By Musart Ellaahi
Muslims around the world are excited when Ramadan begins, a month that celebrates the Quran and helps bring us closer to our Creator. Some of us use this month to adopt/maintain healthy lifestyles or to physically detox. In fact, fasting has become a trend in some European and American societies for the many health benefits that it entails. However, have you ever wondered how exactly our celebration of Ramadan helps shape our mindset?
Kathy McManus, Director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said, “…intermittent fasting may have a beneficial effect on diet psychology for some people….The main goal is to develop a healthy eating pattern that is sustainable and can support weight loss over time. As of now, intermittent dieting has not been proved to meet this key criterion.”
Evidently, McManus refers to fasting and how it can benefit our “psychology” as well as help us develop a “healthy eating pattern.” However, during intermittent fasting, the consummation of fluids is common. But of course, as fasting Muslims, we are notallowed to consume fluids.
It’s a month of pure patience if we wish to achieve the full value of the fast that is intended for our Creator. Through spiritually connecting with our Creator, we also connect with ourselves and we replenish our souls of the following: jealousy, anger among other uncontrollable emotions. We also learn to understand gratitude and peace. We learn to give and the Prophet Muhammadﷺ, according to hadith, was known to “be more generous than the fast wind.” That is how we develop a positive mindset.
Therefore, fasting holds such immeasurable powers within us that it shows us we can hold the discipline and patience necessary to achieve whatever we wish to achieve in our lives. We may have certain goals for example, praying on time and doing extra ibaddah (Arabic for worship): `A’ishah ضي الله عنه reported: “The Messenger ﷺ of Allah used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he did in earlier part of the month.”
As a result, Ramadan helps us learn how much we devalue our time, thereby not utilizing it appropriately, to benefit us. Time is something that, once it is gone, it does not return to us; it’s ever-fading like sand from our fingertips. It’s slipping so fast that we are unable to catch it before it falls. According to Forbes, “Fasting is about stepping back from the preoccupations of the ego, breaking the power of habit and routine, and achieving soul-full moments.”
Let’s take the time we need during Ramadan to understand ourselves from within. We should ask ourselves questions like, “What are my strengths? What am I able to achieve other than the frying of the samosas and the constant food planning? What part of me, from within, can I take control of? How can I use this time to discipline my mind to achieve my goals in life?” Basically, we can do so much with the way we handle things, the attitude we bring to the table and especially the discipline that we bring to the table. Moreover, Allah does not deny the fasting person their deepest wishes so make dua after dua.
This Ramadan, let’s make the right changes within ourselves to achieve better versions of ourselves. The only person we should compete against is who we were yesterday. This brings us closer to our life goals, whether they be religious or personal.
According to Islamic hadith, every good action shall be multiplied by ten times its value, up to 700 times.
Exempt from fasting during Ramadan are: travelers, children who have not reached puberty, the elderly, those who are physically or mentally unable to fast, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Help us raise awareness:
1. Donate to the World Hijab Day Organization this coming Ramadan. Your contributions will help our efforts to end hijab discrimination globally! One who gives alms during the month Ramadan will be multiplied in rewards to 10 until 700 folds. Don’t miss this opportunity! Donate here.
2. #FastForUnity: Fast for a day, two, ten or all 30 with Muslims to experience how Muslims fast and go on a spiritual journey of self-reflection and self-discipline.
3. #Hijab30: Wear the hijab for 30 days in Ramadan to take a stand to end discrimination against women in hijab and respect individual choices.
4. #HearOurHistory: May is “International Muslim History Month.” Take this opportunity to learn more about Muslim men and women from the Golden Age up until now, who have shaped humanity as we know it.
Tag us @worldhijabday
About the Author
Musart Ellaahi was born in Pakistan and raised in the UK. She is a mindset coach, an award-winning motivational speaker and TV host, and a published author. She most recently collected stories of inspirational Muslims worldwide and compiled them into a book titled, “Your Story with Musart.” Her debut novel is “Elaynna.”
Instagram @Musart_Ellaahi
Website www.musartellaahi.com