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Duties and daily chores never end and the pressure keeps mounting. Add to it the long periods of going without food and water and people may miss the spirit of this holy month which is a gift really, and not an ordeal.
This is when people get closer to Almighty Allah, empathise with the poor, and start a new chapter in their life.
This Ramadan is expected to be the longest in 30 years, beginning with 15.8 hours and ending with 14.50 hours, according to Eng Mohammed Shawkat Udah, head of the Islamic project for moon sighting.
The imam of Siraj Masjid, Sheikh Othman Hanafi, urged people to follow an agenda of prayers and good deeds.
“We should perform the five daily prayers in congregation in the mosque, recite, listen to and mull over the Holy Quran in full at least once during Ramadan, say Zikr (glorification of Allah), give for charity, exchange visits and advise others.”
“We should be careful about what we say and do,” said Sheikh Essam Habib, imam of Al Rahman Masjid. “Muslims should abhor all impermissible things and use their eyes and ears in a way that pleases God.”
Sheikh Mohammed Al Arabi, imam of Al Eman Masjid, said the holy month is a priceless chance to start a new chapter since fasting awakens consciousness of a higher life that is spiritually maintained rather than supported by just food and drink. “This is the right time to repent, seek forgiveness and change for better; otherwise, we will be losers, as told by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who warned us not to let the holy month of Ramadan go without having our sins washed away.”
The imam of Al Rahma Masjid, Sheikh Saeed Marzooq, said Muslims are asked to fast during Ramadan not to deprive them of food and drink but to inculcate piety and righteousness in them, as is clearly stated in the Holy Quran. “Fasting provides us with motivation, self-control and a firm will to give up bad habits. Otherwise such a vital worship will turn futile. As the prophetic saying goes: Whosoever does not give up telling lies or acting in a false manner, Allah has no need for his giving up eating or drinking.”
Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf, imam of Diyar Masjid, said fasting makes us more conscious of our behaviour. “Being more mindful for 30 days does help us maintain better habits after Ramadan.”
Islamic researcher Dr Sheikh Mohammed Ashmawy said true Muslims do not wait for Ramadan to start; they get ready during the month of Shaaban (before Ramadan) and humbly ask Allah to keep them alive to better worship Him during Ramadan.
“Fasting is never meant to deprive Muslims... It is to help Muslims be more pious, feel the need of others, and get rid of worldly desires to change for better.”
Abu Omar, an Egyptian EFL instructor, said he was training little kids — seven and nine years old — to fast this Ramadan. “Hopefully it will be easy for them,” he said.
Abu Abdullah, a Syrian, said for his family he is planning short sessions for reciting the Holy Quran, saying Zikr, giving to charity, attending Taraweeh prayers at the mosque, and visiting relatives and people who are ill.
Dr Essam Atta, deputy director of GMC Hospital, advised Muslims to avoid exposure to sun rays and drink as much liquid as possible after the fast was broken to avoid feeling exhausted and dizzy, throw up or suffer headaches.
He said tea or coffee should not be taken, particularly during the late hours, as they lead to the production of urine and the body loses much of the body liquids needed during fasting.
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