• Managing work, family and spiritual commitments

We are now in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of deep spiritual reflection, devotion, and self-discipline for millions of Muslims worldwide. 

Fasting from dawn until sunset is a central aspect of this sacred month, requiring not only abstinence from food and drink but also a heightened commitment to faith, prayer, and acts of kindness. 

However, alongside these religious observances, daily responsibilities continue as usual, whether professional, academic, or personal. The challenge then arises: how do individuals balance their work obligations while maintaining their spiritual commitments during this physically demanding period?

A delicate balance

While Ramadan is a time of sacrifice and renewal, it is also a month where energy levels fluctuate due to fasting and managing productivity can be a challenge. Many experience shifts in sleep patterns, moments of fatigue, and the need for more mindful time management. Yet, despite these challenges, millions successfully navigate their workdays, finding ways to maintain efficiency while honouring their faith. 

The balance between spiritual fulfilment and professional commitments requires thoughtful adjustments, personal discipline, and, in some cases, understanding and flexibility from workplaces.

In order to learn about how individuals manage this delicate balance, The Sunday Morning Brunch reached out to a few of our readers who are currently fasting while juggling their work and daily tasks. They shared their personal experiences, strategies for maintaining productivity, and how their workplaces accommodate their needs during this sacred month.

Gratitude and self-discipline

For some, fasting during Ramadan has become second nature, having been part of their routine since childhood. 

Ameer Akram shared his perspective, explaining that the experience was not particularly challenging for him. “I’ve been fasting since I was about seven years old, so it’s pretty normal for me. There was a long period where we would fast and still go to school, so I think we’ve just got used to it. I don’t really see it as particularly difficult,” he said.

However, Ameer noted that his job required frequent travel, which added a layer of challenge, especially towards the end of the day. “While food isn’t really an issue, I do feel the effects of thirst when I’ve been on the road for long hours. That’s the only thing I find particularly difficult,” he said.

Despite these challenges, he emphasised the deeper meaning behind the practice of fasting. “Most religious practices involve doing good deeds to gain merit, but fasting is something we do purely for God. It teaches us discipline, humility, and understanding. It’s said that only 25% of the world’s population actually has access to proper food, and through fasting, we can empathise with that reality. That’s what makes it meaningful.”

Ameer’s sentiments highlight how Ramadan is not just about physical endurance but also about developing a deeper sense of gratitude and self-discipline. While everyone experiences fasting differently, many find that it strengthens their faith and reinforces values of patience, empathy, and perseverance.

Adapting when necessary

For many observing Ramadan, fasting is a deeply ingrained practice, one that continues regardless of external challenges. 

Ardhil Faizer, who operates a food stall and lottery stand near the Nugegoda Flyover, shared his perspective on managing work while fasting. 

“I fast every year and I have never considered not fasting just because of my work. Although my brother and I have been running this stall for quite some time, the weather has really affected us in recent years; it’s much hotter these days and the shifting weather patterns don’t help. 

“If you look at the stall, we are very exposed to the elements, and I’m always on my feet, whether customers come or not. So it’s not the best of conditions to fast, but it’s a very normal thing for us,” he said.

He further noted that despite the physical demands of his job, fasting had become second nature, adding: “Until you asked me, I hadn’t even thought about it; it’s just part of life. I think we’ve adapted so well that I didn’t even realise how much we adjust. My brother steps in more often to help during Ramadan and we switch things up a little. Actually, we even open the stall a bit later during this month to accommodate our new routine.”

For workers like Ardhil, Ramadan is a time of personal discipline and spiritual reflection, even when it means working through the heat, long hours, and physically demanding conditions. His experience reflects the resilience of those who integrate fasting seamlessly into their daily routines, adapting when necessary but never compromising on their devotion.

A shift in priorities

For many Muslims, Ramadan is not just about fasting but also about deepening their spiritual connection through prayer. Rihaab Mahmoor highlighted this aspect, explaining that while Muslims were required to pray five times a day throughout the year, Ramadan brought additional spiritual practices. 

“People often don’t know this, but aside from our regular daily prayers, there is also ‘Taraweeh,’ a special, voluntary night prayer performed during Ramadan. It takes place after the ‘Isha’ prayer and before ‘Witr,’ and can involve the recitation of long portions of the Quran. It often lasts for an hour or even an hour-and-a-half, which is why mosques remain open late at night for worship,” she shared.

With ‘Taraweeh’ prayers extending late into the night and the need to wake up before dawn for ‘Suhoor’ (the pre-dawn meal), sleep schedules naturally shift during Ramadan. Rihaab, who works from home, explained how this affected her daily routine. 

“After ‘Taraweeh,’ we usually go to sleep for a few hours, then wake up at around 3.30 a.m. for ‘Suhoor.’ In my case, I typically go back to sleep and wake up a little later in the day. I think one of the biggest changes for Muslims during Ramadan is that we do wake up later than usual, and getting started at work might take a bit longer due to this new routine,” she said.

Balancing household responsibilities alongside fasting and spiritual commitments can also be challenging. 

“I have to manage the housework alone because I’m at home during the day, and even when my husband comes home from work, he’s also quite exhausted since we’re both fasting. During this month, while I stick to my regular routine of cooking and light cleaning, I attempt major household chores less frequently,” Rihaab added.

This shift in priorities during Ramadan reflects how fasting not only influences work schedules but also affects daily life, requiring adjustments to ensure a balance between faith, responsibilities, and well-being.

Managing family obligations

Another key aspect of managing work while fasting is understanding energy levels and structuring the day accordingly. Hafsa Huda, who works a 9-to-5 office job, shared her personal strategy for balancing productivity during Ramadan. 

“I actually got my period the first week of the month, so I only recently started fasting, and honestly, every year my strategy is to plan ahead and prioritise my work. Otherwise, it’s not the easiest to manage,” she explained.

She highlighted that the most challenging part was not necessarily her job but the added responsibility of managing family obligations, noting: “Typically, I have enough energy to work, and once I’m done with office work, I go home, where my mother looks after my son during the day. When I get home, I take over from her, but because we are fasting these days, it’s quite exhausting and it does feel daunting.”

Adding to this, Hafsa shared the dynamic in her household when it came to food preparation during Ramadan. “My son isn’t fasting yet – he’s only five – so my mother usually takes care of his meals. Sometimes he joins us in the morning, but most of the time, he follows his normal routine. However, meal preparation continues in our house as usual, and it will do so until he reaches puberty or whenever he decides he wants to fast with us,” she said.

Despite the added workload, Hafsa expressed gratitude for her mother’s support, acknowledging that not everyone had the privilege of family assistance while fasting. 

“I know many don’t have that privilege and still engage in fasting while managing everything on their own,” she added, recognising the strength and resilience of those who took on both professional and personal responsibilities during Ramadan.

An essential cleanse

Managing work during Ramadan while fasting and adhering to the spiritual commitments of the holy month presents its challenges. From adjusting sleep schedules to maintaining productivity amid physical fatigue, many individuals must adapt their routines to balance professional responsibilities with their faith. 

However, for those engaged in physically demanding jobs such as food delivery workers, labourers, and domestic staff, the challenge is even greater. The heat, long hours on their feet, and the nature of their work demand an extra level of resilience. 

Similarly, mothers who fast while balancing their professional duties must also return home to care for their children, often putting their own exhaustion aside to fulfil household responsibilities.

Yet, as those we spoke to have shared, Ramadan is more than just a period of sacrifice; it is a time of spiritual renewal, discipline, and deep reflection. 

While fasting can be physically demanding, many find it to be a fulfilling practice that strengthens their connection to faith and instils a sense of gratitude, patience, and self-control. Whether through effective planning, mindful engagement with social media, or embracing the discipline of prayer, individuals have developed ways to navigate work and daily life with devotion and purpose.

Ultimately, despite the hardships, those observing Ramadan do so with unwavering commitment. Many see it as an opportunity for both spiritual and personal growth – an essential cleanse not just for the body but also for the mind and soul. 

Whether in an office, on a construction site, or making deliveries across the city, fasting individuals continue to demonstrate remarkable endurance, proving that faith and determination can overcome even the toughest of challenges.