Of Faith, Fast & Fitness During Ramzan

Of Faith, Fast & Fitness During Ramzan

The holy month of Ramzan begins today and it marks a time of prayer, fasting and reflection for muslims around the world. As per the holy Quran and Islamic tradition, this month is meant for fasting, piety, abstinence and self-reflection to draw believers closer to God. But for millennials, the ritualistic fasting from dawn to dusk has its own health benefits. Trust Gen Z to find innovation and fun in everything and religion too is no barrier.

Healthy Fasting

For the new generation of youngsters the act of going without food and water fits in with the idea of “intermittent fasting” — restricting the daily eating window to a limited period of time. Enthusiasts of this regimen swear that it is beneficial for weight loss, improves the body’s metabolism and perhaps even extends lifespan. And so fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramzan perfectly fits in with both religion and fitness.

“Ramzan is a great time to shed all the unhealthy and unnecessary fat in the body. It is a holistic way to get back to shape while giving the body all that it needs by giving it a break,” smiles Anjum Begum, a Bhubaneswar-based IT professional.

Social & Family Bonding

If it’s fasting for fitness enthusiasts, foodies too find their own charm in Ramzan, especially the social partaking of iftar in the evening “The best thing about Ramzan is the exchange of iftar among neighbours. The variety of the platter erases all the exhaustion of the day and imparts a fresh enthusiasm. Last year, there were no such exchanges (due to the pandemic and lockdown), but this year we plan to resume this beautiful tradition once again,” says Mohamed Sohel cheerfully.

“During iftar, people prepare an elaborate platter of both refreshing drinks and delectable dishes. Fasting becomes easier and exciting while we anticipate the iftar of the day,” he adds. For householders though, Ramzan means spending quality time with the family as well as adhering to all the spiritual traditions and cultures associated with the holy month.

One such is Salima Bano, the lady of the Syed household at Satya Nagar in Bhubaneswar. For Salima, Ramzan is a great time for her family to bond over faith, food and household chores. “Last year amid the pandemic and lockdown, Ramzan was a great time for all of us. This year too, there are restrictions and with work-from-home and online classes, we expect to continue with the same regimen. This way the family members understand each other’s jobs well and lend a helping hand to one another, which is a great outcome,” she confides. 

Indeed, the pandemic has made the family more aware and understanding of the toils of a homemaker to take care of the family even while fasting.

Fun & Study

For many students, ‘fasting’ has a different connotation. It means abstaining from recreation and studying hard. “Since my board exams are scheduled to start in May, Ramzan is a great time to study. I have a master plan chalked out for both Ramzan and my studies. After sehri (pre-dawn meal), I plan to resume my revisions as early morning is the best time to study. Then I can take breaks in between for chores, namaz and reciting the Quran. This was my routine last year too and I have excelled in it. With my hard work and God’s blessing, I hope to outshine myself,” quips Ashraf Ali, a student of Class 10.

For younger children though, the fun is more in meeting friends during taraweeh namaz (night prayers), giving alms and of course receiving Eidi (gift for youngsters by elders in the family). For six-year-old Abul Shah, the pandemic and lockdown have been unknown terms and it was more of a punishment that he could not practise several Ramzan traditions last year. Abul divulged that he couldn’t go for the taraweeh namaz with his father and hence missed it so much.

“I have made Abbu promise to take me for taraweeh namaz every night this Ramzan. I get to meet my friends there and it feels so relaxing. I also missed distributing alms among the poor waiting outside the Eidgah last year. Ammi has also promised to give me extra Eidi if I am a good boy,” chirps the innocent kid.

Bumper Business

Ramzan is also a great time for several businesses to flourish. Fruits, pulses, coconut water and meat are some of the most sought-after commodities that every Muslim household needs in abundance during this time. And Somnath Barick, a fruit-seller at CRP Square in Bhubaneswar, is eagerly waiting to cash in on the profits that the holy month promises.

“Last Ramzan, I had my usual customers calling for fruits. But unfortunately there was a shortfall because of the lockdown. I felt sorry for my Muslim brethren as more than business, their diet was being hampered. This time I hope for a steady business this year,” he quips. Keeping the demand in mind, Somnath has also started dealing in exotic fruits and vegetables and planning home delivery service as well.

Time To Heal

As the holy month of Ramzan is knocking on the door, Muslims are thankful for getting an opportunity for “renewal and reformation”. This rejuvenation is not only in terms of losing a couple of extra pounds, but more of spiritual healing and character building, leading to both inner and social peace.

But this spiritual and social peace can become possible only when one can truly “fast” across the year. The end of Ramzan is finally celebrated as Eid-ul-Fitr, in which Muslims enjoy with their family and friends and often exchange gifts and feast on varieties of delicacies. As per the Islamic calendar, Eid will be tentatively celebrated on May 14 this year.