Ramadan for me is a month of self-discipline. To build willpower via fasting, being punctual and abstaining from bad habits such as cursing (which I currently do a f… you get the idea). Some make a concerted effort to stop lying, as overzealous as I may sound, deceiving someone of any aspect of reality is one of my pet hates. I find many Islamic practises support character building and the month of Ramadan offers a period of 30 days whereby we are encouraged, more so than usual, to practise our religion thus developing oneself.

I find I’m actually a calmer and more composed person in Ramadan, perhaps the assertion of control over my habits and metabolism is the cause of such deliverance. I guess it goes without saying that fasting makes you a more patient person. Despite paling in comparison to the starving in 3rd world countries, fasting certainly gives you a taster of more difficult times.

Although it is not commonplace, I find it strange when I hear of Muslims desiring and requesting people to not eat within distance of them during the month of Ramadan; surely one of the major benefits of Ramadan is to build willpower so without the temptation where is the willpower? Additionally I refuse to expect people to change their daily routine and norms due to my beliefs. Another minor gripe is the rushing around I see of other Muslims, it seems like needlessly adding pressure, having said that it looks as if they revel in it and could be there way of gaining willpower.

I’m generally a nonchalant person hence the lack of appeal. Fasting as a whole provides you with a means of scrutinizing your diet, since you’re eating at very specific times (before sunrise which is known as sehri and upon sunset which is known as iftaari). With this in mind I look for healthier foods that provide a slow release of energy and help maintain a balanced digestive system. Yoghurt based foods, porridge and fruit salads are the norm in Ramadan for me as is a proportionate rotation of meats, fish and pulses. As a self-proclaimed foodie this isn’t too difficult as I like to try new meal ideas. Islam encourages moderation so I make my hunger is satisfied but not to become bloated when eating outside the times of fasting. Due to the aforementioned scheduled timings, you find yourself acknowledging the passing of time and find spaces in the day that were otherwise absent. With this new found time I’ve recently found space to exercise and with the knowledge I’m eating healthier, I’m in the frame of mind that every rep, crunch and curl is not being offset by an over-indulgent diet.

Gone are the fried brunches and toasted carbs with a spread of “it’s not really butter, but it’s still fat”, gone are the high-levels of sugar in the coffee machine (which I’m sure is the sugar rush not caffeine kick that gives me that added “perk”). The concern that is raised the most is that we go through daylight hours without drinking water. I rarely drink water on a normal day sadly, the lure of the coffee machine always supersedes the water cooler. Due to the added awareness of my dietary habits I tend to consume more water outside daylights during Ramadan, than I would usually drink throughout a full day outside of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time for self reflection. Abstaining can lead to self-consciousness but with a degree of fulfillness. The self-discipline gained seems to increase the desire to better oneself and the 30 days of fasting certainly gives you the momentum to stay healthy and increase productivity post-Ramadan. All in all it is a time for abstaining, which ultimately results in gaining.

Originally posted here