‘Is it hard to fast? Absolutely not!’

For many Muslims, the month of Ramadan is a time for fasting, spiritual reflection, prayers, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends.

The fasting is intended to help teach self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity.
Bahraini Ahdeya Al Sayed started fasting as a child. “I fast every year. It all started when I was around eight-years-old when I used to watch my parents fast and wonder why I shouldn’t do the same,” said the 33-year-old ministry media adviser.
“It started with a few hours of fasting until I reached the age where fasting became compulsory and I had to abide to it. Surprisingly, I never felt that this was ever imposed on me.
“Fasting at Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and since my childhood it also became a practice I look forward to.”
Ms Al Sayed fasts because she chooses to. “I fast because abiding to my religion’s rules gives me self satisfaction,” she said. “It makes me feel that no matter how we get busy in life, the most important issue is to consider always is how close we are to Him, All Mighty God,” she said.
“Is it hard to fast? Absolutely not! Fasting is easy and medical researches today also prove that it is great for the system.  It cleans our system and gives us the opportunity to have a healthier day.  But healthier I don’t mean the huge amount of food some consume when they break their fast.  By healthy I mean breaking your fast and eating moderately, something the system needs all the time.
“In this part of the world, we consume a lot of carbohydrates and if in Ramadan we go back to the practices of the Prophet Mohammad we realise that he advised us to eat moderately. 
“He broke his fast with a few dates and this reflects how aware he was of moderate eating and the first item a body requires when breaking a fast, sugar.”
Ms Al Sayed finds it strange how some people’s schedules and lifestyles change during this holy month.
“I disagree that Ramadan brings us closer to God because I believe that those with a strong faith are always close to him. I love Islam and just imagine the number of times we bring God’s name on a daily basis,” she said.
“We say ‘Bismellah’ in the name of God when we want to eat or start anything, we say ‘Subhannala’ when we see or hear something that impresses us, we say ‘Alhamdullallah’   thank God when something good or bad happens to us.  We say ‘Esteghforallah’ may God forgive me when we make a mistake and we also say ‘La Ellah Ela Allha’ there is no God but Allah all the time and if you just sit and count the number of times you say ‘Allah’ on a daily basis you would realise how close you are to Him.
“Therefore, does Ramadan bring us closer to Him?  I disagree. I feel that we experience God’s closeness in each and every moment of our day. We shouldn’t wait all year and feel distance from God and come Ramadan try to get closer.”
Ms Al Sayed said some who break their religion’s rules wait for this month to ask for forgiveness and when the month finishes go back to their old ways.
“Acknowledging you have sinned and asking for forgiveness should be the starting point for any person, not just during Ramadan,” she said.
“My daily routine in Ramadan is just like any other day, waking up in the morning, going to work, coming back home, feeding the kids, trying to prepare a meal for the fast breaking time, pray, break my fast, take my children to bed and probably have a couple of hours like any other day taking care of what needs to be done.
“I love watching religious programmes during this holy month. There are certain preachers I enjoy listening to and learning from during Ramadan. 
“I love listening to moderate scholars who help you get more attached to your religion.  I don’t like to listen to extremists who have ideas that I cannot relate too.  I feel that when messages that need to be conveyed are done in simple ways, people can relate to them more and enjoy the practices of their religion.”
Ms Al Sayed said Ramadan was a month she looks forward to every year.
“It’s great to feel that you believe in God, His message, the Holy Quran, was sent to mankind during this month through Prophet Mohammad.
“It feels good to know that it was during this month more than a thousand years ago that your whole life changes. This is simply Ramadan, a month we love, respect and are proud to receive.”  
Saudi Fahad Abu-Al Hashem believes fasting is a family affair.
“The idea behind it is to begin to grasping the concept of fasting and to feel that you are part of the family,” said the 42-year-old bank organisation development manager.
“Fasting is done in almost all religions and faiths. In Islam, fasting takes place for an entire month and from sun rise to sun set. I fast because it is the doctrine of Islam and I am required to fast honouring my faith and religion.”
Mr Abu-Al Hashem said: “Ramadan does come with great values. By fasting you develop your will-power and sense of control.
“The first three to four days of fasting is hard, after that, it becomes quite easy.  In some instances, however, when I lived in Europe and the US, it was rather difficult because I started fasting at 3am and I would break my fast at 9.30pm.
“Generally in Ramadan, working hours are lessened, so instead of working nine hours a day, you end up working six hours. 
“I wake up in the morning go to work, I do all my prayers in the mosque. I come back from work and take the kids out to the park and for long walks. Before the Maghreb prayers, we head home. 
“I break my fast and head to the mosque since it is conveniently located close to my house.  I pray my Maghreb prayers and walk home to have my Iftar.
“I take a short nap and wake up and head to the mosque to pray the Isha prayers and the Taraweeh – after which, I go home and we visit friends and go out with the family.  We are back home at about 11pm and we have dinner and sleep.  We wake up for Fajr prayers and then we sleep again.”
Mr Abu-Al Hashem added: “It is the month of giving and forgiving. It is the month of caring, loving and sharing. It is the month where you strengthen brotherhood and sisterhood. It is the greatest month of the year when it comes to earning merit for all the good deeds that you do, so one must take advantage of it.”
Thirty-one-year-old Pakistani banker Asher Noor has been fasting from a very young age. “I started fasting when I was 10 or 12 years of age,” he said.
“I find it quite natural and really look forward to the month,” he said. “Ramadan means a lot to me.  Well for one thing, I was born in this month.
“I also look forward to it because it brings a lot of serenity and blessing all around with it. This month gives me ample time to pause and reflect. It helps in providing a breather from the rat race of work and gives me time for my family as well. 
“My daily routine in Ramadan is to ensure an early morning rise, read the holy Quran for some time, get to work, come back and help in preparing iftar, have a light meal, not for a while, maintain my prayers continuity, go out for shopping or dining with my family, late night return to home and then all set to get up early morning for a sumptuous suhoor.” 
Mr Noor says he becomes more religious during the month of Ramadan.
“Not only do I get more religious and spiritual, I feel more happy and more focused and equitable in my work,” he said.
“All year round I am watching movies and talk shows and other programmes but in Ramadan television viewing is out of the picture. Prayers and watching my tongue for loose caustic remarks is something that is number one priority during the holy month which is not necessarily the first thing during my mind in the rest of the year.
“The primary thing remains that if this one month can make us improve the rest of the 11 months, we should seize the opportunity with both hands.”

Special Report
By Farishta Saeed
farishta@gulfweekly.com