting off, I have reached the age where it is mandatory to fast. That age differs per person but when you reach 14 years and 8 months of age you must start to fast. I will be starting earlier than that though. 

When I was younger, I would see my parents, cousins, and older siblings all fast. The effect this had on me was that I wanted to fast as well. So, when I started fasting I only did a half day, like 7 or so hours, then I would break my fast. 

When I was in fifth grade I would fast the whole day and the whole month. 

In the morning, typically from 3AM to 5AM, I would wake up and eat until prayer. After doing so, I would return to sleep but some people go to the Mosque to pray and there is a quote from the Prophet saying the time after morning prayer is a great time to read the Quran. 

When I wake up for the second time, I would go to school and then go to work. 

The no water, or eating, continues until the sun sets, then you can break your fast. At the table there is normally too much food and a lot of cultural delicacies. 

After this, there is another prayer that is one of the five mandatory prayers, but after this, there is an optional but highly recommended prayer. This prayer goes on until 12:30AM, or so, then everyone returns home. 

In the last ten days (the day is random), there is an opportunity for complete repentance, but this is if after sundown you participate in all the prayers beforehand and leave after the following sunset.