Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed.  Sometimes, we seem to lose sight of that, in between all of our moonsighting vs. calculation debates and our obsessions with nightly rituals that involve hours of preparation in and outside of the kitchen.

At the end of the day, what really matters is the Qur’an.  It is a book, about which there is no doubt.  Muslims tend to be very intellectual people, questioning just about everything, but regarding the Qur’an, there is no doubt.  It is the book of Allah, and we treasure that above all else.

This month, I pledge to become more intimate with the Qur’an, not just in a race to finish reading it by the end of the month, but to savor each verse, ponder its wisdom, and make lasting, meaningful change in my short life.

Since I was a teenager, in my early days of Islam, Ramadan has always given me almost a magical feeling.  The moment the first day of fasting begins, I can always feel the curtain covering infinite blessings lift and allow the light to pour in on all of us.  Special things always happen to me, even when I show mediocre devotion and am probably not deserving of them.

The moment Ramadan begins, my dreams increase, or at least my memory of them.  They are so vivid and clear, and often provide insight into aspects of existence I had never considered.  I don’t know what this means or why it happens, but it affects me in ways I do not fully understand.  Therefore, this year, I also pray for guidance and more revealing knowledge of what this month of blessings really means.

I pray that Allah blesses all of those striving to seek His divine light in this holiest of months.  And may Allah send blessings of peace on His messenger, on the prophetic household, on all of those who follow them, and on all believers and people of guidance, everywhere.