In the month of Ramadan, Muslims should worship Allah more than the rest of the year so that they may earn rewards in the afterlife. Due to the change in the time schedule, Muslims may find it a bit harder to cope with daytime activities. However, we should bear the hardship happily for the month of Ramadan is a test of patience and perseverance. Many Muslims find Ramadan to be a difficult time of year because they do not get proper sleep. This reflects on their efficiency in the office as they are not able to concentrate on their work and feel sleepy. A good way to deal with this situation is by going to bed after Taraweeh prayers. In that way one can have at least five hours of sleep before the pre-dawn meal. Then, after Fajr prayer, one can have at least two more hours of sleep, which should make one feel fresh and energized. Another thing that we must consider is eating habits in Ramadan. One mustn't feel fatigued after eating. An emphasis on fried food in Ramadan causes one to gain weight and feel fatigued throughout the day. To prevent this from happening, breaking the fast should include less fried food and more fruits and dates. Maintaining the minimum daily intake of water, eight glasses, is very important. Therefore, I advise everyone to drink lots of water during the pre-dawn meal and during the night. We must understand that the holy month of Ramadan is the month of worship and we mustn't waste it. Activities such as watching movies late in the night will spoil the spirit of worship. Moreover, we will deprive ourselves of sleep, which will make us feel tired and sleepy the next day. Therefore, instead of watching movies and listening to music during the night, we must pray vigilantly, recite the Qur'an and increase our understanding of Islam and Hadith through books of commentary. It has been observed that many Muslims lose their temper over trivial issues during the month of Ramadan. We must avoid such behavior so that our reward for fasting is not wasted. Also, Islam exhorts us to show and have good manners. As a matter of fact, Islam's foundation is built on good manners as this trait will lead to brotherhood among Muslims and provide a good impression to non-Muslims as well. Many poor Muslims do not have anything to eat, and we must take care of them by donating cash, food, and clothes, so that they may also feel comfortable in the holy month of Ramadan. Charity, of course, doubles our rewards for the afterlife. We must try to perform Umrah in the month of Ramadan, as the reward of Umrah in Ramadan is equal to that of Haj. Anees Lokhande, Al-Khobar
