Ramadan Reflections — Bye-Bye Smoking

I quit smoking on March 14th, 1994, which coincidentally fell on Eid Al-Fitr, a day of celebration and renewal.

Before that, I had attempted to quit multiple times, but each effort ended in failure. However, two months before the birth of my first child, I found myself deep in thought, reflecting on the kind of father I wanted to be.

"Do you want your son to smoke?" I asked myself. The answer was immediate and resolute: "Of course not!"
"But how can you expect him to avoid smoking if you’re doing it yourself?"

This realization struck me hard. I knew I had to quit—not just for myself, but for my child. Determined, I decided to gradually reduce my smoking habit. I started by limiting myself to 10 cigarettes a day. Over time, I adjusted to this new routine, and it became manageable.

Then, on February 12th, 1994, Ramadan began. During this holy month, I would break my fast at Iftar and smoke, still aiming to stick to my 10-cigarette limit. But one evening, as I lit a cigarette, I paused and reflected:

"I’ve been smoking 10 cigarettes over 24 hours, but now I’m fasting for most of the day. Do I really need that many?" I realized I didn’t. So, I made a new resolution: during Ramadan, I would smoke only 3 cigarettes a day.

To my surprise, I adapted easily to this reduced number. By the time Ramadan ended on March 13th, 1994, I had grown accustomed to smoking just 3 cigarettes daily. The next morning, I woke up to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, a day symbolizing joy and new beginnings. As I reflected on the significance of the day, I made a solemn promise to myself:

"Today is Eid—a day of celebration. What better way to honor it than by quitting smoking for good?"

And so, I did. From that day forward, I haven’t touched a single cigarette. I’ve even avoided holding one, fearing it might reignite the habit. It’s a reminder never to underestimate the power of temptation.

On April 2nd, 1994, my eldest son, Majid, was born. It was a day of immense joy and fulfillment—a new chapter in my life, made even sweeter by the freedom I had gained from smoking.