First Ramadhan Working, Charity Iftar Dinners and A Thankful Soul

Assalamualaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatu. Hope you are having a Successful Ramadhan. Can you believe it is more than half of ramadhan already? Subhanallah! And I have really enjoyed it so far, thanks to all the iftar invitations, ample opportunity for increasing ibadah and meeting new people. Not only that, I recently graduated from University which makes this my first post as a doctor, Alhamdulillah. This also means that it is going to be my first ramadhan in full time employment.
Even before I started work, I experienced something that made me appreciate Allah's favour more. When I was moving, I packed a small bag of food intended for only that day as it was a Thursday and I meant to go back to finalise my packing the following day. Because I am me, I had planned what I was going to eat which meant everything was in that one bag including my plate. I even went to the local supermarket to buy some vegetables to complement my meal after I'd arrived. You can imagine the shock I got come iftar time, when I realised that I left the bag at home. This meant I only had stir fried vegetables and canned fish but I was still very disappointed as this wasn't 'the plan'. Then I became ashamed of myself, I at least had food in front of me! It dawned on me that there are several people around the world who kept their fast with nothing and who aren't even sure what they will break their fast with. What more, ramadhan makes no difference to them because outside of ramadhan they don't have food to eat. And there I was moping because I didn't have 'my planned meal'. That day, I learnt to be more appreciative of what Allah has blessed me with.

If the thoughts of starting a full time job didn't scare me enough, I was going to be starting work during the month of Ramadhan. I wasn't sure how I was going to cope with fasting and working in a fast paced environment. This along with all the other hundred things running through my mind meant that the night before I started, I only managed 3 hours of sleep. I'm sure you all must agree that this isn't the best way to begin your first day at work! But then I felt it must be a blessing that I get to start my working life during the blessed month of Ramadhan so I made dua for Allah to make it easy for me as well as my other colleagues who will be in the same situation all across the country.
And amazing how I feel after a week at work, alhamdulillah. The tiredness I was expecting didn't come even with my lack of sleep, neither did the thirst I dreaded; in fact, I enjoyed it! I did tie the camel though before putting my trust in Allah, I drank plenty of water at iftar and sahoor to make sure I'm hydrated during the day. It felt even easier than my normal non- fasting days. One thing I enjoy is giving mini Ramadhan awareness talks to some of the people I work with which usually starts off when I'm offered tea. To which I say "no thanks", not that I'm a tea person anyway. But after the second or third time, I reply, "thanks I'm fasting". Then comes the questions that make me smile. Can you drink water? Can you chew gum? Will it be cheating if you worked nights because you'll be asleep all day? Do you not get dehydrated? Do you not feel thirsty/tired? You mean 13 year olds have to fast too? Isn't that too strict? Then I give them my little talk on why we fast and how it is mind over matter; moreover, that it is the intention that matters. Not only that, it also keeps us in touch with reality and we see it as a prize that's worth the price.
I know not every week will be like my first week, I know that great challenges lie ahead but right now all I can say as a thankful soul is Alhamdulillah!


Talking about food and appreciating what you have, there are quite a few charity dinners happening in the next few days. If you're interested in joining many across the globe that will be inviting friends and family to break their fast and using the opportunity to raise money for charity, the date for your diary is the 11th of August. Here are some of the good cause to consider raising money for:

SHAREYOURIFTAR organised by Muslim Aid to help raise money for the Syrian Emergency Appeal. Click on the picture on how to do this and for more information

Some tips on making iftar for many people.
1. Purify your intentions throughout and remind yourself that you're doing this for Allah(SWT).
2. Plan in advance: know how many people are definately coming and how many maybe coming.
3. Keep it simple: try not to go all out and then become overwhelmed.
4. Make something you're familiar with or look for easy to follow recipes. Muslim aid even have some good recipes you can try on  their website.
5. Delegate: get someone to make desert especially if you know that is their speciality and get others to bring drinks, it will be one less thing to worry about.
6. Don't make too much food as it defeats the purpose of the dinner if you end up wasting food.
7. Get take away packs so that if at all there's any food remaining, people can take some home with them.
8. Have a brief speech ready - you can get people to donate more by actually telling people about the cause
which means you need to know your cause properly and be ready to answer questions.
9. Have a backup plan - just in case.
10. Remember to have fun!

What if like me you don't have the opportunity to cook or cooking is not just your thing? Well, you can go for one of the iftar others are organising or there's the Charity Iftar dinner by Islamic Relief. One in Luton and one in Birmingham, both on the 11th of August. And if you're up North, don't worry there are Charity Iftars not too far away in Rochdale and Oldham on the 10th and 12th respectively all by Islamic Rellief. Click on the picture for more info. Don't forget that Islamic relief is also doubling every donation you make this Ramadhan!

Since Ramadhan started, I got introduced to this drink that I thought I'd share- Rooafzah known as Sirap Selsasi in Malay. It's actually quite simple to make (Using the cheat method that utilises ready-made rose water syrup)

Sirap Selasi drink
What you'll need (Serves 4)
Water - 1 litre
Basil seeds (Tukmaria/ biji selasih) - 2 tablespoon
100-150mls of rosewater syrup

To make
Soak the basil seeds in water until it starts to look like frog eggs, keep aside.

Soaked basil seeds

Add the water and syrup together in a jug, taste to check if sweet enough, If not add more syrup.

Drain the basil seeds and add to the mixture

Put in the fridge to chill and ready to serve. Stir before serving so everyone gets a fair share of the basil seeds.

So, as we get into the final lap of Ramadhan and everyone trying to increase the rewards, I pray that Allah gives us the ability to make the ultimate most of it! Enjoy the remaining days of your Ramadhan 1433.