Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for all healthy Muslims of a certain age. Aside from a few exceptions, particularly concerning health conditions, it does not matter whether it is winter or summer; all Muslims must fast from sunrise until sunset.
Since the Islamic calendar is lunar-based, Islamic months do not align with the Gregorian calendar. Islamic months fall on different Gregorian calendar dates yearlysince the latter is solar-based. This ultimately means that every year Ramadan falls on a different date.
The Islamic year is shorter than the Gregorian year. The Hijri calendar has just 355 days compared to the Gregorian calendar’s 365 days. Consequently, Islamic months fall a few days before the Gregorian calendar than they did the previous year. So, each month can cycle through all the different seasons.
Fasting In The Summer Months
Fasting is among the five main pillars of Islam. According to the Holy Prophet (SAWW) traditions, as related by various narrators, missing or breaking a fast without a genuine reason is strictly prohibited in Islam. Hazard Abu Hurairah relates the following hadith:
“The Messenger of Allah said:’Whoever breaks the fast during Ramadan without an allowance or illness, then if he fasted for all time, his fasting would not make up for it.’” (Jamai at-Tirmidhi, Book 8, Hadith 42)
This clearly shows that breaking a fast is never allowed unless there is a legitimate reason. It is difficult to fast during the summer season. However, it is not impossible.
Fasting during summer is challenging because the days are longer and the fasting period is much longer than in winter. Thirst is also much greater during summer since the body loses hydration much more quickly due to sweating.
As Muslims, it should be our belief that whatever hardships and challenges we face are from Allah. These are a form of All-mighty. He says in the Holy Quran:
“Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test?” (29:2)
Hardships are a part of life, and tasting should not be viewed as a source of suffering. It is among the purest form of worship, a gift from the Almighty to atone for our sins and shortcomings.
Additionally, there are ways to make fasting during summer more bearable and easy. The extremity of weather conditions is not an excuse for not fasting.
Making Fasting In The Summer Easier
You can do different things to energize yourself despite the hot temperatures and the long days. Here are our top tips for you:
Keep Yourself Hydrated
Thirst during the summertime intensifies. Drinking water becomes more crucial during periods of high temperatures as they can lead to dehydration.The best way to combat this is by drinking a lot of liquids, especially water, from the time you break the fast till suhoor.
You can drink juices; however, these are full of sugars and result in a sudden spike in blood glucose levels. It would be best to balance energy levels throughout the day. Foods like yogurt, tea, milk, and dates were also good sources of energy and hydration.
Eat Fresh Fruits
Instead of drinking juices, it is better to eat fresh fruits. Fruits are not just full of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals, they are also high in water content.
Fruits like watermelons, melons, and citrus fruits are particularly high in water content. They are delicious, filling and contain fiber that helps with digestion. Making fruits great for those who experience digestion issues, particularly while fasting.
Include a variety of fruits in your diet during Ramadan by making fruit salads. Combine fresh fruits in season, like apples, bananas, mangoes, guavas, and strawberries. You can add a few seasonings if you usually do not like eating fruits.
Maintain Energy Levels
To avoid getting tired and light-headed during summer while fasting, you must ensure that energy levels throughout the day remain stable. Not only does this help with going about your daily routine while casting, but it is also desirable because it keeps glucose levels in check.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and foods containing complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates release energy over time instead of giving you a boost of energy all at once, followed by a crash.
- Eat brown bread, whole wheat flour, and pasta to fill meals that provide slow-release energy throughout the day.
- Eggs, chicken, and meat are also good high-energy foods. How you prepare these is important, which takes us to our next tip.
Avoid Fried Foods
Fried foods are full of oil and fats. Oily foods can make you more thirsty as well. It is not enough to eat high-energy foods like eggs, meat, poultry, and vegetables, these must be prepared in a way that is healthy as well.
Prepare food using other techniques, like boiling, stir-frying, baking, toasting, barbequing, or roasting.
Read More: How to Perform Istikhara?
Stay Away From Processed Foods
Processed foods are high in sugars and salts and usually contain simple carbs. Eating processed foods can result in a sudden rise in energy levels that does not last.
These are also extremely high in artificial flavorings, preservatives, and additives. While it is very stimulating for the brain, processed food’s taste completely messes up our sense of taste. Normal food appears bland and unappetizing compared to processed foods with delicious chemicals.
Ramadan is the best time of the year to stay away from processed foods. Not only are these unhealthy, but they also increase the need to drink water. Cook at home. This will ensure you get a healthy diet and help pass the time and wait for the sun to set so you can break the fast.
Pray To Allah
Ramadan is a month full of blessings. In it, all prayers, applications, and good deeds are rewarded manifold. It is recommended to pray as much as possible during the holy month. There is plenty of extra worship one can do during Ramadan. Not only does it gain us the favor of Allah Almighty, but it also helps to pass the time.
Praying obligatory prayers and extra prayers means doing ablution. Valuation involves pouring water on one’s body and rinsing the mouth. This helps with the desire to drink water. It could the body and provides some relief against the heat.
There are many different dua for fasting that can assist with passing the time during Ramadan. We can always invoke Allah and seek His Mercy. He is the ultimate Helper and is found to provide us with strength and determination regardless of circumstances.
Fasting During Ramadan
Fasting is an integral part of belief. It is a fundamental pillar of worship. Abstaining from food, drink, and certain other acts during Ramadan is an obligation on all Muslims of age.
It does not matter in which season the month of Ramadan falls, one must be prepared to observe the obligatory worship without hesitation. You can use plenty of tips to get through fasting during difficult times.
Each of the tips above encourages healthy eating and is recommended all year round, not just during Ramadan. Most of all, we should ask Allah for His Help and Blessings during challenging times, and He will surely ease our burdens, no matter how insignificant they are.
