It is one of our greatest tests as new Muslims; one that strikes at the very core of our beings, something that hits deep inside, forcing us to push back against our deepest desires and the traditions of our childhood. If you are reading this thinking that I am going to mention shirk (associating partners with Allah) or modesty, this is not the case. I am referring to the struggle with food and drink choices one faces as a convert to Islam.

Recognising and embracing the fact that Allah is One and has no partners is instinctual and is something that resonates internally in our hearts and minds. Following Islamic rulings on what is halal (permissible) and haram (impermissible), particularly when it comes to food, is a much greater challenge. It is something that we learn to do, over time and in varying degrees.

Ramadan. A period of sacrifice, endurance, and spirituality. A month of abstinence from all that is forbidden, and engagement in all that is in accordance with His will. A momentous period of spiritual training from which the devoted follower emerges as a transformed individual, with a character chiselled to perfection. Upon serious contemplation, can we truly state that we have lived this month to its fullest potential? Have the passing fasts of this holy period clarified our vision of righteousness, or have they merely amplified our excitement at the prospect of the boisterous celebrations that are to follow?