Muslim Calendars begin each day following Sunset, rather than Midnight.
So following my Moonsighting Report, it’s now the First Night of Ramadan 2023, even if it is still March 22.
Fasting will begin at dawn tomorrow, Thursday March 23 2023.
For tonight, my mom wanted to pray the Holy Month’s first Isha & Taraweeh at Noon Academy‘s Masjid in Brampton.
So that’s where we prayed on Night 1.
Adhan Al Isha, The Call to The Night Prayer.
Salat Al Isha, The Night Prayer.
We had arrived early enough to make the first line.
The brothers’ had filled the first four rows of the prayer hall, by my count, about 100 men and perhaps a similar number of sisters were here.
Plus the random number of children who are always hard to count.
So maybe one hundred and fifty worshippers were present for Salat Al Isha.
The Imam of Noon Academy, Shaykh Waleed Almakee, shared some short reminders before Salat Al Taraweeh began.
Among the reminders was reciting the dua that The Prophet, Upon Whom Be Peace, recited upon seeing the new crescent.
Shaykh Waleed recited it and then asked us to repeat after him…
اللَّهُمَّ أَهْلِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلاَمَةِ وَالإِسْلاَمِ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ
Allahumma ahlilhu `alainā bil-yumni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-Islam, rabbi wa rabbuk Allah
O Allah, bring it over us with blessing and faith, and security and Islam.
My Lord and your Lord is Allah.
[ Tirmidhi: 3451 ]
…In this way, everybody present ended up reciting the dua upon sighting of the new crescent.
In First Nights of Ramadans past, I can’t recall an Imam asking us to recite this dua along with him.
I’ve heard the Dua, but reciting it…hmmm.
Well, Noon Academy is an Islamic School, and Shaykh Waleed is an educator, how could I not learn something tonight.
Another reminder was that Imam Shafi’i held the opinion that Zakat Al-Fitr can be paid from the beginning of Ramadan.
Noon Academy is following that opinion and already assigned a specific Donation Box earmarked for Zakat al-Fitr on this First Night of Ramadan.
The Qiraat, Qur’an Recitation, during Taraweeh was melodious and unrushed.
After four Rakats, the congregration pauses and collectively recites Surah Al-Iklahs three times.
It’s Tag-Team-Taraweeh after four Rakats, with Shaykh Waleed leading Rakats five through eight.
We prayed Eight Rakats (units) of Taraweeh, as that was what my Mom is able to do nowadays.
Noon Academy completes 20 Rakats each night.
Ramadan 2023 has begun and beginning tonight, I’ve started wearing my Green Square again.
Noon Academy in Brampton has nightly Taraweeh and Community Iftars on Saturday, with pre-registration required.
And if you do come to Noon Academy, it’s Bring You Own Water Bottle . . .
