Monday 20-03-2023 - 15:35

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and known as the holy month of fasting; it’s the most sacred month in Islamic culture and is anticipated by all Muslims.

In Ramadan, Muslims believe that the Quran, the Islamic holy book, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who is the last messenger from Allah. Muslims fast during this Month as a way to commemorate the revelation of the Quran.

Fasting is considered one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam, along with daily prayer (Namaaz), declaration of faith (Shahadah), charity and performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

During Ramadan, it's mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims across the world fast throughout this month. This includes abstaining from drinking (including water), eating, immoral acts and anger from dusk until dawn. The act of fasting is meant to remind Muslims of the less fortunate and to be more thankful.

Acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are highly encouraged during the holy month as Muslims aims to grow spiritually and build stronger relationships with Allah.

 

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Balance revision with fasting

This year Ramadan falls on the later end of March and half of April, this is a stressful and busy time for students.

So, it might seem unrealistic to expect a month of relaxation and reflection, however we can still implement the ideals and the meaning of such a special month into our work and revision schedules.

 

Eat Suhoor

You might be tempted to stay awake later to revise and work on a full stomach and then sleep through the pre-sunrise meal called Suhoor. However, this doesn’t set you up for a productive day where you can maintain focus.

 

Spend time with family and friends

Living away from home can make you feel isolated and not in the Ramadan spirit. However, this is a perfect time to gather with your Muslim or non-Muslim friends for iftar.

This is a perfect opportunity to cultivate your own community on campus and have an escape from stress and deadlines.

 

Its OK to have off days

Don’t be too hard on yourself especially on the initial days.

Your body isn’t used to operating on so little food and can’t be expected to be constantly productive as much as usual.

Take some time off, have lazy days and take some time to reflect on showing gratitude for the little things in life.

 

Make sure you’re filling your body with nutrients

We know fried food are a part of Ramadan culture, but it’s important to nourish your body and maintain a balanced diet.

Oil-rich foods might taste delicious, but they can contribute to you feeling lethargic and drained the following day.

Look up quick healthy meals and don’t be afraid to experiment, but prioritise your enjoyment and don’t make this another stressor.

 

Structure your days

Ramadan is a holy month where acts of worship charity mindfulness and gratitude are emphasized.

Squeezing this into a long day at the library or on campus can be frustrating, though. That’s why creating a loose schedule can be helpful. This doesn’t mean a rigid structure but can maybe be loose time allocations for each activity, for example 20 minutes Quran recitation a day.

Hopefully these brief tips can help you experience a fulfilling Ramadan away from home without creating additional stress and expectations.

Remember Ramadan is about strengthening your relationship with God and not overburdening yourself.

 

Get involved at The Union’s Iftar Night

The BAME ambassadors are hosting an Iftar night during the first week of Ramadan this year.

It’ll be in The Union’s Main Hall on Monday 27 March, from 18:30 – 21:30.

There’ll be a 3-course meal, live entertainment, a photo booth and an opportunity to win prizes.

Make sure you don’t miss out and get yourself a ticket early.

 

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Resources available to those fasting

+ Islamicfinder.org is great for finding out what the prayer times are on a particular day. In addition, it allows you to access further information on Ramadan, charities to donate to, and prayers (duas) to recite during this holy month

+ For a chart of iftar times, ziaulummah.org is helpful as it also highlights all prayer times and allows you to edit the location, format and language of the table

+ MACFEST (Muslim Art and Culture Festival) is back! And with it are plenty of opportunities to learn more about Islam, Ramadan and its different cultural practices, and much more. See macfest.org.uk for further information

+ Throughout Manchester, there will be iftar nights available to those interested in experience iftar or those who may not want to open their fast alone. Check out allevents.in, who have compiled an excellent list of events taking place during Ramadan