Letter from a prisoner - I saw the sunset

At some point or other, each one of us has marveled at the majestic sight of the sun setting. Like the majority of things in our lives, it is one of the daily occurrences that we simply take for granted. 

The last time I saw a sunset was over 7 years ago. The last one that I remember was the weekend before I came to prison. I watched the sun set over the Kruger National Park, an incredible image that is etched in my mind. I was blessed to witness sunsets in spectacular locations all over the world. In Ramadhaan, I cannot help but reminisce over the sunsets of Madinah, a seemingly otherworldly experience. Those images though have recently been replaced by the view of the sunset that I have been seeing for the last few evenings, albeit from the confines of the prison yard. 

The daily prison schedule means that I am locked up in my cell, well before sunset. If I want to see the night sky, I have to contort my body to catch a postcard sized glimpse of the night sky through the flap on my 5 centimeter thick steel door. For the past few weeks, I have been allowed to be out of my cell during sunset. After years of trying, Allah finally softened the hearts of prison officials and they now allow me to go to the kitchen 30 minutes before iftaar to warm food for those fasting. This has made a huge difference to us. It means that we are able to break our fast, in our terribly cold cells, with a hot meal, everyday. Previously, we resorted to using kettles and clothing irons to warm food, but now every fasting person is given a hot plate of food shortly before iftaar, in a dignified manner.

I am often asked what we as prisoners have for iftaar and sehri. Unfortunately, we all get caught up in being more specific about what we eat in Ramadhaan than out of it. It is only when you don't have the choice of what your heart desires, that one truly realizes what is important during this sacred month. That said, the barakah of the month transcends the prison walls as Allah blesses us every year with more than we usually have during the year. 

On the first evening that I delivered food for iftaar, I found myself in one of the prison courtyards and my gaze shifted towards the sky. For those few moments with my eyes fixated on the sky, I was absolutely mesmerized by the beauty that I saw. The sky was a pallet of pastel shades. Warm hues of orange lit the horizon whilst the clouds seemed to be edged in every shade of violet. In this desolate, cold, grey concrete building that is my temporary abode; it was incredibly moving to witness the splendor of my Lords work. 

Every evening since then, I have had the opportunity to witness the sunset from various vantage points within the prison. I have even had the chance to take a moment to break my fast whilst being enthralled by the spectacle above. 

For me, sunset represented another day that passed. Another day that I endured this trial that my Lord has given me. And another day closer to being free. Seeing the sunset has changed that mindset. As humans we get so caught up in the endeavors of life that we forget to take a pause and appreciate the beauty that is all around us and in everything around us. 

The ultimate goal of Ramadhaan is to attain taqwa. Our illustrious ulema enumerate what taqwa actually is and how to attain it. One such definition is that it is the consciousness of Allah. In watching a sunset, it is only natural to realize that there is a Lord who through His Grandeur allows us to witness one of the infinite bounties that He has bestowed upon us. I believe that if we are to see the beauty in everything and everyone around us, we would truly be seeing the beauty of our Creator; and thus acquiring taqwa effortlessly. 

Throughout my life different experiences and different people have affected the views I have on happiness, love and life. Recently, a friend was the catalyst to life changing decisions and becoming an uncle gave me such unexpected passion for life; but it was a sunset that brought me closer to the Lord of the sunset. To many, and even to myself at my lows, I have nothing and am in a terrible position. However, despite it all; I chose to see the beauty in everything and everyone, and that, that means that whilst my body is imprisoned my mind and soul are truly free. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? 

Eidukum Mubarak - كل عام وأنتم بخير

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It is with mixed emotions that we approach the end of Ramadhaan. I am extremely thankful and grateful to Allah Ta’ala for allowing us to benefit from the enormous spiritual benefits of Ramadhaan, the fasting, taraweeh salaah, charity, recitation of Qur’aan etc. At the same time I am sad that this Mubarak (auspicious) month has come to an end. For a true believer everyday of his or her life should be spent like how we generally spend our precious time in Ramadhaan, full of virtuous acts.

Let us formulate strategies and ways to uphold this spirit and actions.Remember true and eternal happiness, bliss and joy can only be achieved by leading our lives according to the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala and following the beautiful and noble lifestyle (sunnah) of His Beloved Messenger Muhammad (salallaho alaihe wassallam).

We should also remember that whilst we celebrate the joyous day of Eid-ul-Fitr there are millions of our brothers and sisters who are being oppressed and persecuted unjustly.Let us not forget about them.Take some time out to remember the Muslims in Burma, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, Syria and Palestine. The ummah is in distress and hence if possible let us contribute in whatever way possible whether it be financially or by way of your sincere duas Let us enjoy this day of Eid in a manner pleasing to our Creator and Sustainer Allah Ta’ala.

Eid Mubarak to you and your family and May Allah Ta’ala bless and grant you barakah (blessings) in this world and the akhirah(hereafter) ...May Allah accept your fasting and duas. Make dua for those who have passed on....May ALLAH grant relief to those in need, May Allah ease the plight of so many that are downtrodden,& oppressed ...May Allah grant Shi'fa (cure) to those that are ill and may ALLAH grant us a death with Emaan (faith) and true success in both this world and the hereafter…Ameen

Forwarded to me by my uncle M.I.Mehtar

Rey's spicy mince curry

1 Chop up 1 onion

Add to your pot

2. Add 1 teaspoon jeera

3. Add 5 tablespoons oil

4. Add 1 whole green chilli

5. Wash a half a kilo mince and cut up

2 potatoes

6. Braise the onions on low heat until

medium brown

         7. Add in the washed mince to the

 braised onions

8. Add 1 full teaspoon ginger garlic 

masala

9. Add 2 teaspoons turmeric powder

10. Add 2 teaspoons garam masala

11. Add 1 cinnamon stick

12. Add 2 teaspoons garam masala

13. Add 4 teaspoons fresh/dry red 

chillies

14. Pour a little water to braise the

mince

15. Chop up 2 medium tomatoes.

Blend well

16. Add a handful of tuvar to the mince (optional)

17. Add the potatoes

18. Add the tomatoes blended

tomatoes

19. Now add water and cook on medium

heat until potatoes are soft

20. Voila! Bon appetit. Can be 

served with roti or as a side dish

with kari kitchri

Letter from a prisoner - Ramadhaan behind bars

The New York Times

I have spent 9 Ramadhaans behind bars at 3 different prisons. Every Ramadhaan was different for different reasons and due to different circumstances but one thing was the same in all; no matter how many walls and gates confine my physical self, the barakah that the month brings transcends it all and brings with it sakeenah that sets my soul free. Ramadhaan has always been my favourite time of the year, despite the worst day of my life also being in this month.

The prison system allows for religious practices and for Muslims there are specific concessions made for this blessed month. The main change in the prison is that Muslim inmates are housed together in 1 cell. This helps Muslims to be able to not only pray together but to experience some semblance of quiet and respect for prayer; as well as being able to be in an environment where everyone has the same intentions. Prison policies dictate many other concessions but these are merely on paper as no Muslim authorities ever assist in their complete implementation. 

Naturally, the prison environment presents a new dynamic to the month. My first Ramadhaans were in communal cells. A communal cell generally accommodates 40 men but for Ramadhaan they squeeze around 70 into 1 cell. We did not mind this, if anything it helped to create a better atmosphere. Double bunks were transformed into quadruple bunks in order to create a permanent space for salaah, with the guys on the top literally brushing the roof as they turned in bed; whilst others preferred to rather sleep on the floor. 

The spirit of the brothers for the month meant that even staying in such conditions did not bother them. This was even true when it came time for whudu and the toilet. 70 men sharing 1 toilet and 2 basins is quite a logistical nightmare when it comes to getting ready for salaah, and especially for fajr. Some would take it upon themselves to play the role of bathroom manager in efforts to streamline the process, while others volunteered themselves to clean the bathroom continuously. 

Ramadhaan is supposed to be a time of giving up food but the reality in the world is that food becomes more of a priority in Ramadhaan than out of it. In prison, the same is true to an extent. One Ramadhaan, I was able to eat home food almost everyday for iftaar. One Ramadhaan I lived largely on bread and milk. Allah always made a way though for me to be able to break every fast with dates, and sometimes even with zamzam. The prison gives the guys 5 slices of bread, powder milk, sugar and either jam or peanut butter for sehri. For iftaar, guys keep their prison lunch. Breaking fast hours after being given the food means that the food is cold, so guys come up with ingenious ways to warm up food. Anything from a bucket of boiling water, placing packets inside a kettle, wedging food between hot water bottles and clothing irons are used, to great effect! 

The brotherhood that is shown at meal times is remarkable. I have had the fortune of making iftaar in Madinah Munawwarah where one is literally pulled to join the host in iftaar. In prison, I have witnessed a similar spirit. Even though most have only the essentials, they vie with one another in sharing and in providing for each other; sometimes even becoming physical in efforts to be the ones to serve others. 

All prisons have a shop inside the prison that sells basic groceries. These are a huge help especially during Ramadhaan. Items such as tea, coffee, margarine, instant porridge and the like make sehri and iftaar much more pleasant. Regardless of what we have to eat, joy still abounds at iftaar. 

The past few Ramadhaans have been in the midst of winter. This brings great challenges to us. For instance, making whudu with icy water at sehri, or worse still having to make a fardh ghusl, tests one in ways one cannot imagine. It also does not help that prisons have constant power outages, owing to defunct infrastructure or simply because of load shedding. One Ramadhaan, for almost 2 weeks there was no electricity. This meant no hot meals for that time, no hot water to bath or make whudu and no lights to do anything in. 

These conditions prove really difficult at times for someone like me who grew up as a Muslim and has been fasting since the age of 6. It is infinitely more difficult for men in prison as 99% of them became Muslim in prison. Imagine spending your first Ramadhaan, as a middle aged man, in these type of conditions? It really tests the faith of everyone. 

Seeing as most inmates have never seen the inside of a masjid, most never heard of taraweeh. It is natural then that many find the idea of 20 rakaats rather daunting. In all my years though, I have never had a single person complain about  the length of taraweeh; instead everyone remains committed and is up for the challenge. Some issues however do creep in, but nothing that is not faced in masjids too; like issues over whether the lights should be on or off, or whether the windows should be open or not. 

For some, fasting proves to be a bit too much. It is not uncommon to have someone being caught sneaking into a quiet cell during the day to have a quick bite or more often than not a quick cigarette. Others will feign sickness to get a few days off. The general attitude towards this is compassion and empathy as opposed to aggression or ridicule. 

As someone who is always the imaam and looked up to by the revert Muslims, I cannot help but feel for them and all I can do is to encourage them. It does not sadden me that some of my fellow brothers cannot fast properly, pray properly or read the Quran. Rather it saddens me that in a city like Johannesburg which is full of darul-ulooms and ulema that there is hardly any support at all for Muslim inmates. Yes, some have done terrible unspeakable crimes, but the day they became Muslim, Allah says He forgave all of their past transgressions, so it is time the community and in particular the ulema changed their attitude and assisted.

Don't judge a book by its cover says the old adage. I have learnt and continue to learn that lesson in prison. I spent one Ramadhaan in a single cell with a revert who was extremely passionate about learning. He reminded me of the stories of the sahabah (RA), for they implemented everything they were taught immediately. I taught him about tahajjud and for the year that he was with me, he never missed it for a single night. Another brother learnt how to read arabic, last Ramadhaan he completed the Quraan. It took him on average 4 hours to complete one juz, but he persevered and achieved what so many do not despite their abilities. Last Ramadhaan, I spent with a 50 year old ex-Hindu pundit. By the end of the month he could read Arabic and knew a few surahs by memory.   Another image that will always be etched in my memory is one of 4 or 5 men sharing 1 candle in order to read Quraan.

Inspiration is all around us, no matter where we are. The blessing of this blessed month are also all around us, no matter where we are.