The realistic guide on how to spend Ramadan alone
Ramadan isn’t a celebration, it’s an act of worship, alone or not alone, it’s all the same. No one knows you are actually fasting except Allah, and that’s what makes it so special. However the key is prepare prepare prepare.
Make meals ahead of time, the prototypical meal prep is essentially batch-cooking 4-5 lunches on a Sunday to be eaten throughout the work week, but it can go all the way from washing and pre-chopping vegetables in advance, on up to cooking and freezing an entire month’s worth of meals or more for the whole family. Meal prepping helps reduce food waste from perishable ingredients going unused, it helps save money, it’s way healthier for you than frozen ready meals loaded with sodium and mystery chemicals or fat-laden takeout, and it frees up your time throughout the week, not just in actual cooking, but cleaning, too. If you roast all of your meat for the week in one batch, you only have to fire up the oven/stove and clean your pan and prep area once, instead of every time you want meat. Conservatively, cooked food will keep in the fridge for at least three days after the day of cooking. If you cook on Sunday, food meant to be eaten through Wednesday will be fine in the fridge, but food for Thursday and beyond should be either prepared and cooked after Sunday, or stored in the freezer. Technically, the “best” ways to reheat food are on the stove with a pan and some oil, or an oven (conventional, toaster oven, or convection/air fryer). Having a protein packed breakfast is essential to keep you full throughout the day, my go to is baked sweet potato and sunny side eggs with almond butter toast, it is incredibly delicious. Stock up on a months worth of dates if you want but don’t worry if you cannot, you can still break your fast with water. Include hydrating foods like cucumbers, fruits, and yogurt in meals to help maintain electrolytes, or consume small amounts of coconut water.
Clean your surroundings decluttering the shelves, removing “noisy” ornaments or furniture that get in the way or washing your prayer rugs for a fresh feel. Attar, oud, fabric softener are all simple touches to change the atmosphere.
Prioritise sleep. As the month continues, I experience increasing fatigue because I'm usually sleeping at a later time and waking earlier each day.
Get your non muslim family or one of them to join you for iftar every now and again. You can even ask your work colleagues to join you for iftar you will feel better about it and it’s most likely that they will learn more about the religion.
Turn your phone off or put it on aeroplane mode to focus on reading the Qu’ran at least 1 hour a day. We've lost the true value of things like silence. We need to rediscover the mental energy needed to simply reflect. Swap your time scrolling on social media with other things even if it is watching a youtube video related to Islamic topics. Chances are you will be swooped by looking at wonderfully iconic photos of someone else's Iftar meal, their Ramadan crafts, their live Tarawih at home, their Tilawat or the Hadith they wrote. This is bound to make you feel more lonely, do not compare, they are not you. Ramadan is a great time to reflect and give ourselves some margin in life.
To reap the full benefits you can do cupping before the month starts I have written about this here.
Volunteer anywhere, preferably the mosque but if you can’t then any charity will be fine you’ll be earning more rewards.
If you’re unhappy about being alone now is the perfect time to request from Allah the best of companions with whom to share your struggle for in Jannah. If you don’t have a spouse to take you out for iftar dates, then Alhamdulillah! you have the freedom to immerse yourself in preparation for the most important date of your life during Layla Al Qadr– a meeting with your Creator. You’ll be so busy connecting with Him that inshaa Allah you’ll completely forget that you’re the only person in the room.
Make dua for those who are even more lonelier than you and sometimes not everyone has the privilege to fast due to health reasons.
Attend talks virtually or in person. Having an online community is a temporary substitute for new and born-Muslims and I appreciate it's not the same as a face-to-face conversation, but it's miles better than no conversation at all. Be mindful of the time difference if you are to arrange anything online.
I think that it's much easier to make small changes and efforts in Ramadan due to the blessings of the month, and the devil (Shaytaan) being unable to reach us. Alone doesn’t mean “lonely” let your heart be at ease for even the greatest prophets of Allah were tested with isolation. Be brave, turn to Allah, make this month the one where you come out better.
You can do it. insha’Allah.