As we entered the last third of Ramadan in 2021, while enjoying the blessings of the most sacred time of the year, my 12-year-old kept saying “I am going to miss Ramadan when its over”.  I could totally relate to how she was feeling because I know that no other month (with the exception of the time within and around Eid-Al Adha) can offer the same happiness, safety, prosperity and wellbeing the same as what we experience in this blessed month.  As we got closer to Ramadan Eid, we knew the feeling of losing some of the extra added cushion of goodness on top of every moment in our lives throughout that month which would not be felt the same way in other months.  With bated breath we celebrated Ramadan Eid and prayed to our creator to grant us life so we could experience Ramadan the following year.  With His blessings and mercy, we are here and able to experience this beauty of Ramadan again in 2022 😊.   

For those who may not be as close to knowing about Ramadan, let me summarize high level what is Ramadan.  Ramadan is the Muslim lunar calendar’s ninth month and The Holy Quran was sent down in this month for all humanity.  During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.  This encompasses abstaining from drinking or eating through this time while staying calm and peaceful.  They can eat 1 meal pre-dawn (also known as Suhur) and usually break the fast by another meal post dusk (also known as Iftar).  In addition, other forms of worship through this month include praying (regular prayers and Taraweeh as possible), reading Quran and giving out charity.  Laylatul Qadr is the most awaited night in the last one third of Ramadan.  And one more important piece of information to mention – When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained!

With so much that happens during this month, it is sometimes beyond comprehension of human mind how many benefits can be collected during this time.  Every action that we take during this month is highly beneficial to us in the context of physical well-being, mental well-being and spiritual well-being.  Let’s unpack these benefits one by one:

1. Increased self-control:  Fasting from dawn to dusk and avoiding temptations of food and drink helps increase self-control.  There have been numerous studies conducted by University faculties that show that increased self-control leads to strengthened willpower which in turn leads one to achieve their goals and outcomes with the best possible outcome. 
2. Improved cognition:  The Pacific Neuroscience Institute has stated that recent research and clinical trials suggest that sustained fasting regimens maintained over months or even years may also improve memory along with executive function, and overall cognition.    
3. Appreciation of blessings:  As we keep moving along our daily life from one day to the next, it is easy to not appreciate what is easily available to you that your creator has blessed you with.  However when you are required to abstain from that which is easily available to you for a specified amount of time, you develop a whole new appreciation of even the smallest thing associated with you and within your life. 
4. Charity:  More aptly referred to as “Zakat” during the month of Ramadan, even the act of charity has benefits associated with it.  Not only does it make you feel good about being able to help others who need financial help, but it also solidifies your own personal values and helps you build your legacy as your children observe and understand the reason to give Zakat and grow up with same strong values wherein they will continue this in their life-time and generations to come.  And the more you give, the more your Creator keep providing back to you! 
5. Physical Wellbeing:  Increased self-control and the methodology of intermittent fasting has long-term physical benefits.  Studies have shown that increased self-control leads to greater cardiovascular, respiratory and dental health as well as better financial status.  In addition, intermittent fasting boosts metabolism, reduces blood sugar levels, causes cell repair and washes away toxins. 
6. Mental Wellbeing:  Perhaps the most significant of the benefits of Ramadan is the increased mental well-being.  By controlling your emotions, controlling your temptations, abstaining from any loud entertainment, and increasing your act of worship, you not only benefit your physical health, but also develop a way to introduce calmness into your super-charged, fast running nervous system in your brain.  By not being distracted by food, drink, Netflix, etc. your brain cells don’t have to over-time to accommodate too many things at once rather be more focused helping you be more creative, innovative, more strategic and support appropriate decision making!    
7. Spiritual Wellbeing/Increased connection to a Higher Power:  This one should come as a no brainer.  All the benefits mentioned above help to build a better and stronger connection with that Higher Power, our Creator!  Increased acts of worship, kindness, and self-control altogether elevate our thinking to the next level and help us connect to the deep meaning of this life which gives way to thinking about the one who created everything around us, including us, and no matter how much we thank Him, it will never be enough.  But knowing that there is a Higher Power watching over you is liberating! 

I only gave you a high-level glimpse of some of the benefits of Ramadan.  Each of these can be and have been studied in-depth and it is not practically possible to capture ALL the benefits in one post. 

When we look around us today, we can see every person is fraught with some type of challenge – financial concerns, health concerns, relationships failing, addictions, lack of motivation, and the list goes on and on.  If every individual today was to introspect/self-reflect upon their life and experience Ramadan by following it even for as little as a day, they will start to see how things change in their life and they will be able to take their life journey to a completely new level where they will feel accomplished, satisfied and happy and they will be able to establish the needed balance in their life again!

Instead of ending this post with a quote today, I will just encourage everyone to take some time, tune out all the distractions, and think deeply about your life goals and purpose!  This introspection should lead you to a path that will certainly enlighten the rest of your life!