Ramadan diaries: 'Without distractions, we spend most of our day praying'

A member of the Bohra community, Hussain said that Ramadan days, as he knew it, was usually "more rushed and hectic".

Indian expat Hamid Hussain, who has been in the UAE since 1992, said this Ramadan is definitely going to be remembered as the "most memorable and unique".
Hussain, who hails from Indore, said: "I would say that because although there are restrictions in moving out and socialising, our bodies are getting good request and our soul the heightened spiritual nourishment through uninterrupted worship."
He had sent his family to India for vacation, so he is currently living with his three cousins in his apartment in the Naif area.
"This is the first Ramadan I am spending away from my wife and children but, thankfully, my cousins are giving me good company," he said.
"When the heightened restrictions were put in place, all of us cousins have stayed home, spending most of our time reciting the Quran and praying together.
"Also, this is the first time I am able to pray all my five prayers at home with my three cousins. I must say I have rediscovered a new pleasure of praying at home."
All these things were new to him, he said, as he used to find it difficult to finish even one chapter of the holy Quran.
"There used to be a lot of distractions, like socialising at iftars and going out. However, this year with social distancing, self-quarantine in place I am managing to complete almost two chapters."
A member of the Bohra community, Hussain said that Ramadan days, as he knew it, was usually "more rushed and hectic". He and his family would end their fast with the community at a nearby mosque.
"This time, my cousins and I are making our iftar ourselves at home and it is indeed a wonderful feeling."
"Our iftar mostly comprises fruits and juices, dates and some fried items, while our suhoor is a healthy breakfast of egg, bread, and tea."
The traditional way of ending the fast in their Bohra community is by first saying Bismillah (in the name of Allah) and then everyone tastes a pinch of white salt to "normalise their taste" and then they get on to the Iftar snacks."
Hussain said since all his cousins have divided work of suhoor and iftar, they have been getting enough rest.
"All four of us are charged up at suhoor and iftar time and we are able to manage things very well even without our families."
"After praying our evening and night prayers together, we also manage to get up in the middle of the night and spend more time praying and seeking forgiveness from God."
Hussain also connects with his family who are in Indore, his wife and two sons, over videoconferencing every day.
"I do miss my family, but thank God for videoconferencing applications and technology that I manage to not only speak to them every day but also listen to my sons' recitation of the Quran."
An hour before iftar, he rings them and then they start off a video call session with a Quran recitation.
RECIPE OF THE DAY
Bohra Gol Paani (Jaggery water drink)
Gol Paani literally means a refreshing drink made of jaggery and water with sabja seeds (basil seeds) said to provide cooling sensation in the stomach after a day-long fast.
Ingredients:
>1kg (small cubes or grated) jaggery
>1 litre or more water
>2 tbsp sabja seeds
>2-4 tbsp lime juice
>Mint leaves, for garnishing
Preparation
1- In a large steel pot, place jaggery cubes and cover with water.
2-Let it sit for 4-6 hours till jaggery melts. Add more water as needed to adjust the sweetness.
3-Just before making the juice, soak sabja seeds in 1/4 cup water and let it rise. It will look sticky when done.
4-Add mint, lime juice and sabja seeds in jaggery water. Give a good stir and do a taste test.
5-Chill and serve.
saman@khaleejtimes.com 

• Ramadan 2021