Back in the days, the first day of puasa always came with a big suspense. Everyone in the family would gather in front of the TV, waiting for the official announcement. The guessing game started early in the evening, with everyone throwing their predictions.
“Esok puasa tak?”
“Rasa-rasa nampak anak bulan tak?”
“Kalau tak nampak, bleh makan lagi!”
And when the Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja finally announced that puasa starts the next day, the reactions would be mixed. Some cheered, some sighed, and the younger ones, well, they just wanted to eat for another day. Hahaha!
For pengumuman Raya, it was a different story. The moment it was confirmed, the whole house would go into full-on festive mode, with last-minute kuih raya preparations, house decorations, and of course, the excitement of wearing new baju raya.
But now, there’s no more waiting in front of the TV. Just a quick scroll on social media or a WhatsApp update, and you’ll know. The suspense is gone. With modern lunar calculations and falak system, the prediction is almost accurate, so we already have a rough idea of when we’ll start fasting. And this year, it falls today. Sunday.
A first day of fasting on a weekend is truly a blessing. When puasa starts on a weekday, it’s a whole different struggle. Traffic begins as early as 6AM, with people leaving their homes before Subuh to avoid the jam. And by evening, if you’re still in the office past 5.30PM, it’s better to have kurma and a bottle of water in your car because chances are, you’ll be breaking fast on the road.
Yesterday, I went to get some groceries, stocking up the fridge so that My All could prepare for Sahur. Usually, we keep iftar simple, often breaking fast at the mosque where food is provided. No need to worry about cooking, and right after that, straight to Terawikh. The best part? Moreh! That’s one thing I never skip. The atmosphere in the mosque is always different during Ramadhan, with people coming together, strengthening bonds, and embracing the true spirit of this holy month.
Every Ustaz will remind us to make the most out of Ramadhan, because we never know if we will live to see the next one. And that always hits differently. Each year, people come and go. This year, we are here, but next year? Only Allah knows.
So this time, I really want to make the best of it. I plan to finish my Quran, stay consistent with Terawikh, and improve my self-discipline. But let’s be real, Ramadhan is also the season of breaking fast invitations. Office iftar, client iftar, gatherings with counterparts, bosses, family, friends… the list goes on. I’ll have to choose wisely which ones to attend and which ones to politely decline.
On top of that, my classes are starting this month. But Alhamdulillah, the university announced that all classes will be online throughout Ramadhan. That’s a relief. Balancing fasting, work, ibadah, and study is already a challenge, so attending classes from home makes it much easier to manage.
Some people say, “Puasa jangan workout, nanti lembik!” but I actually plan to continue going to the gym, just with moderate exercise to maintain fitness and help with my weight loss journey. Because let’s be honest, once Raya comes, all that discipline goes out the window. Lemang, rendang, kuih raya, sup tulang, laksa Johor, nasi dagang.. Huhu. who can resist? Hahaha!
So far, the first day of Ramadhan feels great. There’s a certain calmness, a special barakah in the air. May Allah give us all the strength to stay consistent in our ibadah, to make this month meaningful, and to come out of it as better versions of ourselves.
How’s your first day of Ramadhan? Share your experience. Selamat berpuasa!
Photo context : Last year’s iftar at the National Mosque with My All and my in-laws was a beautiful experience, we gathered early, securing a spot, and waiting for the azan Maghrib in the peaceful atmosphere of the mosque. The provided food made everything easier, and after breaking fast, we prayed together before heading for Terawikh. This year, they plan to do the same, maybe at a different mosque, and I’m already looking forward to it. Iftar at the mosque with family always carries a special meaning, bringing a sense of unity and serenity that makes Ramadhan even more fulfilling.