Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan through prayer, fasting and abstinence. This period is also about strengthening family and community bonds, bringing people closer together, and sharing blessings with those who are less fortunate.
Today, thanks to technological advances, there are several handy apps available to help Muslims during the holy month. Here is a selection.
1. Expand your menu
Looking for something different and exciting for iftar and sahur? Get in touch with your inner chef with recipe apps for delicious local cuisine such as Kuali, Malaysian Food Recipes, and Seminit Resepi.
These will provide you with extended menu options to last you well into Raya and beyond.
2. Healthy eating
Ramadan, of course, is an excellent time to practise healthy eating. Apps such as MyFitnessPal help you track the number of calories you consume to tell if you are over- or undereating during this time.
MyFitnessPal offers you better insight into your eating habits, and whether you need to change your diet to include more from certain food groups.
Remember: moderation and self-restraint, especially when it comes to food, are key during this holy month.
3. Get food delivered
Not a fan of home cooking, or in a rush to break your fast? Whether you’re looking for local delicacies such as murtabak and ayam percik, a spicy kick from tom yam goong, or one-bite wonders like fresh sashimi and sushi, everything is available with just a tap of your finger.
Check out the many delivery options including GrabFood, Foodpanda, ShopeeFood, airasia food, and Beep. Alternatively, order directly from an eatery via its website. The options are endless.
4. Shop online
Looking for an on-point outfit for Raya, or need to spruce up your home for your open house? With the many e-commerce apps available, you no longer have to make the journey to a mall to get your shopping done.
Apps such as Zalora, Lazada, Shopee, and FashionValet offer a host of clothing and household items that you can browse through in the comfort of your own home.
5. Keep young ones entertained
Provide your little ones with great edutainment this holy month with the Muslim Tales app, which narrates exciting stories about the culture and history of Islam and Quran-inspired stories.
It features eye-catching animation, engaging characters, and interactive games that will entertain your child and teach them the lessons and values of Islam. Parents, check it out!
6. Sleep well
Apps like SleepScore are great for assessing your sleep cycles by tracking when you fall asleep and when you wake up.
This software uses the sensors in your phone to track your movement and the noises you make at night to determine the quality of your sleep, which is especially useful during Ramadan when you have to wake before dawn for sahur.
Find out whether you are getting adequate rest, or if you should be going to bed earlier.
7. An app for Muslims
With over 120 million downloads, Muslim Pro is a lifestyle app that provides exact prayer timings based on location, as well as features such as a qibla compass, zakat calculator, and fasting and prayer tracker.
The Khatam Quran feature enables you to reflect on Quran verses with your reading group, while articles, cooking videos, exercise tips and more offer a well-rounded Ramadan.
This article was written by Yazid Ahmad from the mobile app Muslim Pro.