Faith

Since the age of maturity I have fasted. This would have not been possible had it not been for education of God consciousness, piety and feelings for the poor given to me by my parents.

The first time I fasted was when I was 12 (25 now) and the fast was difficult as I had not done it before.

With the fasting I received encouragement from parents and family and when visitors would come to the house it would be recognised as something great and they would say: "Wow, you're fasting", making me feel good.

Sunset marks the end of the day's fast

As the years moved on and I had a more mature approach to fasting and the month of Ramadan, its meaning and purpose, it gave me a sense of appreciation of enhancing my spirituality and being subservient to God.

Initially fasting was not that tough, actually there was not much to it as the Holy Month fell in the winter season in which sunset is earlier but now fasting is on late summer and the days are longer and the fasting goes on for about 14 hours making it quite tough.

Dates are recommended to break the fast

The initial week is the most difficult as the body is not used to fasting and the different cycles of sleep.

I would come to work tired and when my colleagues are having lunch I would go out for a stroll so seeing the food does not make my stomach churn.

But I won't deny that when I get back in to the office the smell doesn't affect me because it does quite significantly.

When it's nearly time to break the fast I tend to sit watching the clock till it's time to break the fast.

Beating temptation

In my years of fasting I am proud to say that I have never failed and have been successful in keeping all the prescribed fasts.

Special evening prayers, or "Tarawi"

Yes, there are times when I have been tempted but the temptation is overcome when the thought of accountability to God and the reward in the afterlife passes the mind.

After five days to a week the worship and fasting becomes more easy and routine.

Throughout the long hours of the day I rarely feel tired and there is hardly any focus on my stomach but the concentration is on my actions, how am I towards my colleagues, family and friends, what's going through my mind etc and really it's beautiful as it makes my character much more humble and sincere.

Time coming up to the breaking of the fast is much spiritual as I am engulfed in devotion and prayer with the family all sitting around till it's time to break the fast and the "Call to Prayer" from the mosque is heard on the transmitter indicating that it's time to break the fast.

In the evening when we gather at the Chester Road mosque for the special prayer. There is such a brotherly feeling as people of different walks of life gather, shaking hands and hugging, for collective worship and to listen to the Quran being recited beautifully by the imams, echoing from the speakers surrounding the mosque.

Throughout this month it gives me the opportunity to enhance my spirituality and strengthen my relations with God.