Ramadan: A Wife's Perspective (and a Husband's)

I peak my head in the kitchen to see if I can get a glimpse at what awaits, only to have my wife shoo me back toward the living room, reminding me to make use of the blessed time immediately prior to sunset for dua. I would let most of these golden opportunities go wasted if it were not for these not-so-subtle reminders. So instead of getting in her way, I take my wife's advice and spend the last few moments of the fast in silent prayer, hopeful Allah will hear answer our prayers through the blessed act of fasting.

Finally, the time for iftar arrives. My wife places a colorful bowl of lightly spiced fruit in front of me, and we both dig in looking up only to smile at each other, not wanting to waste a precious moment that could be spent on chewing another satisfying bite. However, we hasten to finish this short culinary interlude so we can get to the main course. But first, we must lay out the prayer rug to say the dusk prayer together. I find this to be the prayer with the most impact in Ramadan. I am standing before my Lord and beside my wife, having just indulged in a few morsels of food after a long day of hunger and thirst, and I realize just how much there is to be thankful for. Unlike at other times during the year where prayers can end up being just a "going through the motions" type of exercise, this prayer offers an opportunity to give thanks for all the things that we could so easily be deprived of, such as food and companionship.

Thank you, O Allah, for this meal prepared by the wife you picked out for me.

Thank you, O Allah, for this month to remind me that I need to thank you for these simple, beautiful blessings each and every day.

This article is reprinted with permission from altmuslimah.com, a Patheos partner.