Dear Steemers,
Firstly, Ramadan Kareem to you all! Even if you are not Muslim I wish Allah's blessings on you.
Ramadan started on May 17th this year and so we began fasting from food and water until sunset (Mahgrib). Because I exercise daily I only fast from food and make sure I stay hydrated. My first workout was hard due to lack of food - but I did it! As you can see, in Saudi Arabia, they change the gym timings to fit in with those who are fasting.
For those who don't know much about Ramadan, here are some facts:
Why do Muslims fast?
Fasting is meant to draw worshippers closer to God through sacrifice, remembrance and heightened spirituality. It's also meant to be a month of gratitude in which the faithful are reminded of the suffering of those less fortunate. Similar to a detox, fasting is often most challenging at the start, especially when kicking habits like caffeine and cigarettes during the day. Fasting is seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify.
The month-long fast and rules
Muslims must abstain from all eating, drinking or smoking from dawn to dusk each day for the entire lunar month, around 30 days. A single sip of water or a puff of a cigarette is enough to invalidate the fast. Muslims are encouraged to avoid gossip and arguments. To prepare for the fast, Muslims wake in the night for a pre-dawn meal called suhoor. Often the small meal will include vegetables and fruits, tea, yogurt, dates and power foods such as beans and lentils. In many cities in the Muslim world, volunteers wake the faithful for suhoor by marching through the pre-dawn streets chanting and beating drums.
How do Muslims break their fast?
Muslims traditionally break their fast like the Prophet Muhammad did some 1,400 years ago, with a sip of water and some dates at sunset. After sunset prayers, a large feast known as iftar is shared with family and friends. Iftar is a social event as much as it is a gastronomical adventure. Across the Arab world, apricot juice is an iftar staple.
Last night, my roommate and I prepared out first iftar. We broke our fast like Prophet Muhammad by eating dates. We then had chicken, potatoes, savory oatmeal, carrot soup and arugula salad! Take a look at our smorgasbord!'
