Hi everyone! I just wanted to share my experience with Ramadan so far. I’m two days into this holy month of fasting, and I’m really enjoying how it aligns with my working pattern. It’s been a bit challenging, but I’m finding ways to make it work for me.
I have to admit, I’m a bit apprehensive about how Ramadan will be after the clocks go forward by an hour. I’m worried that it might disrupt my fasting routine, which could be tough. But I’m trying to stay positive and find ways to manage it.
The hardest part of Ramadan for me is dehydration. It’s tough to go without food or water for so many hours, especially when I have to work during the day. But I’m trying to stay hydrated during the non-fasting hours by drinking plenty of water.
Overall, I’m really grateful for this opportunity to fast and connect with my faith. It’s not always easy, but I’m finding ways to make it work for me. I’m hopeful that this Ramadan will bring me peace, blessings, and spiritual growth.
If you’re fasting, please share your experiences and I hope you find everything you’re looking for during this holy month, insha’Allah.
It’s no doubt that the planned celebrations this year were going to be huge, as it marked 75th anniversary since WW2 ended.
Big plans were naturally halted as a result of COVID-19/lockdown guidelines.
With good intent, our neighbour a few doors across the street sent leaflets to every household requesting to partake in a street party to celebrate. There was an RSVP section to go along with it.
One day prior to VE Day, we received another flyer, which included names and door numbers of everyone who RSVP’d to partake. I found this embarrassing, as our door number and two others on our side are the only ones who chose not to respond.
Decorations were being put up on almost every house the day prior, or on the morning of VE Day.
Let me address one thing, I fully respect everyone who lost their lives as a result of governments decisions during the war. However, I do not find wasting money on decorating our house with the Union Jack appropriate. We took part in the 2 minutes silence at 11am (for some reason, only 6 of us were out for this?!). But did not take part on the planned picnic/tea/dinner party etc. As Muslims, we are currently fasting for Ramadan, and felt it was inappropriate for us to party, and sit outside in the scorching heat.
We did have friendly interactions with our neighbours in the morning and went for a walk to appreciate everyone’s efforts.
As 5-6pm arrived, every household was out on the street. Blazing music, getting drunk, socialising and DEFINITELY NOT observing the 2meter distancing guidelines.
The same people that make a point to clap for the NHS every Thursday, are the same who ignore guidelines adding strain to the same service/key workers. There were plenty faces who don’t live on the street present at this party, and were stood or sat right next to each other.
I went from feeling embarrassed for not partaking, to thinking these people have no sense. I now feel proud for not putting myself in a harmful situation due to what I can only class as “peer-pressure”. I do wonder what the neighbours think of us for not decorating our house or showing face for the noise, but then again if they came out to show respects at 11am (which in my personal opinion was the key part of the day), they would have been able to see and speak to us.
Stay safe, and do what is right for you and your families. The guidance is there for a reason.
So I’ve managed to survive the first two days of fasting (just about!).
Let me update.
Day 1 Lucky for me, the first fast landed on a Saturday. As I’m currently working from home (lockdown), which carries it’s own challenges. I was grateful for us starting on a non-working day. This allowed me to have a lie-in, and reduce the number of hours during the fast.
It was nice and straight forward, and was quite a chilled day. All we did was do a weekly shop (which took two hours due to the current restrictions- watch out for a separate rant on this), prep food, play some games and watch telly.
If was 20:30 (end of fast) before we knew it.
Day 2 Now this was a near death experience, or so it felt like it.
Every year during Ramadan, I will have at least one day where I get an excruciating headache. Today happened to be that day.
Similar to day 1, I took advantage and had a lie-in (less than the day before as I need to get info a working week routine for the following day).
However, an hour into my day (around 2pm). My head starting to hurt, I knew it was going to get bad as I had several hours of the fast left. I took my wife for a walk to get some fresh air (taking deep breathes), which really did help. Upon coming back I assisted my wife with food prep (she did majority of it, I only did some chopping). Once I finished chopping, she carried on whist I excused myself to watch some Netflix.
Around 4-5pm. It got extremely bad. I was restless, struggled to breathe, was getting anxious and kept telling my wife that I don’t think I’m going to make it (dramatic much?!). I usually drink 2Litres of water a day. My body wasn’t coping, and dehydration was a massive factor for headache. Those last 4hours felt like days, but as soon as the fast ended and I was able to drink my headache started going fairly rapidly. I find it weird how badly my body copes with this change (I always forget to start prepping in advance by gradually reducing my water intake as Ramadan approaches – oops!).
Anyway, I’ve made it through the first 2 days. am expecting an even more challenging day tomorrow, as not only is my day longer (early rise), but I have to train a full team which will require a lot of talking (mouth is getting dry thinking about this already).
It’s here, amidst of the all the chaos we’ve been going through, Ramadan appears to have silently crept up on us (this year is going too fast!).
The year 2020 will be one we will NEVER forget, for numerous reasons. I’m confident it will be studied in history at schools in the future.
I’m not going to explain what Ramadan is my view is that everyone should already know, just like everyone knows about Easter, Christmas etc. (I recommend reading up on it if you don’t).
For the first time in history (as far as I know), Muslims will be reading Taraweeh’s, and all Namazes (Islamic prayers) at home, rather than at the mosque. This is huge, and possibly the only time it will happen in our lifetime.
I’m pleased that our Imams (Islamic preachers) have taken the Covid-19 guidance seriously, but saddened that we are missing out on the beautiful recitation of the Quran during this holy month.
It’s currently unclear if the “lockdown” will go on until Eid al-Fitr, but if it does. It’s going to be a very strange one to celebrate (FaceTime parties maybe?!).
I’m grateful that I live with my beautiful wife. It would be impossible to go through anything without such a loving, beautiful, bubbly character in my life (my heart goes out to anyone doing this alone).
I’m looking forward to praying with my wife, and getting in to the routine of fasting. It’s definitely going to be challenging with all the temptations around the house (in particular water).
It’s disheartening to see that the mosques couldn’t unite to start Ramadan on the same day once again, given this circumstances I thought there would have been stronger unity. We just have to accept our local mosques decision on this.
Well, as the day closes. I better get ready for my first Taraweeh prayers of 2020 at home.
Cranked Thoughts 