~My Ramadaan Diary-The Five Pillars~

Since my conversion to Islam four years ago, one of the most recurring comments I’ve received from non-Muslims is their concern that Islam is so “strict”. I’ve been asked how we keep track of so many rules, how we still enjoy ourselves when we can’t do anything “fun”, even how we have time to do ANYTHING else in our lives when we have to pray SO MUCH.


That last one especially makes me chuckle a bit inside, although I try not to be rude when confronted with it, because really: we were blessed with twenty four hours every day by Allah (God) so how can praying for maybe three of those (and that’s including Sunnah and Taraweeh prayers) be SO MUCH?

I can understand how others may feel Islam is especially strict in comparison to other religions. But to put it simply, we do not have any more rules than any other religion; we just still try our best to follow them as the original Muslims did insh’Allah (God-willing), instead of shifting or bending them to fit modern life more easily.

In my last diary entry I talked a bit about fasting and the reasoning behind it. I attempted to answer a couple of the most common questions I’ve been addressed with by non-Muslims, and tried to clear up a few misunderstandings that seem to persist. I thought it was only fair after covering one of our five basic “Pillars” or requirements of Muslims, that I should address the other four.

Faith…Prayer…Charity…Pilgrimage

When we talk of faith, we don’t mean faith in a general sense. Faith when relating to Islam specifically indicates faith in only One God, and the knowledge that Muhammad was His messenger. When one chooses to revert/convert to Islam there is a statement that is made, usually in front of an imam (head of a Mosque or Masjid) along with another one or two witnesses. This statement is referred to as the Shahada and is said in Arabic.

Ashadu an la ilaha ila Llah, Muhammad ir Rasoolu’Llah.

There is no god except God (Allah) and Muhammad is His messenger.

To Muslims, especially converts, those simple words can bring tears to your eyes. Witnessing someone take their shahada is probably the single most uplifting, emotional experience that Muslims can have (other than taking their shahada themselves). This faith is the first pillar of Islam and is quite simple and straightforward. Muslims do not believe in a trinity, or the status of Jesus as God’s son. We believe in one god (Allah) and in the importance of Muhammad as His messenger, the one who received the revelations of the Qur’an.

The second of the five pillars is prayer. In Islam there are two different types of prayer, the required (fard) prayers that we must say throughout the day, and supplemental prayers (du’a) that we can make whenever we feel the need for support, guidance, or protection as we live our daily lives. Many non-Muslims have asked me why we pray SO MUCH. According to authentic (sahih) stories (hadith) that have been passed down by scholars throughout the generations, Allah (God) first commanded His followers to complete fifty prayers a day. Prophet Muhammad ascended with the angel Gabriel to the heavens to beg on the people’s behalf that we would not be able to complete this number of prayers a day. After much begging, Allah commanded that we complete only five prayers a day, and we would still receive the rewards as though we had completed all fifty. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, #345) The fact that we are given the reward for fifty prayers, by completing only five shows how merciful Allah is, and is an example of how although the guidelines in Islam may seem more strict, there is great reward in abiding by them. Five prayers a day may seem to non-Muslims to be a lot of time spent in prayer, but it is also time that prevents a person from falling idle, committing sins, or otherwise wasting time. It is much easier to spend this time praying than to spend it suffering from the effects of our behavior.

In Islam we are required to give charity to others. We refer to this charity as Zakaat The purpose of Zakaat is to spread wealth throughout the community, to prevent us from becoming greedy or miserly, and to help us to remember others during times of need. The importance of Zakaat is revealed in the Qur’an, as well as hadith. Although the giving of Zakaat may seem to others to be hard, especially in tough economical times, it is shown in many hadith that giving something even as small as a half of a date will be rewarded.

"Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity." (Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 24, #498)

The pilgrimage that Muslims are required to make is called Hajj. Hajj is a time of symbolically stripping away people’s social and economic standing, by wearing simple garments, traveling to Makkah and completing seven rotations around the Ka’ba, as well as seven trips between Mount Safa and Mount Marwa. At the end of this journey all the pilgrims join together in prayer, a time that is the most uplifting and spiritually moving experience in a Muslims’ life. After Hajj is over there is a huge celebration called Eid Al-Adha that includes prayer, and exchanging gifts. Although Hajj may seem to others to be demanding and difficult, it is only required of those physically and economically able to make the trip.

When asked if it is “hard” to be Muslim, or when confronted with skeptics who view it as too demanding I like to counter with this thought: Which is harder, to prostrate yourself in front of your Creator five times a day and beg for forgiveness, or to pull yourself out of a life of sin or despair that was caused by too much idle time and a lack of direction? Which is harder, to share your wealth a bit with others who are worse off than you, or to be one of the “worse off” with no one to turn to because you refused to help anyone when you had the chance? Which is harder: to stay strong in your imaan and avoid drinking alcohol, abstain from improper relationships with the opposite sex, and steer clear of gambling and cheating; or to lose the respect of your family, your relationships with your loved ones, and your potential for a good future due to alcoholism, pre-marital and extra-marital affairs and excessive debt?

This is exactly why when someone approaches me with their concerns over the “strictness” of Islam, and pity me that I don’t have any fun in my life I just smile. You can have your fun. I don’t need it, I have my faith…my prayer…my fasting…my charity…and my pilgrimage. And I am happy with that. Alhamdulillah.

Ma'Salaama and Happy Fasting.

Fashionably Yours,
The (yes, I still have fun) Mujahada in Prada

~My Ramadaan Diary....Fasting~

aSalaam uAlaikum and Good Evening My Stylish Sisters!

Ramadaan Mubarak! Subhan'Allah how time flies, I am still shocked it is already Ramadaan again. Alhamdulillah I truly needed this month to come again, in order to strengthen my imaan and insh'Allah ask for forgiveness for my transgressions.

Throughout my years as a Muslimah I have been confronted with many colorful and interesting questions and comments regarding my reversion/conversion, and have always wanted to write about them.  The accusations, inquiries, and downright funny questions I have had proposed to me has shown me just how misinformed many people are about Islam and our duties as Muslims. I was quite flattered when I was asked recently to write an article on a wonderful blog called Muslimas Oasis and decided I would take this opportunity to discuss these experiences and do my best to insh'Allah clear up some of these misunderstandings.  I decided I would do something of a Ramadaaan Diary, and address a different topic every couple days throughout this blessed month.  

The following is my first article.  Insh'Allah you enjoy!  And please, take a look at my introductory article as well here: One Muslimah's Ramadaan Diary

Ramadaan Mubarak!



Alhamdulillah it is that most blessed time of the year again. The time when all Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, or having relations with their spouse from sunup to sundown. The time when we all join in congregation to pray together into the late hours of the night, and read the Qur’an daily. The time when we make our best effort not to lie, curse, raise our voices in anger, or otherwise treat others badly. This is the month during which the Qur’an (or holy book of Islam) was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).


To non-Muslims it may be hard to understand why this month is so special to us. It may sound like a big sacrifice to give up food and drink all day, and a lot of dedication to pray all night instead of sleep after a long day of fasting. It is hard to explain the feeling of Ramadaan to someone who is not Muslim. There is a feeling of electricity, of hope. It is a time of renewal of faith for us, a time when we can concentrate on our imaan (faith) and increasing our knowledge without the distractions of food, drink, or sex. Because many of us break our fasts with our families, friends, or neighbors, there is a strong sense of community and cooperation.


I am sure that all Muslims have been asked many questions by non-Muslims about Ramadaan and fasting. Personally I’ve had reactions from others ranging from disbelief (“You mean you can’t even drink WATER all day?”) to disgust (“I think it’s horrible you would put your body through something like that”) to absolutely hilarious (“You mean you can go a whole MONTH without eating and survive?)


I figured, since today is our first day of fasting, it would be the perfect opportunity to take a few of these questions I’ve been asked and try my very best to answer them. I’ve included quotes from the Qur’an as well as references to what Muslims call hadith (ha-deeth). Hadith is stories and examples that have been handed down throughout generations of Muslim scholars about what the first Muslims said or did in certain situations. I only refer to the most reliable hadith that has been researched and verified by various scholars within Islam, so insh’Allah (God willing) the information I have provided is as accurate as possible.


     Question #1: Why do you fast?


The short answer to this question is simply: it has been commanded of us by Allah and is one of our requirements as Muslims.


“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”[Quran 2:183]


But there is more to the story than just this. Fasting is a way for Muslims to push aside the comforts that food and drink provide us, and help us to understand the way that those less fortunate live. The reward for fasting during the month of Ramadaan is enormous, as related in this Sahih (authentic) hadith by Bukhari:


“The Prophet said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."


Personally, when I am fasting I put a much greater emphasis on my five daily prayers, subconsciously because it is a way of counting down the hours until I can eat, but also because I have a greater clarity and concentration on my connection with Allah. From a medical point of view fasting is also a way to cleanse your body and to give your digestive system a rest. Fasting enables us to worry less about what we’re eating for lunch, and more about what we’re doing to bring ourselves closer to God.


     Question #2: Does everyone have to fast?


Muslims believe that Allah is Most Merciful and does not give us a burden more than He knows we can handle. Fasting is not intended to be easy, but is not intended to be impossible. Those who are sick, who have to take medicine, who are very old, who are traveling, or who are physically unable to fast are not required to. Also pregnant women, or those who are nursing, do not always fast depending on if their child is getting enough nutrients and the difficulty of their pregnancy. The very young do not have to fast, it is only required once they reach puberty and begin praying as well, although many choose to start earlier because they are eager to partake in this blessed month.


     Question #3: Is it only food and drink you give up during Ramadaan?


When Muslims fast we abstain from more than just eating and drinking. We believe that anything that causes liquid to go down our throat including gum or breath mints break our fast. We also abstain from having sex with our husband or wife, from cursing or lying, and from raising our voice in anger. Although as Muslims we always try to treat others with kindness, this is a month that we concentrate on growing in our faith, that we attempt to be as calm, understanding, and forgiving as possible. This is a month that we do our best to share what we have (no matter how little we have) with others, including non-Muslims.


Insh’Allah this Ramadaan is blessed for all of us, and Allah accepts our fasts and our prayers. Insh’Allah (God willing) the information I’ve provided has been beneficial to all of you, whether Muslim or not, and as always…Allah knows best.

Well ladies it is getting late and I am exhausted.  The first day of fasting is always the hardest, isn't it?  May Allah accept our fasts and forgive us for our sins.  Ameen.

Ma'Salaama and Ramadaan Kareem!

Fashionably Yours,
The ("Yes, we do go a whole month without eating.  Muslims have superpowers!" LOL) Mujahada in Prada