The Muslim community at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center shares their experience of fasting in the Month of Ramadan, fulfilling a decree of their faith.
According to the Arabic dictionary the word fasting comes from the Arabic word Siyam, which is defined as “to abstain.” Ramadan is an Arabic word that means “to heat, to burn,” and it is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
“O ye who believe fasting has been ordained for you, as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may practice self-restraint,” says the Holy Qur’an Chapter 2, Verse 183.
Muslim men and women throughout the world abstain from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouses 29-30 days, from sun up until sun down once a year, according to Islamic tradition.
SQ resident Chester “Ibrahim” Gonzales said that he serves his community while fasting by volunteering to prepare the evening meals. He said that, he tries to submit to the will of God as much as he can in the month of Ramadan.
After he finishes his work, Gonzales said, when he hears the call to prayer for Maghrib [the early evening prayer] he tries to squeeze into the front row, because there are a lot of blessings in the front.
“If I don’t make it to the front row, I feel disappointed with my efforts,” Gonzales said. “I try to be close to my Sheikh [SQ’s Muslim Chaplain] to spend as much time as possible with my spiritual guide.”
Gonzales says that, when returning to his cell, he calls his mother, and for one hour he reads Qur’an to her. Afterward, he reflects for 20 minutes on how he could make the next day more productive. Closing out the day, Gonzales performs his final prayers between 9:30 pm and 10 pm.
SQ resident Keith “Al-Amin” Carter says this Ramadan is his 20th year of fasting and fulfilling his duties prescribed by God. He wakes up before sunrise and indulges in a morning meal and drinks plenty of water to stay hydrated while fasting.
“Fasting requires self-discipline. People who don’t have discipline, while fasting, they’re fooling themselves,” Carter said. “Fasting causes me to have a better relationship with Allah (God).”
He added that by abstaining from worldly things it caters to a healthier lifestyle. When his stomach is empty, he’s aware and more focused.
SQ resident and Chapel clerk, Andrew “Ahmad” Tungseth, says his day of fasting begins at 5 am, when he prays an early morning prayer called Tahajjud.
He eats a pre-dawn meal [suhoor] between 5:45 and 6 am and stops eating at least 20 minutes before Fajar [pre-dawn prayer].
Tungseth says that during Ramadan he reads one-thirtieth of the Holy Qur’an each day, as prescribed by Islamic tradition.
“I spend as much time as possible in the remembrance of Allah, [and] sending the blessings of Allah on our beloved Prophet Muhammad,” Tungseth said. “I routinely practice this to remain God-conscious, to insure my fast is accepted [by God].”
After Fajar prayer Tungseth performs a voluntary mid-morning prayer called Duha. He stated that for those who observe this prayer, a door opens in Jannah [heaven].
Michael “Mikael” Walker II said he has been practicing Islam for 19 years. He says fasting gives him the ability of greater self-restraint and an appreciation for the sustenance that Allah (God) has provided us.
“I break my fast by eating dates [fruit]. It provides the necessary sugar I need, and sometimes water, as prescribed by Prophet Muhammad,” Walker said. “Fasting enables me to acknowledge Allah and become closer to my Lord.”
He said that at the end of Ramadan, Muslims observe Eid-ul-Fitr, a celebratory Islamic holiday. The community breaks their fast together by eating something small, such as a date, and give Sadiqah [charity] to the poor.
Then congregation chants, praising their Lord, and listens to a sermon; Afterward, the community indulges in a feast from one to three days, with the likes of lamb, rice, and a variety of pies.
