How Saudis are balancing work and spirituality during Ramadan

RIYADH: While working hours are shorter, to-do lists are longer during Ramadan —which includes family obligations, additional prayers and enticing cultural events — so it can be difficult to find a steady footing during the holy month.

Several people spoke to Arab News about their experiences and approach to balancing work and spirituality.

Raghad Altamimi, a creative technologist, said the first few days were “a mix of spirituality, calmness, and quality time with family and friends.

“At the same time, it has been quite experimental with finding the right routine that is balanced.”

Altamimi has adjusted her daily routine to waking up an hour before the obligatory morning Fajr prayer.

This is to perform the non-obligatory Qiyam Al-Layl prayer (literally meaning “stand during the night”), enjoy an iced orange juice, and get ready for the day.

“Caffeinated by matcha, I use this time to read, journal or catch up on courses before heading to work around 10 a.m.,” she said.

After work, she prepares for iftar with the family.

They have had a tradition of taking a 10-minute walk together in the neighborhood after breaking their fast, then heading to the gym before calling it a day at around 9 p.m.

“People find my routine unusual, but I’m willing to risk it for my early morning orange juice and matcha intake. However, I often take random naps throughout the day, sometimes in the morning, other times after coming back from work.”

During the month, she plans to delve deeper into religious understandings, like the tafseer, or explanation, of verses of the Qur’an.

“My goal is to read a juz’un (chapter) daily, but with real focus, absorbing its meaning rather than reading just for the sake of finishing.”

Beyond that, she is also keen on refining her behavior, practicing more charitable and kind acts, and hopes to carry this beyond the month.

“The biggest challenge is energy management. By the time you’re home from work, exhaustion kicks in, making it difficult to stay fully engaged in spiritual practices.

“Time is tight, and it’s easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours to balance both commitments.

“The key is to structure your day around what truly matters to you. For me, that’s my early morning routine … For someone else, it might be late-night gatherings or extended prayers.

“There’s no right or wrong schedule but making time for spirituality — no matter how small — can completely transform the way you experience Ramadan. It’s a month of intention, so whatever you do, do it with meaning.”

But some have a more rigid schedule than others. Ali Saqqaf, a nurse, works 12-hour shifts, and does not benefit from the reduction to six hours for other workers.

“Now I’m doing day shifts so I’m getting up at 6 a.m. to be at work at 7 a.m. sharp, working the majority of the time until it’s iftar time.

“I have a mini meal at work then go back home around 8 p.m. There’s little time for the family and myself and then a bigger meal before going to bed — no sahoor for me because if I get back up, I’m not sleeping again.”

His goal is to read the entire Qur’an this month, so he tries to dedicate downtime during his shifts for this purpose.

Sara Teymoor, an entrepreneur and founder of pre-owned fashion company AMUSED, also starts her day at 6 a.m., and her time primarily revolves around her son.

After taking him to school in the morning she completes her own work until it is time to pick him up around 1 p.m.

She fits in more of her work during his afternoon nap, after which she spends more time with him, or exercises. She tries to work out three or four times a week, with a mix of strength training and cardio.

After iftar, and putting him to bed around 8 p.m., she catches up on her prayers and reading, and goes to bed at 10 p.m.

“The goals I’m focusing on this year (are) definitely to make sure that I’m praying on time and looking after my mind and body.

“I haven’t always done that during Ramadan, but this year it’s really important for me since I’ve got so much on my plate: running a business, having a toddler, (managing) the house, family and friends obligations,” she said.

Her advice is to prioritize what is important in life, and she believes that spirituality should be high on everyone’s list — regardless of what that looks like.

“I think since I had a son, I’ve struggled with the feeling that I’ve not been doing enough spiritually, but I also know that raising a child is spiritual work in itself, and being a mom is definitely a spiritual experience and journey.

“I know that God is so understanding and forgiving and doesn’t want to make hardships for us.

“If anything, he wants to give us ease in our lives, so I’m constantly reminded of how merciful he is. That helps me be a lot less hard on myself,” Teymoor said.

Mohammad Al-Lahham, a project manager at JJG, said that fasting becomes easier after the first few days. Like many, he tries to keep a minimal schedule during Ramadan.

After work, he reads until Maghrib and then spends some time in his home recording studio.

“I do happen to be invited a lot for iftar, for social events, book clubs, (by) musicians and other communities here, so day in, day out, I do oblige and go to have iftar with them,” he said.

He hopes to discipline himself more, physically and mentally. “It helps me control my anger, or frustration, and make my words spoken with much control and wisdom, instead of spewing them (out) and hurting those around me.”

“I believe the act of worship (can) raise my level of spirituality, where I am less bothered with earthly problems, and materials.”

His advice to others is to practice discipline as well, which he believes can be achieved through fasting.