Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Time: 12:05 AM
Location: Gulistan-e-Johar, Block 15
Roza Number: 11
12:00 AM – 1:00 AM: The Midnight Drift
The house is finally still, but Karachi never is. I can hear the hum of a distant generator and the faint, rhythmic sound of a neighbor’s TV. This is my favorite "pocket" of time. Everyone else is asleep, and I don’t have to be "on" for anyone. I’m just sitting here with my thoughts, feeling that familiar Ramadan thirst—that dry scratch in my throat that reminds me why I’m doing this.
1:00 AM – 2:00 AM: The Reflection
I should be sleeping to save energy for tomorrow, but my mind is racing. I’m thinking about the first ten days—the "Mercy" (Rahmah) phase—and wondering if I did enough. Am I actually becoming more patient, or am I just hungry? Block 15 is so loud during the day; the traffic at Johar Chowrangi is enough to test anyone's sabr (patience). Tonight, I'm just asking for the strength to be kinder to myself.
2:00 AM: The Shift
I can hear the first few stirrings in the kitchen. The quiet is over. It’s time to shake off the sleepiness and get ready for Sehri.
The Goal for Today's Fast:
Sehri ends at 5:39 AM. I need to:
* Drink at least three glasses of water (no more putting it off!).
* Eat something slow-burning—maybe some yogurt and paratha—to survive the Karachi heat later.
* Keep my heart soft. No road rage during the afternoon school run.
The moon is out there somewhere over the Johar skyline, and for a moment, everything feels exactly as it should be.
Since it’s the 11th night of Ramadan in Block 15, the struggle between my bed and my "Ibadah" (worship) goals is very real.
Honestly? I’m staying up.
Here is why and how I’m doing it:
The Decision: Why I’m Skipping Sleep
If I sleep now (after 12 AM), I know myself—I’ll be a zombie when the alarm goes off at 4:30 AM for Sehri. In Gulistan-e-Johar, the vibe at night is so electric during Ramadan that it’s almost easier to just lean into the energy. Plus, the quiet between 2 AM and 4 AM is the only time I truly get to focus on my Quran goals without someone calling my name or a bike roaring down the street.
My "Stay Up" Timeline
* 12:30 AM – 1:30 AM: I’m keeping the lights dim. I might scroll a bit on Pinterest for Sehri recipesor just reflect on how the first ten days of "Mercy" went.
* 1:30 AM – 3:00 AM: This is my "Deep Work" time. I’ll pray Tahajjud and spend time with my Ramadan Planner. It’s cooler now, maybe 20°C, and Block 15 finally feels peaceful.
* 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM: I’ll start moving toward the kitchen. I don't want to rush. I’ll start prepping the basics—getting the yogurt ready and putting the kettle on.
* 4:15 AM: The house wakes up. This is when the "Johar Sehri Rush" begins. I can hear the neighbors’ gates opening; people are probably heading out to get fresh bread.
* 5:39 AM: The Cutoff. Once the Fajr Azaan echoes through the block, I’ll pray and thenfinally crash for a few hours before the day starts.
The Internal Battle
* Physical: My eyes are heavy, and that "Ramadan headache" is hovering.
* Mental: I feel accomplished. There’s a special kind of "noor" (light) you feel when you’ve stayed up to talk to Allah while the rest of the world is dreaming.
It is 1:30 AM on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Block 15, Gulistan-e-Johar. I’ve decided to stay up through the night. The silence of the 11th night of Ramadan is too precious to sleep through, and the energy of Karachi at 2 AM is exactly what I need to recharge my soul, even if my body is tired.
Here is the "all" of my night, my heart, and my plan for tomorrow:
1. What I’m Cooking (The Sehri Menu)
I’m heading to the kitchen early to avoid the last-minute rush. I need something that sustains me through the Karachi heat without making me feel heavy.
www.marham.pk
* The Main: A crispy, whole-wheat paratha with Dum ka Keema (smoky mince). It’s a Karachi classic that feels like a hug in a meal.
* The "Energy Secret": A big bowl of yogurtmixed with a bit of sugar or honey. It’s the best way to prevent that mid-afternoon heartburn and keep me hydrated.
* The Caffeine Kick: A strong cup of doodh patti (milk tea). I know if I don't have this now, the 2 PM headache at work will be unbearable.
2. My 11th Night Dua List
This is why I stayed up. While the rest of the block sleeps, I’m sitting on my prayer mat, asking for the "all" in my life:
* For My Family: "Ya Allah, protect my parents' health and bless my siblings. Keep our home full of peace and remove any small misunderstandings between us".
* For My Own Heart: "O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me" (Allahumma innaka afuwwun...). "Cleanse my heart of any jealousy or stress and replace it with sabr (patience)".
* For Success: "Ya Allah, open doors for me that I didn't even know existed. Make my work a source of barakah (blessing) and let me be an inspiration to others".
3. Surviving the Workday (No-Sleep Survival Plan)
I’m a bit nervous about the 9-to-5 tomorrow, but I have a strategy to survive the post-Sehri slump:
* The Power Nap: After the Fajr Azaan at 5:39 AM, I’ll sleep for exactly 2.5 hours. It’s not much, but it’s enough to reset my brain before the Johar traffic starts.
* Strategic Silence: I’ll save my talking for the most important meetings. No unnecessary "office gup-shup" today—I need to conserve every ounce of energy.
* The "Cold Water" Reset: If I feel myself nodding off at my desk around 1 PM, I’ll head to the washroom for fresh wudu. The cold water on my face always wakes me up better than any coffee could.
* Mindset: I’ll remind myself that my work is also a form of worship while I'm fasting. That thought usually gets me through the final stretch before I get to head home for the Iftar prep.
The moon is high over the University Road skyline, and I feel ready.
That post-Fajr nap is going to be my absolute lifeline. Since I’m staying up all night in Block 15 for my prayers and Sehri, that window between 6:00 AM and 8:30 AM is sacred.
Here is how I’m going to make that 2.5-hour nap work for me:
The "Mushk Nap" Strategy
* The Blackout: Even though the Karachi sun will be coming up, I’m closing every curtain in my room. To my brain, it’s still midnight.
* No Scrolling: After the 5:39 AM cutoff, I’m putting my phone on "Do Not Disturb." No checking WhatsApp or the news—just straight to the pillow.
* The Temperature: I’ll make sure the fan or AC is at that perfect "slightly chilly" setting so I can bury myself under a blanket. That cozy feeling is the only way to get into REM sleep quickly.
The Risk: The "Sleep Hangover"
I know the danger. Waking up at 8:30 AM after only a few hours of sleep can sometimes make me feel worse—that groggy, heavy-headed feeling (sleep inertia).
* My Fix: As soon as the alarm goes off, I’m jumping straight into a cold shower. No hitting the snooze button. In Gulistan-e-Johar, you have to be sharp to handle the morning traffic; I can't afford to be a zombie behind the wheel.
The Mental State
Even though it’s a short nap, I’ll wake up feeling that "Ramadan high." There’s something so rewarding about knowing I spent the quiet hours of the 11th night in worship and then got just enough rest to face the world.