Ramadan Reflections with The Pique Lab ??

We may know that Ramadan is a special time for our Muslim friends, but how much do we really know about it?

Here at The Pique Lab, 4 of our team members Afdhal, Farah, Hanisah and Tutadawiah share their experiences of Ramadan.

Through their stories, we get to learn more about the spiritual significance of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, and the various rituals and traditions they observe individually and with their community. And kudos to Afdhal, we also explore the differences of how Eid al-Fitr is observed here in Singapore and India where he was born! ??

What Is Ramadan About?

Hanisah: For all Muslims, Ramadan is a time of self-reflection and appreciation for one’s daily blessings. It’s also the time for us to strengthen our deen (faith) — doing more good deeds, fulfilling our obligatory and additional prayers, revisiting the Qur’an (sacred scripture of Islam) and visiting the mosque.

We tend to neglect our Islamic obligations because we’re so consumed by our worldly problems. Ramadan is the perfect opportunity for us to to reflect on ourselves, learn from our mistakes and strive to become better Muslims. During Ramadan, we hope to fulfil our obligations with more diligence—until they become an integral part in our daily lives.

What Does Ramadan Mean To You??

Farah: One of the things I appreciate most about Ramadan is the apparent camaraderie within the Muslim community. Everybody is tired and hungry, so there's a sense of understanding and generosity when dealing with each other. Plenty of food is always being shared. They might be from your next-door neighbours, or the volunteers from the mosque, but regardless, people are always making sure you have enough to eat when it's time to break fast.

Hanisah: Ramadan means working towards nurturing my love for Islam. It’s not just an act of abstaining from eating and drinking for a certain period of time each day. I’ve always believed that the month of Ramadan helps me to get back on the right path and find the peace and calmness that I’ve lost amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Ramadan also means more family get-togethers for me! From waking up at 4 or 5AM to have a quick munch on oats before the day begins, to preparing our meals and setting the table for break fast — it amazes me how much we’re capable of doing in a single day, despite having to work for most of the hours.

Afdhal: As a Muslim, Ramadan is a special time for me when I fast from sunrise to sunset every day for a month. When I fast, I control myself to keep from eating and drinking, while having to go about my tasks as per usual. I'd have to keep a closer eye on how I am doing throughout the day so that I can do the next fast better. All of these help me to develop self-control and empathy for those who are less fortunate.

What Is Your Tip For Fasting?

Farah: The 1PM hunger pangs are definitely real, which is why besides abstaining from food, I also try to abstain from people who stress me out. Avoid any triggers of hangriness.

Afdhal: My go-to tip for making fasting easier is to drink a lot of water in the morning as it'll help to stave off hunger throughout the day.

What Special Traditions Do You Have During Ramadan?

Tutadawiah: I listen to prayers/meditations often and try to be more mindful of my language. My family and I also try our best to break our fasts together, and having kurma (dates) and air katira (katira drink) is a must!

What Are Some Types Of Food You Usually Enjoy During Ramadan?

Afdhal: I get to enjoy some of the best food and drinks, especially during iftar (break fast meal), such as dates! Dates are a quintessential part of any meal when it comes to fasting. They keep me from feeling full and come in many types as well. My personal favourite is Ajwa dates from Madinah in Saudi Arabia.

Farah: Ketupat, Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi (Malay Chicken Curry) and Serunding (Grated Coconut) is my go-to combination. Just thinking about it makes me very happy.?

What’s The Difference Between Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr?

Afdhal: While Ramadan is a time for personal and spiritual growth, Eid is a time for joy, celebration, and togetherness. During Eid, Muslims gather with family and friends, share meals, exchange gifts, and participate in community events.

I remember when I was younger, my brother and I received a pair of walkie-talkies. However, as we grew older, gifts slowly turned into money, which is equivalent to an angpao (Chinese red packet).

Eid is a time to celebrate the blessings from Allah and the successful completion of the month-long fast. I always look forward to the festive atmosphere of Eid, the colourful decorations, and the delicious food and sweets.

While Ramadan can be a challenging and rewarding month, Eid is a time to celebrate our faith, our community, and our blessings.

We hope that you've enjoyed reading these stories shared by our team members and learnt more about Ramadan with us!

Here at The Pique Lab, we are committed to supporting our Muslim team members during Ramadan. To better help our Customer Care team members manage their fasting schedule, we've incorporated special flexi-work benefits by scheduling additional break slots in the evening and adjusting their work hours so that they can break fast at sunset.

To all our Muslim friends, Ramadan Mubarak! ??