3 Key Lessons We Can Learn from the Month of Ramadan
Read our blog to learn three important lessons from Ramadan that we can all apply in our daily life and work, so we can improve our lives and character.
Share
As a child, I would eagerly sit at the table waiting to hear the Azaan (call to prayer), which was the indicator that we could now break our fast for the day. Growing up, we were told that fasting during the month of Ramadan teaches us to be grateful for what we had—3 meals a day, every day; a roof over our heads; clothes on our backs; and the list goes on. Over the years, I have realized that there are many more lessons that we can learn from this month, regardless of our religious views.
A popular misconception about this month is that Ramadan is only about fasting. It also surprises many that we go from sunrise till sunset without eating or drinking—no, not even water.
Fasting is known to cleanse and detox the body, but it also cleanses the mind and soul. It teaches us to maintain discipline and to practice patience. Fasting is not easy—waking up in the early parts of the morning to have a small meal before the break of dawn, going about your day as normal, working long hours without the regular caffeine fix to keep you going, and finally the wait to break your fast at the end of the day. Discipline, dedication, and patience are all characteristics that we require in our daily lives, whether it is for work or personal motives. The underlying lesson is that we will face challenges, but we cope through them and persevere in the end.
“Verily, with hardship comes ease” (The Holy Quran, 94:5).
The holy month of Ramadan advocates for good mannerism, humility, and generosity. You are encouraged to treat others well, with love and kindness, to give charity to the poor, to be empathetic, and above all be humble and grateful for your good fortune. This is something that we should be doing regularly, but with the fast-paced world that we live in, it is often forgotten.
Discipline, dedication, and patience are all characteristics that we require in our daily lives, whether it is for work or personal motives. The underlying lesson is that we will face challenges, but we cope through them and persevere in the end.
The important lessons from Ramadan
If I had to summarize the key learnings from the month of Ramadan, they would be:
- Balance
Along with exercising patience, we ought to stay grounded as well. Part of this month is about detaching yourself from the materialistic things in the world, to focusing on both your mental and spiritual health. In order to remain productive, and maintain a healthy work-life balance, you need to unplug from work from time to time and let go of your stress. - Reflection
During this month, we stop and reflect on our past year. Although this may be in a spiritual sense, it is an act that we can adopt for other aspects of our lives. Take time to reflect on your habits and your goals (both work and personal). With self-reflection comes self-improvement—identifying where you are and where you want to be. It also helps to identify your negative and positive habits, which you can either change or improve upon. - Breaking/ Building Habits
It takes approximately 21 to 30 days to break a habit and/or form a new one. Ramadan gives us the opportunity to do so. A simple example would be smoking. Whilst fasting you are not allowed to smoke, and you would have to go 30 days without doing so. Most people end up having a cigarette or two once they break their fast in the evening, but if you can go the entire day without it, you can slowly give up the habit. It is the same concept for breaking any negative habits that we have and forming positive ones. Being dedicated and consistent with your behavior makes it easier to improve and change them. The challenge is to continue these good habits throughout the rest of the year.
Ramadan teaches us many lessons that can help us to improve our lives and our characters. From being compassionate and empathetic to adopting new habits and reminding ourselves to maintain balance in our lives.
May this month of Ramadan bring about blessings of good health, prosperity, and glad tidings for all. And may you be inspired to break your habits and form new ones.
Ramadan Kareem!
Read our blog on how to support your employees during the month of Ramadan!
