How Fasting is Going this Ramadan2 min read

It’s the third week into Ramadan and most of us across the UK have gotten the hang of almost 19 hours of fasting.

For some reason even though it’s very lengthy, the fasts aren’t as challenging as it was in the previous year. I guess it’s because they’re starting to slowly decrease after years of progression in the Islamic calendar.

I distinctly remember at a young age crying because of the amount of time without a morsel of food or a drop of water (it wasn’t even that long).

Looking back now the way I used to deal with fasting was foolish.

But having grown both physically and mentally, I like many others have significantly increased the amount of information consumed.

With a gradual exposure of the world and environment around me, I can conclude that younger me shouldn’t have been complaining as much as I did.

Ramadan is a time of reflection and recovery with what I think are the two main components to completing the month.

Those two components are having Haya (modesty) and the understanding of Sabr (patience).

Modesty comes in many forms but the best example of Haya during Ramadan is being grateful.

Kindness seems to be very rare in a place as busy as London but in a time of fasting, one must show respect to his/her peers or strangers and accept circumstances as they are instead of complaining.

Solutions to problems are found in thought, not unnecessary arguments.

A month of humbling yourself should indeed be carried on through out the year. It not only benefits yourself but those surrounding you as well.

Patience on the other hand is keeping the thirst and hunger in the back of your mind and continuing to do your everyday tasks.

Time can go by quick if you keep yourself occupied.

Patience also means that Ramadan becomes a time of careful listening. The quality of the listening to others and trying to help alleviate the pain of others.

Growing up in such a multicultural city like London has given me the chance to interact with Muslims from all corners of the Earth; sharing cultures while having a good time.

A tradition I have taken up with my friends in the last couple of years to at least host one house party during Ramadan.

In recent years Ramadan has merged with an interest of ours, football. So whenever there’s a match on, one of us will host the screening as well as Iftar.

One thing I’ve learnt this Ramadan after finally taking a full step into adulthood, is that with the more responsibilities you have, the physical aspect of fasting becomes easier.

An emphasis is put into learning; not only about yourself but the world around you.

We must cherish the things that we already have, for others are in worser situations than us.

Ramadan Kareem.