Ramadhan 2025 – A Month of Reflection & Joy

Ramadhan is, without a doubt, THE most rewarding month of the year! The way we experience it changes as we grow. As a kid, I couldn’t wait for Hari Raya—the thrill of collecting duit raya, the excitement of playing fireworks at night, and the joy of heading back to kampung to reunite with my cousins. Those golden days are now cherished memories, but with age, I’ve found new reasons to love this special month. Fasting sharpens my mind, strengthens my senses, and gives my body a well-deserved detox.

These days, my enjoyment of Ramadhan comes in different forms. I’ve embraced mindful eating, keeping my meals light to maximize the benefits of fasting. I started the month at 74kg and gradually shed the excess water weight to hit 70kg by the end—a great springboard for a sustained fitness journey.

One of the biggest blessings this year was staying healthy throughout the month! Ramadhan 2025 came with scorching heat, dusty days, and occasional heavy downpours. Yet, despite the challenges, my team and I powered through and successfully coordinated the delivery of 85 trucks during the fasting month—an achievement I’m truly proud of!

Now, let’s talk Raya preparations! This year’s theme? Burgundy. Looking stylish has never been my forte, so as always, I left the color decision to Dahlia. Shopping for Raya has evolved over the years; gone are the days of endless browsing. Now, I prefer a quick, no-nonsense approach—so much so that I grabbed my and Haziq’s baju Melayu at the very first stall! But I still enjoyed the festive buzz of walking through the mall with my family, soaking in the Raya spirit.

One of my proudest accomplishments this Ramadhan was my near-perfect Tarawih record! I managed to attend 96.7% of prayers—only missing one night due to an urgent mission involving Dahlia’s phone. But overall, it was a personal victory, and I’m grateful for the discipline I maintained.

As for the kids, this year marked a milestone for them. Haziq and Darwisyah successfully completed the full 30 days of fasting! Waking them up for sahur was a daily adventure, but we made it through together. Dini, on the other hand, had a modified fasting experience—abstaining from food and drinks during school hours but understandably needing rest in the evenings. She humorously called her buka puasa her “sahur.”

Another highlight? We managed to give our home a proper deep clean! This year, we tackled everything—the balcony, bedrooms, air-cond filters, fans, drapes, living room, and study. But the real MVP was Dahlia, who took it a step further and finally painted our external walls! It had been on her wish list for two years, and this time, nothing stopped her. On the last day of fasting, Haziq and I pitched in to finish the job, making it a true family effort.

As the years pass, I’ve come to appreciate the quiet beauty of Ramadhan. It’s about balance—staying in control physically and emotionally, without draining oneself. And without a doubt, this has been the best Ramadhan I’ve had in the last five years.

Selamat Hari Raya! Maaf Zahir & Batin.

Dari Hasnol dan Dahlia sekeluarga.