Later this week Muslims across the world will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan. For 30 days, Muslims will not be eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset and will be breaking their fast during the evening.
During this time however, Muslims must carry on with their day to day tasks such as going to work or school. Fasting during Ramadan is an integral part of a Muslim's life as it is considered one of the five pillars of Islam.
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The five pillars are a set of core beliefs and practices that are essential for Muslims. The five pillars of Islam are prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage and the belief that there is only one God (Allah) and Prophet Muhammad is his messenger.
Reports state that there are up to 1.8 billion Muslims on earth. Last year a census carried out by the office for national statistics showed that there are 3.9 million people who described themselves as "Muslim" in England and Wales.
It is believed that around 5,000 people convert to Islam every year in Britain and for many Ramadan 2023 will be their first. The thought of abstaining from food and drink for 30 days can be a daunting one and they can be forgiven for being anxious or nervous about the prospect.
So we have put together a list of things to expect for your first Ramadan and top tips to guide you through the holy month.
The first week will be the hardest
For many first timers, the first week of Ramadan will see you dry fasting. Dry fasting is a form of intermittent fasting in which no liquid is consumed during the fasting window.
This can most definitely be a shock to your body and mind if you are used to some sort of sustenance even on days where you don't particularly consume a lot of food or drink. Fear not however, your body gradually begins to adjust and after the first week , the time table becomes normal.
Don't skip Suhoor (breakfast)
Due to the fact that you will only be allowed to eat when the sun has set, you will find yourself having breakfast extremely early in the day. 'Suhoor' is the meal eaten by Muslims early in the day during the month of Ramadan before the sun has risen.
The time for Suhoor ends when the sun rises so depending on the season you could find yourself waking up as early as three o'clock in the morning to eat. However, Suhoor is vital for anybody who is observing Ramadan as it prepares your body for another long day of fasting.
Missing out on Suhoor also means you will be fasting longer than you have to which will almost likely make your days harder than they need to be.
Drink as much water as possible
After the first week of Ramadan what you will often find is that you can handle having no food for long periods. The toughest part of fasting for many people is the dehydration, especially during the summer.
You'll find that drinking as much water as possible before the sun rises can go a long way in easing your fast during the day. This doesn't mean going overboard with the water consumption however.
I often find that gradually drinking around two litres of water between the time you break your fast and Suhoor means you wake up the next day feeling replenished.
You are not just fasting from food
We can often get caught up in the fact that we are abstaining from food and drink during Ramadan and forget that there other aspects of daily life that we must avoid. During Ramadan Muslims are encouraged to focus on practising their more positive virtues and and avoid slipping into bad habits.
Things like swearing, lying, smoking, cheating and unnecessary fighting are discouraged. Instead, you are encouraged to carry out acts of charity, show generosity, solidarity, kindness, patience and forgiveness.
Do not over eat
You can be tempted to eat as much food as you possibly can when Iftar comes around. Nutritionists have warned against this as it can cause you to have stomach upsets or exacerbate existing health conditions.
You are also encouraged to have a healthy balanced diet during Ramadan to help your body breakdown the food you eat and provide you with the important nutrients that will keep you going the next day.
Find some Muslim friends to share your experience with
You may start your Ramadan alone but that doesn't mean you should finish it the same way. During Ramadan you can break your fast everyday at your local Mosque with food provided by members of the community.
Here you will find other people who may be also observing the month alone, or other Muslims in general. Be kind, be open and be welcoming and before you know it you'll have invites to multiple homes for Iftar every week of the holy month.
Make sure to attend Tarawih (nightly prayers during the month of Ramadan) held at your local Mosque too, for an opportunity to integrate yourself into the community.
Try not to miss your prayers
In keeping with the notion that Ramadan is a time to be stronger in your faith and getting closer to God, it is important to not miss your five daily prayers.
In Islam a Muslim lives their life accruing spiritual merits or rewards through their good deeds and commitment to faith. During Ramadan the rewards for the good deeds and acts of piety are multiplied and praying five times a day contributes towards that.
Read or learn the Qur’an during Ramadan
The Qu'ran can be read or listened to within the 30 days of Ramadan and there are great benefits for reading the holy book during the holy month. Learning the Qu'an during Ramadan multiplies your rewards in the eyes of God, it can be a source of guidance and solace on the hardest of days and Muslims believe that reading the Qu'ran during Ramadan purifies your soul.
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