Fasting: a survival guide

by Sayyada Asharia

And we’re back to the month of Ramadan…except the fasting gets more difficult this year round. Iftar time is at nearly 8pm for 30 days! So how can we survive not eating nor drinking for this long? Here are a few tips:

1. Wake up for sehri. It’s the last time you can eat before you start your fast, so why not make the most of those last few minutes by eating till you’re full? The atmosphere during sehri is also great and it makes your fast seem so spiritual.

2. Sleep. It kills time, it helps you stay away from temptation and at the same time is an act of worship, as the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said: "The sleep of a fasting person is regarded as an act of ibaadah, his remaining silent is regarded as a tasbeeh, the reward for his good deeds is multiplied, his duas are accepted, and his sins are forgiven."


3. Tell the least number of people that you are fasting. Firstly, because they may think you’re crazy and put you off fasting, and secondly, it can cause the fast to become a law to your heart. When you are tempted to break the fast, you may think, “Dad, Mom, and half the mosque know I’m on a fast. If I quit now, I’ll be humiliated in front of all of them.” Your fast is between you and God. When you are being tempted to break, it is not you whole extended family you need to be concerned with!

4. Read Quran. It was revealed during the month of Ramadan, and that is the main reason why we fast during the month, so why not read the Quran to see the meanings laying underneath it? It also kills a lot of time and helps your fast finish quickly!

5. Stay away from the kitchen! All you’ll be able to smell are samosas being fried so stop getting yourself into needless temptation! Next thing you know, you’ll be stuffing yourself with everything you can eat!

6. Don’t keep checking the time. This just creates more pressure, especially when the fast is just about to finish. Maybe it’s just me, but have you noticed that the last few minutes of your fast, while you’re staring at the clock, go the slowest? So don’t wear a watch while fasting!

7. Keep yourself occupied. Doing other stuff takes your mind off your fast. And sometimes, you’re so preoccupied in keeping yourself occupied, that you forget that you’re fasting altogether!