Insightful Tips from a British Muslim Doctor for Positive Transformation in the Last 10 Days of Ramadan
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Roshan Amiri
- . April 2, 2024
- . Update: April 2, 2024 8:19 pm
As Muslims embark on the final 10 days of Ramadan, a period characterized by intensified worship, maintaining energy levels becomes crucial. Dr. Hina Shahid, the chairperson of the Muslim Doctors Association, emphasizes the significance of sustaining sahoor consumption for British Muslims as they fast during the day and engage in night worship in pursuit of the night of power.
The night of power, known as Laylat Al-Qadr in Arabic, holds great reverence in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the night when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. While its exact date remains unknown, it is believed to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Muslims are encouraged to seek Laylat Al-Qadr during this period, as it is described in the Qur’an as being “better than a thousand months” in terms of virtue.
During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, Muslims devote more time to prayer, supplication, and recitation of the Qur’an. However, this can pose challenges due to sleep deprivation and fatigue caused by fasting for the initial 20 days of the holy month.
Dr. Shahid underscores the importance of continuing to consume the pre-dawn meal, sahoor, despite the temptation to skip it and sleep through. She recommends balanced meals that are rich in fluids for both sahoor and iftar, while emphasizing the selection of local and seasonal produce.
Dr. Shahid states, “There are numerous positive changes that people can make during these last 10 days, not only to enhance their worship but also to ensure they maintain their energy levels. It’s common for people to feel tired during this stretch of Ramadan and skip sahoor, but it’s really important to have that meal because it will keep you going for the rest of the day.”
She advises consuming well-rounded meals for sahoor and iftar, incorporating complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, healthy proteins, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and ample fluids. Dr. Shahid recommends a daily intake of two liters of fluids, which can be staggered during non-fasting hours. Including fluid-rich foods in meals helps meet the recommended fluid intake.
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A personal favorite sahoor option for Dr. Shahid is overnight oats, which allows for a balanced combination of different food groups without draining energy and time. She highlights the importance of time-efficient meal preparation to prioritize worship during the final third of Ramadan. Additionally, Dr. Shahid emphasizes the benefits of choosing local and seasonal produce, as studies indicate they offer better health and nutrient value compared to processed foods.
Regarding post-Ramadan habits, Dr. Shahid suggests being mindful of food intake, increasing fluid consumption, and quitting smoking. She states, “Food is medicine. Everything that you put into your body will keep you going in terms of worship. That’s really the purpose of why you’re eating: to optimize your worship. We should carry that mindset forward: that food is medicine and that the purpose of what you’re eating is not only to nourish your body but also to nourish your soul.”
