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anything
offensive. My hands should not reach out for evil; as my feet
should be curbed from pursuing wickedness. If I inadvertently
allowed heavy dust or thick smoke to enter my throat, my fast would
be considered invalid! Not only was I not to eat or drink during
the hours between dawn and sundown, but even when rinsing my mouth,
I was warned to guard that I not accidentally swallow a single drop
of water! Most important of all, I was to fast from my heart,
meaning that all worldly concerns should be discarded, and only
thoughts of Allah should enter my mind. Lastly, I must atone for
any thought or action that might distract me from remembering
Allah.
    From the time I began
fasting at adolescence, I was often forced to atone for my failure
to achieve full compliance. The Koran says that, “Allah will not
take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but
He will take you to task for the oaths which you swear in earnest.
The expiation therefore is the feeding of ten of the needy with the
average of that you feed your own, or the clothing of them, or the
liberation of a slave…” (5:89)
    Since the time of our
marriage, Kareem and I had lost count of the number of needy
persons that my failure to keep my Ramadan vows had fed and
clothed.
    As I savored my second
serving of honeyed dessert, I silently vowed that, this year, I
would astonish my family with my faithful adherence to
Ramadan.
    After Sara left to return
to her own palace, I busied myself devoutly studying the Koran, in
a effort for the spiritual month ahead.
    Ten nights later, an
enthusiastic announcement resonated from the neighborhood mosque,
informing believers that the holy month of Ramadan was upon us. The
new moon had been first sighted by a group of trustworthy Muslims
in a small Egyptian village. I knew that the same happy message was
being heard at every corner of the world where Muslims reside. The
time had come for all Muslims to strive to move toward a state of
perfection.
    We were six days into
Ramadan when Kareem returned to Riyadh to join his family in
keeping the important rituals.
    When Amani assured her
Auntie Sara that she would not reveal my drinking to Kareem, I made
a vow that never again would I supply my God-fearing daughter with
such a noose to dangle before my eyes.
    I felt a glimmer of hope
that all would now be well.
    During the month of
Ramadan, every routine of our normal life is altered. We rise at
least an hour before dawn. Ablutions are made, verses of the Koran
are recited, and prayers are performed. Then, a pre-dawn meal,
called Sahoor, usually consisting of cheese, eggs, yogurt or milk,
fresh fruit and bread, is placed before us. We have to take care to
finish this meal before the white thread of dawn appears, distinct
from the black of night. After eating, but before the actual rising
of the sun, more dawn prayers are performed.
    For the remainder of the
day, we are bound to abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual
intercourse. During the day, we pray at noon and again in the late
afternoon.
    As soon as the sun retreats
from the sky, our fast is broken by drinking a small amount of
water, juice, or milk. At this time, a prayer is offered: “Oh God!
I have fasted for Your pleasure. Oh God! Accept my fast and reward
me.” Only then can we take nourishment. The usual food that breaks
our fast is dates. After this light snack, the time quickly arrives
for the sunset prayer and the dinner meal.
    Each day before the sun
sets during the month of Ramadan, the members of our extended
families usually meet at the palace of Sara and Asad to socialize
and to share the evening’s banquet. A mood of celebration is always
in the air, for our dispositions are generally improved due to the
success of our self-control.
    This celebratory atmosphere
increases as the month of Ramadan draws to a close. Muslims begin
to prepare for Eid ul-Fitr, the three day feast which marks the
close of Ramadan. While many devout Muslims