Embracing Ramadan: A Day of Fasting, Prayer, and Orchard Work
Ramadan is in full swing, bringing with it a profound shift in daily routines. With twenty days of fasting completed, my body has adjusted to the new rhythm, embracing the demands of this sacred month. The sleep schedule undergoes a drastic change, as Muslims wake up before dawn for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, before beginning the day-long fast. Today was no different—I woke up at 4 AM, performed ablution, and joined my parents for Suhoor. Though I was slightly late compared to others in the household, I made use of the extra moments by doing some light exercises in the corridor.
Once Suhoor was done, I left for the nearby mosque for morning prayers. The sight of fellow worshippers engaged in devotion was heartwarming, adding to the spiritual essence of Ramadan. After prayers, I returned home and went back to bed for another round of sleep.
The morning calm was interrupted by my mother’s call, informing me that the gardener had arrived. I had been planning to revamp the backyard lawn, and today was the day to begin. Initially reluctant to leave my warm bed, I eventually made my way outside. The gardener had brought the necessary tools—a roller, fresh grass, and other supplies. As he worked, I stayed back to observe, learning about different grass varieties and lawn maintenance techniques. It was a valuable experience, giving me insight into something I had never paid much attention to before.
Just behind our house lies an orchard that originally belonged to my grandfather before he passed it on to my mother. While the orchard flourishes, a major challenge has emerged—pollination. Since most trees belong to the same species, cross-pollination is limited, affecting fruit production. To counter this, grafting is commonly used, where branches from different varieties are attached to the trees to improve pollination. My father had arranged for someone to carry out this task today, and I joined in to observe and learn.
Once the grafting work at our orchard was completed, my father asked me to accompany the expert to another orchard on the outskirts of the village. The process was to be repeated there as well. I stayed to assist whenever needed, watching the careful precision with which the grafts were made.
Evening approached, signaling the time to break the fast. With Iftar preparations in full swing, our family gathered to break the day-long fast together. Afterward, I left for the mosque to perform evening prayers. Later, I had an early dinner before heading back to the mosque for Tarawih, the special night prayers of Ramadan, which lasted for over an hour. With the day’s activities behind me, I finally returned home, ready to rest and recharge for another day of fasting.