The eve of Ramadhan always brings a unique kind of energy. It’s neither Raya yet nor a normal day, but somehow, it feels like a mix of both. Today, I went to the mall, thinking it would be just another regular day but clearly, I underestimated the Ramadhan Eve rush.
The parking lot was full, cars circling for spots as if it were a year-end sale. Inside, people moved like waves, flooding every store, every aisle, every checkout counter. The cashier queues were long, filled with people stocking up on groceries and daily necessities. It looked exactly like the shopping crowd we see before Raya, except instead of preparing for open houses, people were preparing for a month of fasting.
But what surprised me the most was the restaurants. Almost every single restaurant had a long queue, people waiting patiently as if it were their last meal before a famine. The scene was almost comical, haha.. post-fasting syndrome before fasting even starts! I guess, in some way, this was the last hurrah. A final day of indulgence before we embark on a journey of self-discipline and restraint.
Seeing this, I realized that today, most people will spend their time eating and shopping. But once the clock strikes Maghrib, the entire mindset will shift. Ramadhan is here. The distractions will fade, and the focus will turn to ibadah, reflection, and discipline.
The First Night of Terawikh
Tonight is the first night of Terawikh, the night that marks the beginning of a spiritual journey like no other. For the next 29 or 30 nights, mosques will be alive, buzzing with worshippers who come together to stand in prayer, listen to Quranic recitations, and seek closeness to Allah.
I plan to pray at a different mosque tonight, outside of my usual residential area. A proper big mosque, with air-conditioning, good facilities, and a strong sense of community. The first night is always special since the energy is high, the crowd is big, and the atmosphere is filled with excitement and sincerity.
Since tomorrow is a weekend, I expect the mosque to be packed with people. Families, friends, elderly, students, even those who don’t often come to the mosque but tonight, everyone will gather. It’s a beautiful sight, one that only Ramadhan can bring.
One of the best things about attending the first Terawikh is getting to hear the mosque’s plan for the month. Most mosques have a structured schedule, not just for prayers, but also for breaking fast, tadarus sessions, qiamullail, and even sahur for those who stay overnight. Some mosques also divide the Quran recitation into 30 nights, meaning if you follow the prayers daily, by the end of Ramadhan, you would have completed listening to the entire Quran being recited.
This is what makes Ramadhan special, it’s not just about fasting during the day, but about immersing yourself in an environment of worship. The mosque becomes more than just a place to pray, it becomes a second home, a retreat, a space where we reconnect with our spirituality.
Ramadhan Eve is like a bridge, a transition between two worlds. From our usual fast-paced, indulgent lifestyle to a month of discipline, simplicity, and self-control.
Today, people are still caught up in shopping, eating, making last-minute preparations, but tomorrow, everything changes. The first day of fasting is always the one that shocks the system, not just physically, but mentally as well. We wake up before dawn for Sahur, we go through the day with an empty stomach but a full heart, and we end the night in Terawikh, feeling both exhausted and fulfilled.
Ramadhan teaches us that life isn’t about rushing, consuming, or indulging but it’s about pausing, reflecting, and appreciating. It reminds us that food isn’t a necessity every hour, that patience is an act of strength, and that spiritual fulfillment lasts longer than material pleasures.
Tonight, as I stand in the mosque for Terawikh, I will remind myself this is only the beginning. There are still 29 days ahead, and I hope to make every single one count.
Tomorrow, the true Ramadhan vibes will begin. But for tonight, let’s embrace the transition. Let’s prepare our hearts and minds, so that when the first light of dawn breaks, we are ready not just to fast, but to transform.
Selamat menyambut Ramadhan. May this month be a journey of growth, peace, and countless blessings.