Community! That’s a good word to describe Ramadan 2025, the mandatory sacred fast performed by Muslims annually during the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. Many know that the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) starting in the month of Ramadan but may not be aware of the many facets of the month. There were iftars sponsored by the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, Dining Services, the Lewis Global Studies Center, and Smith’s Muslim Student Association, Al Iman along with a multitude of impromptu ones organized by engaging students in the CRSL.
Smithies with Sis Kim at the Islamic Society of Western Mass
Special appreciation goes to staff, faculty, students and our wonderful imams and sheiks who supported observing students in their successful completion of Ramadan.
Students prepared many of their favorite cultural dishes with ingredients supplied by the CRSL and shared them with friends and neighbors. CRSL welcomed President Sarah as she attended her first Ramadan iftar in the Chapel sanctuary, sharing how much she enjoyed the experience.
Special periods also included observants spending long dedicated nights of taraweeh (nightly prayer) and Qiyam (standing prayer) in community at the Hampshire Mosque in Hadley; and traveling to Eid al Fitr prayer celebrations at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center and the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts in West Springfield.
Bodman Lounge, decorated by students with beautiful lights, became an oasis away from home, with gatherings nearly nightly to break fast and make prayer in the Chapel’s Blue Room. Although students encountered many nights of little sleep and daylight hours with no food or water, it demonstrated homage for the gift of life. With the global frontier weighing heavily on hearts and the domestic uncertainty ushered in by a new administration, Muslim student life flourished despite adversity. For some this was their first Ramadan away from the comfort and support of family. New traditions heralded in lasting college memories.
Smithies with Sis Kim celebrating Eid in Boston
The shorter but profound fast of Shawwal is now underway. During the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar known as Shawwal, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) continued to fast for six additional days. It is a recommended fast used to redeem any shortcomings in the quality of one’s fast during the month of Ramadan. The scholars state that Muslims can take the fast non-sequentially in any way they wish as long as it is completed within the month of Shawwal.
Fasting is a purification process for the mind, body and spirit that helps Muslims renew, rejuvenate and cherish the blessings from Allah which the Qur’an tells us are too numerous to count. In a hadith (saying of Prophet Muhammad) Abu Ayyub reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he has fasted for the entire year. May the Fast of Shawwal, a voluntary optional fast, be blessed as was the fast of Ramadan. May the Smith community continue to support observants for this second collective fast. And may Muslims continue to be inspired to perform acts of kindness, good deeds and build community.