21 Days Of Fasting So Far And I Feel Like A Better Human

So it’s Ramadan. It is the festive month of fasting observed by followers of Islam, world-over. It’s a month of abstinence, from food, drink and the simple pleasures of life. Here’s the catch, there’s more to it than meets the eye. If there was a bootcamp for strengthening and purifying the heart, mind, body and soul, it would hands down be Ramadan. The 29/30 day period makes serious changes to the observant Muslim, changes way beyond the weighing scale. Currently we’ve about a few days left of Ramadan. Here’s seven things I learnt in 21 days of fasting Ramadan:

It’s all about The One.

Voluntarily depriving ourselves of primary human needs, has us ask bigger questions. Why? Why are we putting ourselves through this deprivation, for what benefit and importantly, for who? Upon analysis of the The Qur’an, you will find the answer.

O you who have attained faith, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, that you may become mindful(of God) .

Qur’an 2:183

Fasting and the subsequent abstinence and self-deprivation required, allows us to acquire consciousness, or taqwa. We fast in ardent devotion and humble submission to The One- Allah, Our Creator. By doing so, we are fulfilling our noble purpose in life. Interestingly, no one truly knows whether we’re observing the fast or not, except Allah, The All-Seeing, All-Hearing and All-Knowing. No human can observe us 100% of the time. You could slip something into your mouth when you’re all alone, away from the prying eyes and ears of people. Evidently, our cognisance of the fact that Allah is observing us, and that He will hold us accountable, is what prevents us from spoiling our fasts. We become conscious that ultimately, it’s all about The One, Allah. It’s not about us and our needs and wants, it’s about Allah’s deservingness of our sincerity and devotion. We realise life comes from Him, we will return to Him, He provides and He withholds. It’s all in His control. Allah, is the True Provider. Thus, have we any choice but to be humble, grateful, repentant, patient and obedient? The question is rhetorical.

Life is precious.

There are people who didn’t survive to make this Ramadan. May Allah have mercy on them. Additionally, there are people who made it to Ramadan, but due to sickness, where unable to observe the fast. May Allah grant them cures. Moreover, there are pregnant and nursing women who couldn’t fast. May Allah ease there tasks. Of us are those who may not make it till the end of Ramadan, or perhaps the next one. May Allah grant us great opportunities to serve Him alone. The point is, we are not in control, so we better direct our existence to The One Who decides when to give and take our lives, whenever He pleases.

Health is wealth.

Serious sickness and travel are some legitimate excuses for non-observance of the fast during Ramadan, with conditions, including the requirement that the fasts are made up for when able, before the next Ramadan. I have had my fair share of misses and losses. With each year and as we age, our bodies take on new challenges and stresses. They don’t function as well as they did in their prime. Thus, we often become victims to sickness. I realised what I’d taken for granted too many times. I pondered on the blessing of good health. I appreciated those who take their medication and alter the dosage in order to fast. I appreciated those who wish to fast, but cannot due to terminal or chronic illness. I appreciated those who care for patients and administer medicine, while maintaining their own fasts. I know I’m not invincible, I can take my precautions, but ultimately, the ability comes from The One, may He grant it to us.

Food is taken for granted.

The sun has set. We’ve made our supplciations. At the sound of the call to prayer, Bismillah (in the name of Allah), you take that first bite of food…sweet satisfaction. This moment of satisfaction is what we take for granted multiple times in a non-fasting day. Think about it, to fulfil the primary human needs, to satiate hunger, to quench our thirst and to enjoy the wonderful flavours, even if the meal isn’t elaborate, we become grateful. Alhamdulillah for food, I find myself saying. It’s an emotional moment, one of joy, gratitude, humility… fasting really makes you more thankful. Look how weak we are, yet we act like a million dollars! It’s crucial to note, that Allah doesn’t need any of this, He does not need such provisions, rather He is The Supreme Provider.

I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me. [51:56]

I seek no provision from them, nor do I need them to feed Me. [51:57]

Indeed, Allah ˹alone˺ is the Supreme Provider—Lord of all Power, Ever Mighty. [51:58]

Qur’an, 51:56-58

Adversity grants empathy.

When you’re tested with restricted income, poor health or loss of loved ones, you might be inclined to focus solely on you. Yet in Ramadan, we learn, that we’re all in a similar boat. Extend a hand, be generous. Moreover, help your brother in need, and subsequently, Allah will support you. Be merciful.

Share what you have, hoping for reward from The Real Bestower and owner of all things, Allah. Be grateful and Allah will certainly give you more. Fasting reminds us that there are plenty of people around the world who don’t have satisfactory access to good food and good medical care, yet they faithfully fast. What have we got to complain about, that the food is too hot to swallow? It’s perhaps high time we lent a hand.

Upon analysis of the Qur’an, we find in multiple verses the injuction to be charitable. Beware of miserliness. Beware of extravagance. Be moderate. Be of benefit. For undoubtedly, somewhere in the world, someone wishes they had it as easy as you, even if somewhere else someone else has it easier. Remember, we are never burdened with more than we can bare.

Furthermore, as mortals we are far from perfection. Countless opportunities have passed us where we could have exerted ourselves in worship, yet we lost or wasted the opportunity. Indeed we hope our efforts and worship will be accepted and Allah is The Most Kind, The Rich. Ramadan and fasting gives us the opportunity to reflect on our behaviours, what can we change, what can we improve? Additionally, fasting makes us aim higher, we become more practising of faith. We look beyond ourselves and wish guidance for all.

Consistency is key.

Ramadan is the month of The Qur’an. It is a chance to learn what Allah has sent to us of guidance. We read and recite how to live life in a manner pleasing to Allah, how to fulfil our purpose and how to qualify for paradise. For sure, every hard heart who attentively studies the Qur’an in Ramadan and beyond, will find that Allah guides to the truth. Upon studying the Qur’an, you will take a fresh new perspecive on life, one of gratitude, patience, determination and sincere devotion, exclusively for The One.

Throughout Ramadan, particularly the last ten, we spend the nights in prayer, in tears of hope, desperation and longing, all for The One, only For The One. Whether in seclusion or congregation, we pay more attention to prayer and the virtues of the voluntary acts of worship. The blessed season is an encouragement for everyone to keep up the newly-formed good habits, we set goals, and look forward to achieving them.

The long term vision.

It’s not just until Ramadan is over. The end goal is not the end of Ramadan. My plan is to keep up some positive habits, post Ramadan, In shaa Allah. I must commit long-term to becoming a better believer and a better human, only for The One. Why? Because this whole life is a test, it’s a chance to cultivate the good deeds to make it to Jannah (paradise), where there is ever-lasting bliss, no pain and only joy.

Because this world isn’t paradise. This Earth and it’s pleasures are temporal in nature. The ultimate destination awaits. And the real journey begins now.

Only for The One.

21 Days Of Fasting So Far And I Feel Like A Better Human

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