Khalil Rammal: Ramadan becomes "a reservoir for the entire year"

Muslims now are deep into the rhythms of Ramadan. Khalil Rammal, who is self employed, has changed over his cycle of days and nights to accommodate the fasting and the evening gatherings that are such a rich part of the spiritual experience. He says that by the end of the fast, he sometimes forgets that he’s not fasting for a while. This daily mindfulness, built up through this month of sacred reflection, becomes a resource that lasts for a long time. These are Khalil’s words:

   I get up every morning at 4:30, eat, and then pray. I go back to sleep and then wake again at 9:30.  Since I’m a real-estate agent and self-employed, I don’t have to get up at a certain time. I start my day at 9:30. In the afternoon, I read the some supplications from the Quran, take a little nap, and then go to the mosque.
   At night, I go over to the Islamic House of Wisdom to volunteer my time for about three hours. I help manage the Ramadan program there from 9 to midnight.
    I come home from the mosque, read some news on the Internet, and then I go to sleep at 2 a.m. Sometimes I get 5 hours of sleep.
    I am at peace because I love the month of Ramadan. It’s the month of family, and you feel good about rejuvenating yourself. That’s how I feel. Everything you do is worshiping, even the breath you take. I take advantage of the month as much as I can. I feel good because I’m praising Allah a lot during this month.  And Allah promises us rewards.
    I think a lot about religion and family. That’s why I feel so relaxed.
    When the month of Ramadan is over, I feel more disciplined. I think about things twice. If I want to eat something, I sometimes forget I’m not fasting. If I have a business deal, I would give it more thought. I try to keep the spirituality of Ramadan in me the whole year.
   It’s supposed to be a reservoir for the entire year.

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