I remember the first time I ever fasted a whole day (till sunset) in Ramadan.  How proud and happy I was.  I think I was 10.  My mom made me a special treat, baklawa / baklava that day, yumm!

There's something rather bonding about Ramadan.  Everyone around u is fasting.  Everyone is trying his / her very best to be and do good.  A car caught up in a rush hour, driver hungry and irritated, would yell out "I AM FASTING!!" instead of the usual hurl of insults and swear words.

As a child, I was bullied alot at school.  Ramadan, for me, was always a chance to get to know my bully mates on a better level.  The meanness was magically taken out of them, and instead I was able to have good decent conversation with them for the first time.  Sad thing, though, it was always back to normal after that.

And the strange and weird thing I remember as a child, I would be home alone when I got back from school because my parents would be still at work, and the fridge would have the tempting soft drinks, ice cream in the fridge, anything my heart desires...but still, as though by heavenly intervention, I would abstain from them despite knowing that no one would see me.  That coming from a child who found no shame in lying to my parents sometimes, was quite unusual.  It was as if in my childlike instinct, I wanted this one thing to be pure, flawless and totally for God alone. 

So, Ramadan tips for first-timers, hmmm...

1.  Don't expect it to be easy.  30 consecutive days is tough.  But with Allah's help, it will become the best 30 days of ur life. 

2.  Remember: Ramadan is not about abstaining from food and drink till sunset only and being compassionate towards the poor, it is also about purifying ur heart from sinful thoughts and actions and zooming out of this world and seeing the real meaning behind it. Don't let ur fasting be restricted to thurst and hunger.  Rise above that.

3.  Enjoy the moments of fasting by getting to know ur self, ur weaknesses and strengths.  Ramadan is a real eye opener as the devils are all locked up and u get to know just exactly how sinful ur soul is.  Can't blame it on the devil this time.  If u find urself still thinking of doing something wrong, then try to meditate on that and how to cure ur heart from this. 

4. Do good to everyone.  Begin that holy month by forgiving all those who have wronged u.  Call, email or visit those who have hurt you.  Wish them a happy and blessed Ramadan.  We cannot expect God's forgiveness if we don't exhibit it ourselves. 

5.  Try to get as many loved ones as u can gathered for "iftar" every day.  It is a chance to reconnect with family and friends.

6.  Don't forget to include the poor and less fortunate in ur daly meal plans.

7. Take ur friends and family to Taraweeh prayers every day.  Together u will pray for each other and for all.  It will be a memorable experience inshaalah.

8.  Make it a plan to touch somebody's life everyday.  Start planning from now, whom u can help and how.

9.  Finally, compete with urself to bring out the very best in you.  Allah is watching.  Make Him happy. By doing that, the best feeling in the world will enter ur heart and never leave. U have entered Heaven on Earth, inshallah till u make it to Heaven.

I guess that's all I got to say.

May ALLAH accept and rewards us all.

Very nice words sister Tru.

Well, as for me, I proudly say this is my first ever Ramadan, since I reverted to Islam 1 month ago. I am very excited to witness and feel my first ever Ramadan. I successfully fasted on the day of 27 Rajab with the occasion of Al Isra and Al Miraj, one of my favourite miracles. Besides it fell on a Monday, the day when Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was born and when he used to keep fast. So, based on these 2 reasons, plus the idea to experience a full day of fasting, I decided to make it a special day of fasting. Alhamdulillah it all went well, and I dind't find it difficult. I know 30 days of fasting is not like 1 day of fasting, but insha'Allah I will have strengh to go through it till the end and all my pasts sins to be forgiven.

What will help me going through my first Ramadan, is the idea I have to 'make it up' for not seeing the Right Path earlier, but alhamdullilah better now than never. I wish Allah will forgive any pasts sins I may have, big or small, and keep me on the Right Path.

What will help me going through my first Ramadan is the support of a wonderful husband.

What will help me going through my first Ramadan is my inner power and desire to defend any whisppers of Shaytan and glorify my own Lord, Allah All Mighty. On my day of fasting for Al Isra and Al Miraj I kept praising Allah while going around the house, and this took my mind away from food and drink. I also recommed for first-timers to read interesting stories of the Prophets; you will be absorbed by the stories for a long time...

Maybe another good piece of advice is that Ramadan is not about abstaining from food and drink and then eat and drink as for 3 persons. Try to be moderate in everything, eat normaly during evening and night, dress modestly and most important feel modestly in your heart. Try not to think of sexual desires, try not to lose your temper, try to forgive easily and try to find your inner faith.

It's a time to be nice to all kids of people and I also think to try to be nice to animals; stray dogs, cats, anything, because after all, there are all creations of Allah.

I strongly believe I have the strengh to go through my first Ramadan. I have 'discovered' my true faith that was missing. I was a Christian before and there were days when I was thinking to fast just because it was a day of fasting, something related to Christmas but I never knew exactly what!! But once I felt the smell of wonderful sponge-cake, I decided to scrap the idea of fasting and postponing for the next day!!! This meant I was not true in my heart, I didn't have the strong belief. But now that I find the Right Path ESPECIALLY in my heart, insha'Allah nothing will stop me fasting for the Holy month.

Ramadan Kareem to everyone and have faith!

May Allah bless us all....

Bismillah arRahman arRahiim

As salam aleikum wa rahmatuh Allahi wa barakatuh.

Please no more a only child to cry

Please no more a only child suffer for hunger

Please no more a only child for adoption

Please no more.

Please. Amiin. Ashii Isa.

Alhamdulillah Rabb la'lamina

Assalaamua alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

This is not my first Ramadan - it is my fourth.  However, it is my first Ramadan in England (I have been in the Arabian Gulf for 10 years).  In the Gulf we are supported by the Islamic state and by fellow Muslims in our fasting.  I am concerned about where I will find the support I need in the UK.   In the workplace there is no place to pray or sit quietly contemplating Allah and all his miracles.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Dear sister, You're so right that the people and the environment around us do help set the mood for Ramadan.  It's wonderful to be around people who are fasting too.  I've experinced Ramadan in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan and the UK.  The best one was undoubtedly in Makkah.  But wherever you are, Ramadan is Ramadan! The place might not be very blessed but the time of the year sure is!  You can always make silent dhikr even in the workplace.  Utilize lunch and coffee breaks to read the Quran.  Try your best to attend the Taraweeh prayer and to make use of the blessed last third of the night and right after Fajr time in Tahajjud, prayer, dua and recitation of the Quran. Smile more and be more cheerful.  Don't let your fasting and non-fasting days be alike.  And don't let your work or anything else make you miss the benefits of the wonderful month.  Try and unclutter your schedule to make more time for your spiritual self. 

And you know what? I'm saing all this to myself as much as to you.  I was planning to spend Ramadan in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.  But something urgent has cropped up and it seems I'll have to spend Ramadan and Eid in Pakistan instead : (

Salam alaikum wa rahmatullah.