Another year, another Ramadan greets us in the most blissful and gentle way. It is a month meant for us to pause from worldly activities and reconnect with the deepest part of our souls. It is a month spent to Allah SWT, for Allah SWT and with Allah SWT. 

As muslims all around the world observe fasting this month as it is one of the five pillars in Islam, it is understandable that struggles may come together with fasting. But fret not! Small Changes Malaysia is here to share with you several Ramadan Tips that you would find useful to practise not only in this holy month, but the months that come after.

💪🏻 Physically
Take your fibres in the morning Muslims in Malaysia typically fast for about 13 hours a day. That is, in fact, a very long time to last without both food and water. To prevent yourselves from catching any sudden stomach issues (like gastric, ehem ehem), do make it a habit to eat some fruits or vegetables during suhoor hours. My personal favourite would be a piece of banana. 
Move your body Just because you are fasting, that does not give you the free pass to stay in bed all day and do nothing. You do not have to force yourself to do a full-blown workout but walking, even in the vicinity of your home, would help your blood circulate better and make you feel freshened-up.
Keep your breath fresh This is also another personal favourite. Brushing your teeth or using mouthwash is definitely permissible when fasting, as long as you don’t end up swallowing them. They also help with making your mouth feel better, removing any unwanted taste left from suhoor
Eat modestly Did you know that every Ramadan, Malaysia would have an extra  75,000 tonnes of food waste. That is a lot. So eat modestly if you can. I know that going to the Ramadan Bazaar would make your eyes go haywire with all of the variety of food and drinks, but it’s best to plan what you want to buy to avoid wastage.  There is also this saying that says:  “Fasting for the entire day and being full after 5 minutes of iftar is a prime example of how temporary the pleasure of this deceptional world is.” It’s something for all of you readers to ponder about. Be mindful when eating!
Have a good night’s rest The month of Ramadan is supposed to be spent on nightly prayers, but that does not mean that you do not have to get a good night’s sleep. Prepare yourselves by sleeping early, and reward yourself by waking up early. There are so many things you can do after suhoor and Fajr prayers, so do not worry if you think that you are missing out a lot by sleeping early. Secure that 6-7 hours of sleep, if possible.

 

🧠 Spiritually & Mentally

Make lots and lots of dua

Dua is just another way of talking to Allah SWT. Sadness, troubles, and struggles can happen to anyone. When you do, sometimes you feel alone, and backed in a corner where you can’t run any more. During these times, you would feel so alone in this world. But no, for God would always be there to stand by you. So lift your hands up and dua, for He will always listen. 

Decorate your “worship corner”

This might come off as menial or unimportant, but I definitely think that how your room looks would motivate you to perform your prayers, Quran recitations, duas and whatnot. Go crazy! Decorate it with things you love, a scented candle, maybe even a comfy carpet that has long been left in the store. Make it cosy so that you are more motivated to turn to Allah SWT. 

Make plans with friends or loved ones for iftar

One of the ways to get your Ramadan mood on is by making plans with people you love to break fast with. Ramadan is not all about fancy buffets, and lavish food, but going out once or twice or even thrice with a friend and catching up over the meal would definitely lighten up your mood. And if you both have the time – you can even catch the taraweeh prayers together at the mosque or your home. 

Volunteer with organisations or mosques

Volunteering is a form of charity, or also known as sadaqah. Any form of charity is more than welcomed to be conducted especially during Ramadan. By joining such communities, you are able to make a change no matter how small and who knows, once fasting month is over, this might also become a new habit that you are passionate about. You can start volunteering now with organisations such as Small Changes, and even the local mosques around you. 

Forgive people

Personally, I think that this is the most important one on the list. Forgiving people who have hurt you or “wronged” you in some way is never easy. It’s hard to be a human, isn’t it? You have all these complex feelings inside of you, but at the end of the day, you do not owe each other anything. The one and only entity that has the power to judge all humans is Allah SWT. So forgive people, for forgiveness is a trait in which Allah SWT loves so much in a human.

So that’s that, – my tips on how to survive this Ramadan. Take one day at a time, and don’t rush into things so much. Life is, indeed, filled with competition but whatever ibadah that you get done during Ramadan is definitely not one. Everyone’s fasting journey is different, and comparing one’s journey to another is not feasible to yourself. 

I feel that it is also important to remember that since we live in the beautiful multiracial country of Malaysia, both muslims and non muslims exist under one state. The act of fasting is not exclusively meant for muslims only, it is not only for us to partake. Everyone and anyone is welcomed to do so, as there has been plenty of academic research showcasing the benefits of fasting to one’s body. 

Instead of praying like muslims do, our non muslim friends can instead fill in their time while fasting by doing mindful activities for your mind, – such as journaling and meditation. Overall, Ramadan is a month all communities in Malaysia can share, from the Ramadan Bazaars to tranquil and peaceful nights that this month will offer. 

Life is short and we are never promised for another Ramadan, so live this one like it’s your last. Love a lot, be kind, and do your best everyday to be closer to Him, for Allah SWT is always listening, and He will always grant you the things you need at the perfect time. 

Glossary:

  • Suhoor

The meal eaten before dawn during Ramadan, after which people fast until after sunset.

  • Iftar

The meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan, after muslims break their fast.

  • Dua

An act of supplication, asking for something earnestly or humbly from God.

  • Taraweeh

A special prayer muslims perform only in the month of Ramadan. It is not compulsory as Muslims can opt to not do it.

  • Sadaqah

Charity.

  • Ibadah

Different types of worship muslims do to appease God.