One Fit Ramadan

Yesterday was the night before the 27th of Ramadan. Without getting into too much religious detail this day is known as Laylat al-Qadr, or Night of Power. This night can fall on any of the odd days in the last 10 days of Ramadan, but it is commonly believed that it falls on the eve of the 27th. It’s believed that this was the night that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) while was he was meditating in a cave. It’s mentioned in the Quran that this night is better than a night of a thousand months, meaning praying this one night is worth more than praying on any other night for a thousand months. While we have now spent this month fasting, giving to charity, praying, and purifying ourselves, Muslims tend to go the extra mile on this night.

The mosque was packed more than the other nights because not only was it a Saturday, potentially Laylat al-Qadr, and free food had been served, it was also the day the recitation of the Quran was completed during Taraweeh prayer. During Ramadan, Muslims gather each night and are led in prayer as the Imam recites the chapters of the Quran cover to cover over the course of 27ish days. On this day after the Imam finishes the recitation, there is an extra prayer which ends up going on for about 30 minutes (we timed it) while you are standing. Thank you CrossFit and mobility for somewhat keeping my back and legs intact for this. After all this, people usually hang out at the mosque until Sahoor. There are more prayers throughout the night but it’s generally a joyous occasion.

There is something about that night. You don’t feel tired, annoyed, or grumpy because of the lack of sleep. You tend to take in every minute and hope the clock slows down because even with all of the praying and asking for forgiveness, you have this feeling that you are having fun. Maybe it’s just me but I had a great time and inshAllah I will get to do it again next year.

For Sahoor

I had some extra chicken left over from the night before that I ate. Why do I keep forgetting that it isn’t easy to eat chicken in the morning? Anyways, I had a serving of fruit that consisted of watermelon and an apple. I finished it up with a protein shake.

WOD

I didn’t do a CrossFit workout but I did do the next day on the Ab Challenge calendar.

For Iftar

This is going to sound nuts or like a cheat meal but I had butter chicken (that’s not really made out of butter.) It’s a recipe my chef mentor, aka mom, came up with. It essentially avoids using butter yet still achieves the creamy look and taste. I think it’s some of the best butter chicken I’ve had even when comparing to some big time restaurants. I’ve made this dish before but on this night I can’t take any credit:

Just about every ingredient in it is Paleo friendly with the exception of a little bit of dairy. Oh what’s the recipe? Yeah.. about that. Sorry this one I can’t give away. Truth is I don’t even know it completely. I’ve made it a couple of times before but there are always a couple of steps that mom has taken care of. I’ll find it one day, and I may just share it with you all.

I did want to touch on another thing. As great and happy of a night this is for the majority of the Muslims around the world, the only bit of anger I do carry on this night is what I hear about it on the news. I’m referring to the idiots who have hijacked this religion of peace and demonized it for their perverted agendas. The thought of them using the Night of Power to possibly carry out acts of evil on innocent people is sickening and even during prayer where one should disconnect from the outside world, I can’t help but hold anger towards them. May Allah bring sense into these peoples’ heads and bring peace into everyone’s hearts.