Ramadan started today. It is a good time to reflect about why it is important to us and what we are most looking forward to Insha’Allah.

When I was younger, I didn’t really appreciate the true meaning and saw it as “sacrifice”.

But now I see it as “opportunity”. 

It is about so much more than “not eating or drinking”.

Indeed, Abu Huraira related that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said “Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst”. 

For many of us it’s about reflection, strengthening our relationship with Allah (swt), praying, giving charity, increasing our good deeds.

It is all of those things and so many more Insha’Allah. 

Personally, I see it as a great opportunity to be more disciplined too.

For example, although I have never been a smoker myself, many of my brothers who smoke regularly manage to refrain from smoking throughout the duration of the fast.

Therefore, as I see it, if you have the discipline to go from 20 a day to 0 during that time, then it shows you have the discipline to do anything you put your mind to.

If it is something you want to give up, then Insha’Allah you can maintain that discipline beyond the end of Ramadan. 

That was just an example to illustrate the point.

But the same principle could apply to any “bad habit”.

More importantly, it can apply to good habits too. 

For example, some who never pray (and I would never judge as that used to be me) usually, never miss a single prayer during Ramadan. Masha ’Allah 

But then sadly it stops on Eid. 

It is about reframing how we see the blessed month of Ramadan.

And not seeing it as being about “restrictions” and what we are “not allowed to do”

But rather about that which we shouldn’t be doing anyway, whether it is Ramadan or any other month of the year.

We should do our best to eradicate those bad habits not just “for Ramadan” but for ourselves Insha’Allah. 

We should maintain those good habits for as long as we can Insha’Allah 

Every year (even if it is something small) I try to make the intention that something good I’ve established during Ramadan I will carry on with until the next one. Insha’Allah 

And if there is one bad habit I have eradicated, not to go back to that either. Insha’Allah 

Of course, it can be easier said than done as after a few weeks or months we can lose momentum and slip back into old habits.

But if we can do it during Ramadan, as I see it there is no reason why we can’t do it at any other time either.

If it helps to see it as being Ramadan “all year round” then use that. 

Doing good deeds, giving charity, being a better person etc. is something we should strive to do all the time. Insha’Allah 

Some see the end of Ramadan as “freedom”.

When actually it is the month itself that is freedom, and the rest of the year is when we can feel “trapped” by our own actions. 

How about you? 

What does Ramadan mean to you?

What are you most looking forward to?

Nav Ahmed (SFHEA) is an 11 times Award Winning Education Leader