Ramadan 2024
Understanding Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month in Islam, a time when Muslims focus on their faith by fasting from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. This means no food, water, gum—nothing at all—throughout the day. Ramadan is not only about fasting; it’s about improving our character, being kind to others, and giving to those in need. Acts of charity during Ramadan can be as simple as smiling at someone, helping others, or calling a loved one to check in.
This month is also about discipline, self-control, and building physical and mental strength. It’s not an easy month, but it is life-changing. Ramadan allows you to become stronger in your faith and as a person.
Misconceptions About Ramadan
There is a common misconception that focusing on faith during Ramadan means you cannot prioritize other aspects of your life, like healthy eating habits, fitness goals, or even your day-to-day work. However, that’s not true. You can incorporate these things into your worship. Taking care of your body is a form of worship because your body is a gift. If you don’t take care of it, you are not honoring that blessing.
Why Ramadan Is Important to Me
I wasn’t always wearing the headscarf. In fact, I’ve only been wearing it for a year, and it will actually be a year in Ramadan. Ramadan was the month I decided to take the next step in my faith and get closer to my religion. If you are practicing Islam or even if you are not, Ramadan is a great opportunity to take the next step in your faith, whether it’s increasing acts of prayer, embracing modesty, or something else. This is a beautiful and very important month in Islam.
What You Should Do During Ramadan
During Ramadan, there are several things that Muslims do:
- Fasting: From sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib), with no food, water, or other consumables.
- Prayer: Increasing acts of prayer, or trying to stay consistent with the five daily prayers.
- Behavior: Avoiding backbiting, talking badly about others, and disrespecting people. Muslims also refrain from giving in to bad habits and sexual desires while fasting.
- Charity: Engaging in acts of kindness and charity, which can be more than just giving money.
Listening to Music During Ramadan
There is a difference of opinion on whether listening to music is allowed in Islam. Personally, I do not listen to music, especially during Ramadan, because I prefer to follow the majority opinion. However, everyone should do their own research and follow what feels right in their heart.
For Those New to Ramadan
If you are new to participating in Ramadan and using it as a time to build your faith or spirituality, it can be challenging. This month will help you build discipline and mental strength that you may not have experienced before. You won’t have another month like this, where you fast with a large group of people who inspire you to stay consistent while still being able to focus on your work and maintain healthy habits.
When to Start and Break Your Fast
In Islam, we have five daily prayers:
- Fajr: The first prayer before sunrise.
- Dhuhr: The second prayer around noon.
- Asr: The third prayer in the afternoon.
- Maghrib: The fourth prayer at sunset.
- Isha: The last prayer of the day.
Fasting starts a little before the Fajr prayer and ends at the Maghrib prayer. The meal before fasting begins is called Suhoor, where we eat and drink plenty of water to prepare for the day. It’s important to focus on quality foods that are high in fiber and protein and to stay hydrated.
Creating a Routine for Ramadan
Creating a routine during Ramadan can be challenging if you don’t have a plan. I have been following a Ramadan plan for the past two weeks because last Ramadan, I stayed up all night and slept all day, neglecting my healthy habits and fitness goals. Although I prioritized my faith, everything else declined, which is not how Ramadan is supposed to be.
You are supposed to maintain your day-to-day life while prioritizing your faith so you feel strong leaving this month, not weaker in your goals. Plan everything around the five daily prayers, including when you wake up, go to sleep, and work. Use the prayer times as blocks for meditation or breaks throughout your day.
When to Train During Ramadan
I recommend three times for training during Ramadan:
- Before Fajr: Train early in the morning before the fast begins, preferably around 4:00 a.m.
- After Breaking Fast: Train after breaking your fast with a date and water or a light snack.
- After Dinner: Train after your main meal, allowing time for digestion.
I do not recommend training while fasting due to health hazards. Choose a training time that is realistic and plan your day around it.
Your Non-Negotiables for Ramadan
Write down your non-negotiables for Ramadan. For me, they include:
- Going to the mosque once a day.
- Training regularly.
- Reading 10 pages of the Quran after every prayer.
- Listening to Islamic lectures.
- Maintaining healthy eating habits.
- Seeing my family once a week.
Find out what your non-negotiables are and make sure they are realistic.
My Ramadan Training Plan
Last year, I created a Ramadan plan, and many of you loved it. This year, we’re going to have a Ramadan guide together. Whether you want to train from home or in the gym, whether you’re a beginner or advanced, I have specific guides for you, including 3-day or 5-day plans and meal ideas that help you stay consistent with healthy eating.
These plans include high-protein meals for Suhoor and Iftar, which is when you break your fast. The training programs are not very long, and they focus on low-intensity exercises to help you maintain your fitness goals while focusing on your faith.
Final Thoughts and Encouragement
I hope I covered most of the things about Ramadan in this video. If you have any more questions, please let me know in the comments below. I am open to hearing everything you have to say, and I will try to respond to as many comments as I can.
Ramadan is an amazing month, and I cannot wait for all of us to get closer to our faith and spirituality. I pray that this month is wonderful for all of us and that we stay consistent in our goals, feeling like we have improved in every aspect of our lives after this month ends.
If you want to stay consistent with your faith, fitness, and healthy eating habits, Uplift You will be 25% off this Ramadan! I am very excited to do this together. Make sure you subscribe, as we will be posting Ramadan routines and training content throughout the month.
