The much-awaited month of Ramadan is here again. As a special guest that makes its appearance annually, Muslim communities worldwide greet the month with deep gratitude and joy. It is a month whose blessings and rewards must be reaped to the fullest. Beyond fasting, a Muslim must utilise this month as a vehicle for transformation—both for the self and the family. 

This is because Ramadan is not merely a routine of abstaining from hunger and thirst from dawn to sunset. Rather, Ramadhan is a "madrasah" (school) of life that educate and train the human soul and body towards excellence. The goal of this sacred month must be to mould the individual character towards perfection (insan kamil) and to elevate feelings of sakinah (tranquillity), mawaddah (affection) and rahmah (mercy) within families. 

The impact of Ramadan: spiritual and physical transformation 

As a school that trains the soul to curb lowly desires and discipline the self, the most evident impact of Ramadan on an individual must be the ability to have greater self-control and stronger ability to resist things that we want. If for the past 11 months, we have succumbed as slaves to our desires—eating according to whim, speaking without a filter, and acting on emotion then this month, we enter the school of Ramadan to train our inner selves and our desires.

Ramadan also teaches us the value of time and the importance of discipline and self-management. Waking up for Sahur (the pre-dawn meal) in the early hours of the morning is a feat that only highly disciplined and motivated individuals can do. Due to the manifold rewards promised in Ramadan, individuals appreciate that time is gold and race to cram every minute with good deeds.  Psychologically, some say that if we repeat this routine for 30 days, we are aiding ourselves in habit formation. As such, someone who manages to incorporate Tarawih prayers and Quranic recitation in Ramadan despite their hectic lives would have found a hack to consistently become more organised and thus lead more balanced and calmer lives post-Ramadan. 

Download the Imsakiah calendar, discover events, Tarawih information, bubur distribution timings, free classes, videos, articles and more, here: go.gov.sg/ramadan2026 

For Muslim individuals, the ultimate goal of fasting is to increase Taqwa (God-consciousness). In explaining the purpose of fasting, Allah s.w.t. mentions in the Quran:  

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ 

"O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺. " 

(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183) 

Ramadan enables this God-consciousness because the act of fasting is a private act only between the individual and Allah s.w.t.

Unlike solat, fasting is an act that a believer does because he is constantly mindful of Allah's presence at every moment.  Hence, even when alone, with no one watching, a believer will not touch food or water because they are aware of Allah's supervision (Muraqabah). This awareness builds integrity. If we can be honest with ourselves during Ramadan, that same honesty will be carried into our work and daily lives. As such, the end goal of fasting in Ramadan is to mould a Muttaqin—a person who obeys Allah's commands and avoids His prohibitions.

Read: MuslimSG | The spiritual significance of Ramadan: Is it really about understanding how the poor feels? 

The mental and physical effects of fasting 

In this fast-paced world, stress and anxiety are common. Ramadan serves as a "reset button" for our mental health. Undoubtedly, our patience is tested and trained. Fasting teaches impulse control. When we can restrain our anger while hungry, we are actually building strong "patience muscles."

Ramadan is also a month for digital and spiritual detox. Many take the opportunity to reduce time on social media to focus on worship. When we leave what does not concern us, when we silence the fear of missing out, we are actually reducing mental clutter. This clears up space in the mind to think more deeply and more reflectively instead of being in a constant reactive mode. This is the characteristic of the ulul albab, people whom the Quran refers to as having the intellectual capacity to think, reflect and come up with creative solutions to solve the problems and challenges faced by the people of their day. In a time when many of us are satisfied to be mere consumers, it is high time to aspire to be trend-setters of positive, meaningful and impactful products and contributions.  

Furthermore, fasting fosters gratitude. By feeling the pangs of hunger, empathy arises for the poor and needy. This sense of gratitude is the best cure for spiritual ailments like envy and greed.

Read about the SalamSG Ramadan 2026 values (Gratitude, Graciousness and Giving) here.  

From a scientific and medical perspective, the shift in eating patterns brings various positive effects if done correctly. For example, when we fast, the digestive system gets a much-needed rest. Energy usually spent on digestion is diverted to autophagy—a process where body cells "clean" themselves by removing damaged or toxic components. 

Fasting also helps burn stored fat for energy. By abstaining from food, blood sugar levels drop. As insulin levels decrease, it facilitates fat burning through a process called lipolysis. Physically, the stomach capacity may shrink slightly, helping to control appetite even after Ramadan ends. 

The impact of Ramadan on the family institution

1. Reuniting the family unit  

A family is the basic unit of society. Ramadan has the power to reunite family bonds that may have grown distant due to busy work and school schedules throughout the year. 

If in other months family members often eat separately, Ramadan unites them at one table. The iftar (breaking of fast) session is a time when all members gather. Heads of families should use this time to facilitate short conversations and laughter to deposit positive emotions into their families’ emotional banks and memories.  

Read: MuslimSG | Luqman's 5 gems of advice to his son from Surah Luqman

2. Building character 

Even the cooperation and teamwork involved in preparing the meal or cleaning the table after iftar and sahur can inculcate a sense of responsibility and polish social skills. Children learn to contribute, while parents lead through service. In summary, Ramadan builds solid family ties and trains leadership and stewardship within the household. 

3. Strengthening spiritual bonds 

Worshipping together—such as performing Tarawih prayers at the mosque or at home—adds a spiritual dimension to the family. When a father leads as the imam and the children follow, it strengthens respect and love. Reciting the Quran together brings divine light into the home, making it a peaceful place full of mercy. Tadabbur or reflection of the Quran with the family can add a dimension of extending the power of the Quran beyond mere recital towards making the Quranic teachings a vital part of family life. 

To find out your nearest Tarawih spot, head to: Maps.gov.sg/ramadan2026

4. Practical life lessons 

Ramadan is also a golden opportunity for "practical parenting." Children learn the meaning of hardship; they realise that not everything in life is obtained instantly. They learn the value of waiting and effort. 

Furthermore, this holy month is also characterised by charity and generosity. In a hadith, the generosity of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. during Ramadan was described as being faster and more widespread than a "blowing wind." Through Zakat Fitrah, children witness how wealth is shared to help those in need, planting the seeds of generosity from a young age. 

Leaving Ramadan

Ramadan, which has just arrived, will eventually depart after its month-long visit. Often, the effects of Ramadan vanish as soon as Syawal (Hari Raya Aidilfitri) begins. The challenge after Ramadan is Istiqamah (consistency) and maintaining momentum.

To ensure the impact lasts, sincere intention and mindfulness are essential. Transformation must be rooted in a desire to change for the sake of Allah, not just following a seasonal trend. We can maintain momentum by continuing small but consistent acts of worship—for example, if we read one Juz of the Quran daily in Ramadan, perhaps we can maintain at least one page a day afterward.

Ramadan is a gift of infinite mercy. For the individual, it is a process of soul purification and discipline. For the family, it is a bridge that connects hearts, forgives past mistakes, and builds a shared vision for the hereafter.

Its impacts should not end with the disappearance of the Ramadan crescent but should shine through our character all year round. If we emerge from the "Madrasah of Ramadan" as more patient, more generous individuals, and as more harmonious families, then that is a sign that our fasting has been accepted and has achieved its goal. In sya Allah.

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