Newlyweds share how their first Ramadan together deepens bonds, reshapes routines and strengthens faith
PETALING JAYA : As Muslims adjust their routines for sahur (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking of fast), Ramadan holds a profound significance for newlyweds navigating the holy month together for the first time.
For 27-year-old Nurul Haifaa Halim from Shah Alam, who has been married for three months, the experience is a shift from personal routine to shared responsibility.
“Before this, I would wake up alone or my parents would call me. Having a partner makes it more meaningful. Even through the sleepiness, there is a sense of gratitude and excitement to start the fast together,” she said.
Stepping into roles once handled by her mother, Nurul Haifaa now focuses on meal planning and her husband’s preferences. She noted that even small habits, like different sleeping patterns, have become part of a new rhythm.
“Most days, my husband is the first to rise as his previous night-shift work made him a natural night owl,” she added.
While the couple prioritises home-cooked meals for health and cost-saving, Ramadan bazaars would remain an occasional “saviour” on tiring days. Spiritually, they have adapted too – while Nurul Haifaa previously attended tarawih prayers at her local surau, the couple now prays at home to accommodate her husband’s recovery from a recent surgery.
Similarly, Nur Balqis Ameera Norismail, 27, from Sungai Petani, Kedah, feels the weight of her new role.
“I used to keep sahur simple with just water and dates. But my husband prefers rice, so we now wake up earlier to prepare a more filling meal.”
For Balqis, visiting the food bazaar occasionally feels like a “mini date”, although they have become more disciplined with their spending. We are less impulsive now. We think before we buy and try to cook more at home,” she said, adding that they aim to complete reciting the Quran together this month. I’d describe our first Ramadan as an experience of closeness.”
For those a little further along in their journey, the novelty remains.
Nur Nafisah Hamdan, 27, who is entering her third Ramadan with her husband, describes the experience as “surreal”.
“The difference is largely emotional. Breaking fast together is deeply bonding and even small talk during sahur becomes meaningful.”
Fasting together has also revealed new facets of their personalities.
“Sometimes one of us becomes very quiet due to low energy, while other times, one becomes more patient than expected,” Nafisah observed.
An avid follower of social media influencers, Nafisah enjoys experimenting with new recipes to avoid the high costs of food bazaars.
“You need at least RM50 at a bazaar. We try to refrain because we need to save for transportation to our hometown and duit raya for our families.”
Ultimately, Nafisah believes marriage adds a layer of spiritual motivation to the month.
“Serving your spouse with good intentions is an act of worship. It strengthens our ties and motivates us to do better,” she said.
