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This practice can encourage us to depend more on God to get through the day. Thus, this practice can be humbling and purifying for the soul. Fasting can encourage us to slow down and that facilitates reflection. We can become more aware of our thoughts and thought patterns. As we become aware, we have the possibility of change. We can seek refuge in God when we have negative thoughts and not harbor them. We can implore God to help us and do our part to dwell in good positive thoughts. With a slower pace and spiritual focus, we can also become more aware of our behavior. This practice presents the opportunity to see ourselves more clearly and to reform for the better.
Thus, this practice can train, strengthen and purify our soul. As we fast, our soul can grow by following God’s guidance and remembering and imploring Him more as we observe this month.
Personal reflections and sharing
As we progress on our faith journey and our soul becomes stronger, fasting during Ramadan can become much easier. Therefore, if it is difficult to fast, there is hope. As we transform, our experiences including fasting can also transform. As an example, by God’s grace fasting is a lot easier for me now compared to when I started observing Ramadan.
In the past I was concerned about Ramadan and fasting, especially during workdays. After experiencing how God has helped me and made it much easier now, I trust that God will get me through it. I also know that it is a very blessed month with many benefits and a good opportunity to focus more on the soul.
Other than the guideline to fast from dawn to sunset, God gives us the freedom to choose how to go about it, including what to eat and how much to eat.
Of course, we want to avoid the few prohibited items and eat and drink in moderation, as discussed in the Quran. We want to use our faculties to choose well. When possible, eating good nutritious food is helpful. We may have different preferences and needs. I would like to share some things that I have found to be helpful, by God’s grace, in case they are helpful for others. Sleep (during the night or day when possible) can be helpful as long as it does not interfere with growing our soul and fulfilling our obligations. Of course, we want to hydrate and nourish our bodies during the night. At the same time, we don’t want to overdo it and overwhelm our bodies. It’s good to eat and drink in moderation (7:31). Our kidneys conserve water so we may not need as much as we may think. This is key: to eat and drink to fulfill our needs and not overdo it. For this it is helpful to tune into the body and take cues from it. Eating slowly and mindfully can help us appreciate and enjoy the food and avoid overeating. Fruits, vegetables and other foods with fiber can help avoid constipation. It’s good to have water nearby (for example in a water bottle or thermos) to drink during the night in a way that doesn’t interfere with sleep.
One of the blessings of observing Ramadan is the marvelous feeling that comes with breaking fast. For me, drinking that water after a day of fasting and feeling it go down my throat is a great feeling. After fasting, one may appreciate and enjoy good food and drink more rather than taking them for granted. Ramadan is a reminder of the blessing of having easy access to food and eating lunch the rest of the year. It is important to appreciate that we have food and can eat it. Inherent in this process of eating are the blessings of being able to chew the food and swallow it. We can also reflect more on the marvels of the food we eat. When possible, it can be a wonderful experience to break fast with others, share reflections and enjoy God’s abundant provisions together.
This is a special month, and it seems that our kind and compassionate Creator provides support during this month that makes it easier to fast.
Others have observed that it is much harder to make up days of fasting at other times of the year. The last ten nights of Ramadan are even more special, and the Night of Destiny (NOD) is exceptional. God swears by the last ten nights and tells us the NOD is awesome (89:1-5, 97:2-3).
In summary, Ramadan is a gift like the other practices prescribed by our Creator. It can help to nourish, strengthen and purify our souls. Thus, as our body fasts, our soul can feast.
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God reminds us that we must remember Him: [2:152] You shall remember Me, that I may remember you, and be thankful to Me; do not be unappreciative. Every chance we get to remember our Creator is a blessing. When God revealed Himself to Moses He was very clear: [20:14] “I am GOD; there is no other god beside Me. You shall worship Me alone, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) to remember Me.
Our Lord makes is clear how important the Contact Prayers are: [29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do. God stresses the importance of remembering Him: [7:205] You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly, privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware.
Ramadan is a wonderful blessing from the Almighty as well as a test of our faith.
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