Usual excuses during Ramadan.

Salam,

1st Ramadhan this year is just around the corner. I don't really have so much preparations for Ramadan this year except for some plans. The plan to be more patient towards students and my daughters, perform more good deeds or in short to be a better person.

Teaching during Ramadan is normally challenging due to excuses given by students. Most of them are young (late teens and early 20's) students and act like little children especially during Ramadan. Sometimes I feel so ashamed of them because when they give me all sorts of excuses during Ramadan, it shows that they are "weak Muslims". They don't really embrace the true meaning of fasting.

Here are some of the usual excuses given by them:

• We're tired and sleepy.
• We can't do homework at night because we need to go to the mosque.
• We can't think and do too much exercises in class.
• We need some break. (after only 30 minutes of lesson)
• We can't talk so much because we'll feel thirsty.

And here are what I normally say to them when they use those excuses:

• You need to be patience when you are fasting.
• When you are fasting, it doesn't mean that you should stop doing other activities.
• Fasting should teach you how to be mentally stronger.
• Prophet Muhammad PBUH went to fight in a war during Ramadhan.
• Learning is one of the essential thing that shouldn't be stopped just because you are fasting.
• How can you be a strong Muslim if you can't fight your own negative attitude and thoughts?

I know that as a teacher, I have to teach them beyond the lesson. This kind of moral lesson should be included just to remind them (and also myself) about the true meaning of fasting.

Happy fasting to everyone and hopefully this Ramadhan is going to be a good one.