Ramadan is the most blessed time of the year for all Muslims, yet few receive a blessing as great as ours: having the entire month off from the grind of studying and classes. Last Ramadan was the first time ever that I was able to not worry about anything beyond my ibādah. The availability and abundance of time was a great blessing itself, but the true benefit came from a new-found appreciation for the value of every second of this month. I come from a smaller community in Indiana, and growing up I never had many Muslim friends, let alone practicing friends who would encourage me to strive harder and grasp the opportunity. Being in Darul Qasim before Ramadan, around many people who understand the weight of these days, constantly forced me to consider where my time was going even when I returned back home and was no longer in that environment. 

Studying Arabic for those few months before Ramadan brought a whole new light to every Ibādah that I engaged in. I still could barely understand, but even with what little I could, reciting and memorizing Quran, making dua, and Salāh – especially Tarawih became exponentially more meaningful and beautiful when I could begin to understand the words being said. I felt like I could more sincerely turn to Allah not merely due to the actual content of what we had been studying, but rather the power of the environment of Darul Qasim.

Attention to the Sunnah is very much present in the ethos of Darul Qasim.  The students and teachers alike dedicate so much time and effort into constantly seeking knowledge and speaking about the Prophet ﷺ. This connection doesn’t just stay in the classroom; it transforms how one goes about daily life, especially during the month of Ramadan. By grounding every action in the prophetic tradition, the institution creates an environment where following the Sunnah feels like a natural expression of love for the Messenger ﷺ, the one who brought all all the knowledge we seek in the first place.