It's Ramadan again! The holy month for all Muslims which people typically know as a time when we fast. By the time I finish this many people are already fasting, Ramadan starts tomorrow here. I thought of making a post on it and while I do, I also add some of my personal tips! Hope you enjoy this post and find this helpful and learn something new! I'll keep the post simple for everyone. ^.^
About the Holy Month
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." (Imam Bukhari)
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar. It is a very significant month especially because in this month the holy Qur'an was revealed. It is observed by fasting, praying and giving charity. The five pillars of Islam are: Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting and Pilgrimage. Fasting is thus very important for all Muslims.
Who must fast in Ramadan?
Every Muslim past puberty who is able-bodied and sane enough must fast. Puberty is marked by any of these three signs appearing first on anyone: Having one's first w** dream, growth of hair in private areas and reaching the age of 15. For a girl, the fourth sign is having her first period. Any one of these signs showing on anyone means praying, dressing modestly and fasting etc is now compulsory for one, he/she is no longer a child in Islamic law.
For those who are not in a condition of fasting- such as pregnant/breastfeeding women, people on medicines, senile elderly people and travelers- it is optional. But he/she either has to cover for the missed days later or feed one poor person one meal for every fast missed. Women on their period are not allowed to fast, but they have to cover it up after Ramadan. Those who are mentally disabled in such a way that they do not understand these things don't have to fast.
Not even water? Do you fast for the whole month?
Nope. Not even water. We don't fast for 24 hours. We fast only for the time when the sun is in the sky, i.e. from dawn to dusk. Which actually sucks because we're fasting in summer when days are longer than nights. :( But it's okay, we did it last year anyway. ^.^
What is the purpose of fasting?
First, let me explain what fasting is. The Arabic word for it is Sawm, which means to abstain. It is not just giving up the desire to eat and drink, but also control all your physical and emotional desires, avoid sins and pray more. S**ual intercourse or anything else leading to e**culating in men and o**asm in women are not allowed in fasting time.
The very obvious purpose of fasting is, certainly, experience the feeling for a month that millions feel everyday without food and supply of clean water. Ramadan is the month when we teach ourselves that we don't have to do what our bodies dictate or heart cries for, right on that moment. Train all the organs to avoid speaking, listening or seeing evil. πππ I'm hungry but I don't have to eat right now. That boy is so cute, but I should lower my gaze. Gossiping is fun but not good. I should not be rude to people and lash out hurtful words. I should not swear. I shall get rid of my bad habits and focus in improving myself. Ramadan is the month when Muslims give more charity and reunite. After Ramadan ends all Muslim men gather for a special Eid prayer, where men of all ages, classes and professions greet and hug each other. So the ultimate goal is, to become a better Muslim; a kind, humble and gentle one.
What are the health benefits?
Many people say that not eating for so long is sooo harmful, well, it has its own benefits as well if done properly.
I already mentioned the spiritual benefit. You learn to have control over yourself, you get used to working while hungry, and you get rid of bad addictions. It gives the digestive system a rest and helps to give you less upset stomach with time if you eat well. It decreased your level of bad fats and increases level of good fats that helps to prevent CVD. Fasting is also a great way to lose weight if you can do it in the proper way.
Fasting in the day and some tips (in bold)
Many Muslims prepare themselves by fasting some days before or praying more or changing eating patterns in advance. It's a good thing but I never did it, I skip meals a lot anyway. ;-;
Suhur Time
Fasting starts in dawn, and before fasting we have a pre-dawn meal called Suhur. In many places they play instruments to wake everyone up for eating. In our country nightguards simply call everyone for suhur. When we wake up, we first call our relatives and friends to ensure they're up too.
Despite all these, I admit I have been in situations when suhur time is almost up and I only have five minutes before dawn. The hurry for eating is real, I stuff whatever I find in front of me in my mouth. To avoid this in the first place, prepare your suhur before you sleep. When my time is running out, I eat foods that will keep me full and energetic for longer. Some foods like that are peanut butter (straight from the jar, two spoonfuls) or just nuts, yogurt, lentils/chickpeas, even a banana. Don't forget to drink a lot of water.
Unbearable heat
Heat strokes are very common here, and it's worse in Ramadan. It's scorching hot and humid here, and we're fasting on the longest days. One main cause of it is dehydration. To keep hydrated (in normal days) I always keep a water bottle with me when reading a book or watching YouTube, that way I always keep sipping. #lazy πͺ
Staying hydrated is tricky in Ramadan, but having two glasses of water in iftar time, two glasses in suhur time and rest of the glasses in-between can help.
Changes in routine
Changes in eating and sleeping pattern can have great effects on the body. A change in meal timing increases the risk of constipation, so eat a lot more fibre during the day. Constipation in Ramadan is the worst, it's so annoying to visit the bathroom so frequently while praying, ugh. DX
I love how I can be carefree in th morning though. I can just wake up, get dressed and walk out because I don't have to eat breakfast and fill my bottle before leaving. I can also sleep a bit more! πͺπͺπͺ
Iftar time
I know Iftar sounds yummy. It is but it's the meal and not a kind of food. :p
Imagine being super hungry and thirsty, you're cooking in that condition in the hot kitchen; you can't even taste the food because you're fasting. All mothers go through this in Ramadan. Then you serve those good food and drinks: the smell of yummy iftar makes you instantly hungrier, you can almost translate that sound of sizzling dish into "eat me eat me...". You still patiently serve the food, the family members come. The food and water is right before you but you can't eat now. Everyone waits until... that sweet evening Maghrib prayer call which signals the end of fasting time, which although is a call for prayer is like announcing that it's time to EAT... ok lol what was super exaggerated. π π
The tradition is to break the fast with dates. I mean the fruit. :3 All praise to Almighty nature doesn't deprive us of nutrients in any extreme condition. Dates are the only fruits you find in desserts so they are packed with all nutrients you need. Breaking fast (breakfast?) with dates is a great way to kick-start your metabolism.
Eating slowly is rather uncommon in iftar time. Maghrib prayer time is very short so most people, including me are/have been guilty of eating a lot and very fast, then end up getting a food coma and feel pregnant when bowing down to pray. I like to just eat some dates, drink a full glass of water then to go pray. After praying I slowly nom nom nom, have something to drink and enjoy! I'm not very picky about food getting cold, especially when I've eaten nothing for almost 15 hours. It is essential to follow the prophet's guidance to eat all the time: your stomach should be 1/3 solid food, 1/3 liquid and 1/3 empty.
Nighttime prayers
I remember I used to pray with my cousins when I was little, now I love praying alone in my room in dim light, people seeing my praying makes me uncomfortable. It is the night all Muslims pray until they go to sleep (if they sleep). For men it's compulsory to go to the media l mosque, for women it's optional. Muslims pray for a better life on earth and in the hereafter, repent for past sins, recite the Qur'an and meditate. If you're not very practicing, try making a habit meanwhile you read Islamic books. The translation of the Holy Qur'an, hadith, lives of prophets. You can also listen to the Qur'an or Islamic sings like hamd-naat. These are all great activities, better than nothing.
Working out in Ramadan
As a girl who learns martial art, I have to work out even in Ramadan. I like to workout right before or after Taraweeh prayer. In Ramadan we are supposed to slow down but not stop things so I stick to light/moderate workout. Two years ago when I was 14, I had to workout vigorously for a competition coming ahead. I had to practice in morning because the class is closes in the evening and no way can I workout in afternoon. I had to do it in morning but I don't recommend it, it increases the risk of dehydration. But morning is when I'm least weak so yeah. :/ For those who have to work in day, have lentils/chickpeas in suhur, it really helped me to stay energetic in the day and I didn't feel weak by that two-hour practice at all. For those who are trying to gain muscle weight, have protein shakes with every meal in the non-fasting hours.
Eid excitement
Eid is celebrated on the day after the last day of Ramadan. Finally we all eat breakfast and lunch, meet our relatives and friends, greet them and have a lot of fun. Before Eid we do a lot of shopping and give charity. When the crescent moon appears marking the end of Ramadan, we light fire crackers and greet everyone Happy Eid. Girls put on henna the night before Eid. No Muslim, even the poor is deprived of good food and clothes on this day, which is it is called Eid-ul-Fitr or "Feast of Charity". :)
Phew, that's it to this take, Ramadan starts tomorrow and I'm sooo excited, can't wait to make more Ramadan/Islamic posts in this month. Ignore my typos because I wrote this at night. Happy Ramadan! :)
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