I met Sister Mothyna James Brightful when she interned at the Baltimore AFRO during her senior year at Morgan State University, and it was evident she had a calling: ministering to women. Raised in a Christian family, her spirit responded to Islam in a profound and transformative way. For her it answered deep-seated questions and it fit her journey like a tailored cloth.
She’s a wife, mother, sister, friend, and entrepreneur who exudes the peace she’s found — especially when she’s doing the work of helping women find their sea legs in whatever calling beckons them. So we asked Sister Mothyna to share with Word in Black how she practices her faith through the season of Ramadan.
Word In Black: As Christians, we fast during Lent in an attempt to better experience the sacrifice Jesus must have felt as he journeyed toward his crucifixion. How is Ramadan different?
Sister Mothyna: Our fast is distinct in that we aim to find greater peace, not only for ourselves but also to share it with everyone we encounter, including family, friends, and co-workers. Sometimes people have habits they want to break, so this is a great time to do that — and not just with food. It could mean spending less time watching TV or cutting back on sweets. Some are working to spend more time with loved ones. It’s really about becoming the best version of ourselves. Ramadan isn’t a health fast. There are health benefits, but it’s a spiritual fast. People compare it to intermittent fasting, but intermittent fasting is designed for health. Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslims although there are provisions for those who are unable. We submit to the instruction in the Holy Quran in our desire to get closer to God.
WIB: What else should we know?
SM: During Ramadan we aim to read what’s called a 30th of the Quran every day. You can pick up a Quran and many of them are now separated into 30 parts. So, you have a section that you read, called the Juz, every single day and that should become the dominant part of your discussion throughout the course of your day. By the end of Ramadan, you would have read the entire Quran.
WIB: I love this. I need to get one.
SM: It’s beautiful. I have in my home three different Bibles, plus a biblical annex, plus a metaphysical dictionary, and a Bible dictionary. And then I have about four or five Qurans. I believe that when we seek to align our minds and our beings with God, it does require us to study, because if you think about it, every prophet that I can think of had to study and align themselves with God.
So for example, Prophet Muhammad, peace of blessings of Allah be upon him, was considered an ignorant man because he didn’t know how to read. When he received a revelation from Allah, he recited it to people. So at first it was our recitation. And then it was written down. And guess who was entrusted to hold the written works? Women.
WIB: Do people eat before sunrise?
SM: Some people do that meal which is called suhoor. Most make sure they have water before the fast begins each morning. People who are diabetic can’t go as long without food. People who have to take their meds, it is permissible. Some people want to have their coffee.
WIB: I forget how much Ramadan is affected by the calendar as well as the season.
SM: Yes. It begins in the evening of March 10 and ends on April 10. The times will be exact according to the new moon, as the Islamic calendar is Lunar.
WIB: So tell us about that evening meal.
SM: Culturally a lot of Muslims will break their fast with a date because they’re highly nutritious. It’s a good way to reactivate the body. I also like to drink something warm, like tea or room temperature water. You break your fast. Then you go pray because just like you break your fast at the prayer time, you start your fast, in theory, at prayer time. You break your fast as a family — as friends. And you pray the same way as a group.
WIB: Give me a typical meal.
SM: That is really very culturally driven, I try to have a balanced meal, meaning we have some soup, some vegetables, maybe some couscous. But later in Ramadan, your stomach shrinks so you can’t eat as much.
WIB: How does observing Ramadan affect your work day?
SM: I get up and work out in the morning before the sun comes up. I also kickbox two days a week, and that’s like 5:00 a.m. I know a sister who says the first three days are always the most difficult for her, so she reduces her work day.
WIB: And this is something everyone can do?
SM: There are provisions for women who still receive their menses. You don’t fast during that period. Breastfeeding mothers shouldn’t fast. If you’re sick, you shouldn’t fast. You can make up those days another time or you can do an act of kindness like feeding someone. And that will absolve you of that particular day.