Ramadan Conscience

You won’t eat – to rest
and cleanse the stomach – or talk
to soothe, clean your tongue.
- Thunder Afternoon during Ramadan

Ramadan is more than a month of fasting—it is a sacred passage of transformation, love, and divine connection. Ramadan Conscience by Paul Abdul Wadud Sutherland is an evocative and deeply personal collection of poetry, reflections, and meditative prose that captures the essence of this spiritual time.

With a lyrical voice steeped in Sufi mysticism and personal introspection, Sutherland navigates the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of fasting. His words echo the stillness of pre-dawn prayers, the quiet hunger of self-discipline, and the overwhelming mercy that comes with devotion.

adhan to adhan
so many come to listen
who don’t breathe the air.
- Ramadan Moments

The book follows a sequence of poetic vignettes set across different landscapes, cultures, and seasons, making Ramadan a universal experience beyond time and place. Whether breaking fast under the English twilight or whispering prayers amidst Middle Eastern deserts, Sutherland invites readers into his journey of faith.

Through the rich tapestry of his verses, we encounter moments of beauty and longing:

Allah, You are the well that guides us to the well
the oasis in the wilderness guiding us to the oasis.​
You are the nourisher who feeds us on the way and
when we reach our destination you o􀇲fer a full cup.
- Ramadan Quatrains

His reflections are not just about abstaining from food and drink but about the heart’s journey toward humility and surrender. The imagery of a believer’s solitude, the crescent moon’s quiet watch, and the fasting body’s resilience breathe life into this collection.

Between our heart and mind – Subhanallah
Between toes and our fi ngers – Subhanallah
Between our legs and our waist – Subhanallah
Between body and soul, between 􀇴lesh and bone – Subhanallah
Between every heart’s pulse and morsel of food – Subhanallah
Between dishes on the table and fruit on the limb – Subhanallah
Between the raw dough and the baked loaf - Subhanallah
Between oasis and the endless desert – Subhanallah
Between ascent and collapse of empires - Subhanallah
Between passion and love, between impure and pure – Subhanallah
- Ramadan Moments

This book is for seekers, for those who have ever felt the stirrings of faith, and for those who wish to understand the profound depth of Ramadan. Whether you are a Muslim who has fasted for years or a curious reader exploring the richness of Islamic spirituality, Ramadan Conscience speaks to the heart.

Experience Ramadan through the eyes of a poet. Read Ramadan Conscience today.