When Ramadhan first came I encountered a dilemma: which prayer times should I follow? I've been using IslamicFinder's calculation method (Muslim World League) ever since I came here, where Fajar was 3:04 am, Maghrib 8:33pm and Isha' 10:34pm on the first of Ramadhan. But according to the Cambridge Muslim Welfare Society Ramadhan time table, Fajar was at 3:50am, Maghrib 8:36pm and Isha' 9.43pm. The solution is to choose one and stick to it, but which? Although some might just choose the latter since it is more convenient, but it is not enough to convince me. I researched a bit and I made a decision after reading an article on moonsighting.com, and considering that I am also planning to pray tarawih at the mosque I'll have to follow their timing, so it's better to just stick with the latter prayer times.
Following that, my daily routines changed accordingly. I now go to the lab around 1 hour later than usual since I now have less sleeping time. Lunchtime was spent at the library reading Qur'an and napping (10-20 mins only ok? takde la lama sgt pon) and I leave my department around 10-15 mins before maghrib and go straight to the mosque. Some people will already be there, reading the Qur'an and waiting for Iftar while more people start coming. Food was already spread in paper plates, which consists of dates, grapes, bits of banana, (occassionally) plums, apples and a type of cucur I've never seen before, probably an indian or pakistani recipe. Then they'll go for Maghrib jemaah prayers before going for more food at the back. The food will usually be rice with lamb curry, a plate of veggies to be shared and a piece of apple or digestives.
Boleh tahan gak la meriah puasa kat sini in my opinion, although the same pattern of decreasing saf lines for tarawih as nights pass can be observed as in Malaysia. The mosque was overflowing during the second night kalau tak silap. I heard an announcer asking the jemaah to fill in the front lines to make way for the latecomers who were outside the entrance. The imam for tarawih prayers covers at least a juzu' each night for 20 rakaats.
However there's something I observe happening here dari dulu which I really despise. Banyak orang yg pakai seluar macam takde tali pinggang je, pastu bila rukuk ataupun sujud, terdedahlah lurah yg tidak ingin dilihat. Bukan sorang dua jer, but anywhere I go there will always be someone in that vicinity who is doing that. To those people, I don't know if you realise this, but be aware that for women AND men, that is aurat, and it should be covered at all times, especially during solat. So when that happens how do you think it affects the legibility of your solat? And it disturbs the jemaah behind you who has to endure glimpsing at it.. There are so many simple solutions for this you know, such as wearing a bigger shirt that can cover your whole waist and the area below it, or tuck your t-shirt in. Kalau rasa skema sangat pakailah dua lapis, lapisan dalam tucked in. Pakai tali pinggang pon boleh, ikat ketat2 jgn bagi jatuh, ataupon tiap kali nak sujud tarik seluar tuh naik dulu. Senang sesangat.
But the main point is there might be so many little mistakes, even bigger sins that we commit without realising. It's important to be wary of those, and repent to Allah for all those 'hidden' sin, especially now we are entering the second 10 days of Ramadhan, the days of forgiveness.
*yawns* it's getting late and I still need to prepare for my sahur.. I'll take my leave for now and continue tomorrow.
Ramadhan Mubarak peeps~
;)
