Ramadan 1439/2018: Black Muslims Reflect on the Qur’an – Juz’ 2

This Ramadan is extra special for us as we are celebrating 10 years of Sapelo Square! 🎉🎉 To honor this milestone in our journey of centering Black Muslim histories and experiences, for the month of Ramadan we’re bringing back some of our (and your) favorite reflections. Reminisce with us and if it moves you, share your thoughts in the comments. May your Ramadan be blessed and spiritually fulfilling. 

Please make dua for our brothers and sisters incarcerated, those in Sudan, Palestine, Congo and all enduring injustice, oppression and hardships every single day.

By Amir Sulaiman

Juz’ 2 of the Qur’an comprises the chapter of Al-Baqarah (The Cow) verses 142 to 252. In these verses, Allah makes it obligatory upon every able bodied Muslim to abstain from food, drink and sexual relations from sun up to sun down. It is also in these verses that the word “Qur’an” appears for the first time and the only time that “Ramadan” is cited.  In this juz’, Allah establishes rules and regulations and sets out warnings to the believers. It is in this spirit that Amir Sulaiman reflects.

Amir Sulaiman is a poet, recording artist, Harvard Fellow, actor, screen writer and producer born in Rochester, New York. His poems cross subjects of love, tragedy as well as what it means to reconcile humanity with the unprecedented trials of modernity. He has performed his works across the United States as well as many other countries, including England, Belgium, Senegal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Australia, Iran and the Netherlands, and continues to tour world-wide.