Ramadan survival guide for observing students

Ramadan is a time of the year where Muslims all around the world fast from dawn till dusk. They not only keep themselves from eating and drinking, they also refrain from sinful acts and try their best to live righteously. This blessed month brings challenges and blessings together. But surely and truly, the blessings are much more than the challenges.

The Prophet PBUH said:

“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”

Ramadan is the month where Allah the Almighty bestows His special favors upon His servants. He gives us a chance to do more good, to remove our previous sins from the record book, and to fill the book instead with righteous acts. The rewards of fasting you ask?

Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Every action a son of Adam does shall be multiplied—a good action by ten times its value, up to 700 times. Allah says: With the exception of fasting, which belongs to Me, and I reward it accordingly. For, one abandons his desire and food for My sake.

There are two occasions of joy for a fasting person: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord, and the (bad) breath (of a fasting person) is better in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk.” (Al-Bukhari)

The month of Ramadan often falls at a time when colleges and universities around the world hold their exams. The stress of exams combined with empty stomachs means that students typically perceive a conflict between exam performance and fasting. This leaves observant Muslim students as well as academics seeking accommodations for meals. Some universities provide their Muslim students with meal boxes for pre-dawn meals, while others offer to give exams at a different time (which may not be a better option).

Do you skip fasts on exam day?

Some Muslim students skip their obligatory fasts on exam days due to the fear of performing poorly. This may not be necessary, however, because while on one hand food provides energy and energy runs the brain, research also shows that we perform more efficiently on an empty stomach. While not eating makes us feel uncomfortable, there is some strong evidence to show that it can make us more productive. According to researchers from Yale University and the British Neuroscience Association,

This reminds us of a saying of Umar RA where He advices:

“To eat less is healthy, to speak less is wisdom, and to sleep less is worship.”

Now we will share with you a useful guide for surviving exams during Ramadan.

Plan:

Someone rightly said:

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

Planning your routine ahead of time will be very helpful in that it will prepare your mind and help with adapting to the sudden shift in routine.

Plan your day and all the preparation schedule around Salah times; this will help you by giving deadlines for each task, maximizing your efficiency. This will also help you with the punctuality of Salahs.
Shop for grocery and other necessities in advance so that you don’t have to waste time and energy in shopping for them.
Be determined and strong because mental stress can make it difficult to successfully observe fasting.
Plan ahead to have a balance in your sleep and study schedule; if possible, start adjusting your sleep schedule a week or so ahead of Ramadan, making changes incrementally each day leading up to it.

Be well rested:

A well-rested and relaxed body will be more prepared for fasting as compared to a poorly rested and exhausted body.

Although fasting can cause lethargy, try to get your 8 hours of sleep daily so that your health is not compromised.
Try to sleep right after taraweeh Salah and wake up before suhur (morning meal).
Studying right after fajr Salah is proven to be effective because our minds are the most efficient at that time.

First fasts vs the rest

The first steps are always the most difficult ones. Similarly, the first few days of fasting during Ramadan are also the most difficult days to survive. It is normal to feel like you reached your limit, but never give up! As the days pass, your body will get used to the new routine and you will feel much more relaxed and comfortable with it. Trust your abilities and try to push yourself outside your comfort zone. One thing that may help is to remind yourself of this famous quote by Nietzsche:

Suhoor (Pre-dawn meal) choices:

Suhoor is the first meal that you will eat before dawn, after which you will not be having any meals until sundown.

Make sure the meal really fuels up your body for the day. This doesn’t mean you need to binge eat in suhoor; rather you should eat healthy foods during this time so it will strengthen your body for the day.
Slow energy-releasing foods high in complex carbohydrates and protein, such as oatmeal, whole grains, beans, meats and eggs will provide energy for a much longer period of time, compared to quick-energy sources comprised of simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, jam, and white bread.
Stay well hydrated during the non-fast time of the day. Besides drinking water, also drink juices, herbal and green teas – but limit caffeine intake (caffeine is a diuretic, which makes the body excrete water). You can also eat foods with a high water content, such as yogurt and fresh cheese (fromage frais or quark), and fruit puree.

Exercise:

Do not unnecessarily physically exert your body.

Take regular breaks and do not push yourself too hard, rather take it easy.
Your only exercise can be the daily Salahs and routine work that you do. Keep yourself well rested and fresh for these activities.

Iftar (evening meal) choices:

Iftar will be a meal that you will eat after a long period of staying with an empty stomach. It is very tempting to gulp down all the juices and gorge on lots of fatty foods but be mindful of what you eat! The worst thing you can do is overeat or quickly drink too much at that time, because the empty stomach can very easily get sickened if food and drink is consumed improperly.

You will be very thirsty, but try to drink slowly only a normal cup or two of water, in order to rehydrate your body before the meal. Fruit juices and milk are also good for providing quick energy. Drink water before the meal, but not during the meal, so as not to slow your digestion.
You will be very hungry, but try to eat slowly, resisting the temptation to overeat. Begin with mild foods higher in sugar but low in fat. Traditionally one or two dates are consumed as a way of breaking the fast. Soups are also a good beginning food. Remember to eat well at Iftar – vegetables and lean meats – and limit “junk food” because you only have a small window of opportunity to get all your necessary nutrition.

Yahya Al-Bakka’ narrated from Ibn ‘Umar who said:
“A man belched in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ), so he (ﷺ) said: ‘Restrain your belching from us. For indeed those who are filled most in the world will be the hungriest on the Day of Judgment.”

(sunan tirmidhi Vol #4, Hadith #2478)

Avoid eating fried foods to break your fast. Try eating healthy wholesome food.

“Eat of the good things which We have provided for you” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:172)

Keep yourself busy:

The Prophet PBUH would be busy in the remembrance of Allah during His fasts. Throughout the entire day, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) would keep himself busy in acts of generosity and charity, so much so that, although he was the most benevolent among people, his benevolence increased markedly during the month of Ramadan.

When you have free time during the day, apart from resting, keep yourself busy in reading and learning the Quran and perform at least one good act because then will you be able to feel the true essence and happiness of Ramadan.
Divert your mind from thinking about fasting or exam stress, and put it towards new ideas for charitable and good acts that you can do.

Dua

“And your Lord says: “Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)” (Quran 40:60).

Dua should be our first and last resort. We should constantly seek Allah’s Help and ease as we study while fasting. Begin Ramadan with a sincere Dua for great success in exams and in improving us spiritually. Beg Allah to help you balance all of your responsibilities, and to emerge from Ramadan more God-conscious, a better student, and with more knowledge and understanding.

End note:

Always remember that:

“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship” – [Surah Al-Baqarah | Ayah 185]

Whatever Allah has made obligatory upon us is for a better reason than we think. Our five daily Salahs improves our cognitive abilities and mindfulness, likewise fasting, if done right, also makes us more efficient and more productive individuals. The only thing that is required of us is complete trust and submission to the will of Allah, and then will we be able to experience true happiness and tranquility.

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