How Does Ramadan Help People Give Up Bad Habits?

Rabat – Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims restrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is also a month when Muslims build stronger ties with Allah through fasting, prayers, zakat (almsgiving), and, if possible, Hajj (pilgrimage).

Other good deeds include reading Quran, offering sadaqah (charity), helping people, and smiling at others, among other noble deeds whereby Muslims atone for their sins and attain Allah’s pleasure for the Hereafter’s reward (paradise). Therefore, Ramadan is a contest with a Muslim person’s inner self to earn as many virtues as possible.

However, not everyone spends Ramadan the same way. For some, it is a question of habit, but for others, it is a tough duty. During the holy period of Ramadan habits such as smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited. For people battling with addiction, every day in Ramadan lasts forever as they keep counting the hours left to Maghrib adhan (the calling for Maghrib prayer) or “iftar” time to start eating and hopefully savor pleasure from their addiction.

Aside from the addicts that are in denial or feel no remorse, what about those who aspire to put an end to their addiction, and who are stricken with the burden of guilt?

Since Ramadan is the month of fasting, this means that it is a golden opportunity to overcome addiction. This task is not difficult to grasp, but the challenging aspect is taking action. These “ambitious addicts,” make the same mistake of counting the hours and days which implies that they have no room for patience, as the English proverb says “a watched kettle never boils.”

Another mistake these ambitious addicts make is to take up again their activity after a long day of fasting, thinking they have achieved success. But as soon as Ramadan ends, they feel disappointed to find themselves still entangled with their addiction.

Do you want to break a habit that has been annoying you? Follow these tips:

9 tips for a guilt-free Ramadan

Stick to your religious practices

First and foremost, never abandon the religious practices you are committed to perform, including but not limited to prayer, almsgiving, and reading the Quran. Remaining firm in your worshiping acts will nourish your spirit to righteous habits.

Prepare yourself psychologically days before Ramadan

Starting from one to two months ahead of Ramadan, think about stopping your habit. Stopping habits or cutting back before Ramadan arrives would make the process less strenuous.

Be mindful of not resuming the bad habit at iftar time

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to start the habit again after a long fast. Patience must be progressive in Ramadan, not intermittent. Therefore, at Iftar time (time to break the fast), you can eat and drink like anyone else, but you must keep away from your bad habit. There is an objective to attain!

Find a non-addict partner to coach you.

Finding a partner as a personal coach to guide you through your objectives is another useful tool to help you successfully quit a habit. This partner can be anyone from your surroundings and not necessarily a specialized coach. They will follow your daily records and advise you if they notice that you have started to lose motivation.

Set the objective on the first day

It is true that the first day of Ramadan is difficult, but if you manage it, be sure that the rest of the days will gradually become less challenging. So set a 24-hour objective.

Gradual progress

Viewing your objectives on a daily basis makes the targets seem more achievable. Every time you successfully attain your objective, extend it for another 24 hours. Everyone knows this seems easier said than done, but also bear in mind that impossible is nothing; the word itself says “I’m possible.” So urge your coaching partner to keep tracking your records and advising you when necessary.

Stand up after falling down

If you ever happen to lose patience, be fed up with the regime, and eventually take up the habit again, consider this as a break, not failure. Any activity needs a break but be honest with yourself; if you feel you can manage your plan without a break, do it. Otherwise, do not extend the break; resume your regime on the next day.

Practice a sport

It does not matter which sport you like or dislike, just move your body. The idea that sport is not advisable during Ramadan is wrong. Two hours before iftar, go to your gym or an open area and soften the effects that the bad habit left in your body. Set a schedule wherein sport features among your main activities. Practice doing a sport even if it is only jogging. Twice a week is a good start.

Have patience

All of the above tips rely on the crucial aspect of patience. It is your patience that determines how successful you will be during this 30-day test. As Ramadan assesses your patience, be reassured that if you succeed, you will cross any barrier obstructing your way. “Patience is,” indeed, “the key to relief.”

With both Ramadan’s requirements and your faithful commitment, you will certainly achieve satisfactory outcomes. Look upon Ramadan as a school for strengthening patience and developing good habits rather than a prison of duty and suffering.