Advice for my first Ramadan?
Try not to argue or talk a lot, because swearing, insulting, gossiping, all will break your fast. And obviously you will feel really hungry during the day, some people just sleep and wake up when the sun sets, but actually when you are awake, feeling the hunger, and praying (reading Quraan, making dua, etc.) your reward is better.
What are some tips/advice for those fasting in Ramadan?
My biggest advice:Drink a lot in the morning - I don't miss the food as much as I miss the water. So the biggest thing I have found is to drink a lot and eat food that has a lot of juice in it (oranges, apples, etc) in the morning.Try to stay busy or sleeping - while you are busy or sleeping, you are not thinking about eating or drinking.Don't try dieting - I see a lot of questions about dieting or just starting working out during Ramadan, I highly recommend against doing this. If you are really into dieting, you are already taking in less calories (assuming you don't gorge pre-fajr or iftar), so dieting is a non-issue, just make sure you are getting enough nutrients. And starting working out is a definite no, if you are working out correctly you will sweat, and sweating will make fasting harder, if not impossible (dehydration). So please, if you do not know what you are doing do not try this!Don't gorge at iftar - you will be in pain, and you will look uncivilized.Read Qur'an - We constantly focus on the physical aspects of Ramadan, but that is only half of it. The not eating is supposed to help you grow closer to your deen and be able to empathize better. So this is the ideal time to take Allah(SWT) instruction better.Do Better! - It doesn't have to be anything big like achieving world peace; maybe you are not praying all each salat, maybe you haven't made dua' in a while. Ramadan is the time to do better so at least try, Allah (SWT) promises that every effort and intention (for good) will be rewarded, so you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
What is your advice on working in the month of Ramadan in a non-Muslim work environment?
Gratitude and DuaDear AnonymousRamadan fasts are obligatory upon the believers. There is really no real excuse other than serious illness or long travel with hardships for missing a fastThe penalty for missing an obligatory fast is continuous fasting for 60 days! Really impossible, if you ask meI have observed Ramadan in Europe, Singapore and USA. I have always found very supportive non-Muslims around me. Often, they would make excuse if they wanted to eat knowing that I was fastingRamadan is a time for cleansing one’s soul. Here is my advice:Observe your fasts diligently and steadfastlyTake nutritious food at suhoor like dates, dried fruits, good quality protein and plenty of fluidsLet you co-workers know that you are fasting, not by being a grouch:< but by bringing them a treat from your suhoor or iftar. I used to share some delicacy with my neighbors and friends or tell them stories of Ramadan in my home countryMake sure to plan your Eid well in advance. Use your time wisely to cook and to shop and pray while working full timeI made it a point to never use my fast as an excuse to leave work or work less. Battle of Bad’r was fought in scorching desert heat of Madinah during Ramadan. Prophet, SAW and all the 313 companions were fasting. They fought against 1000 disbelievers and won the battle. This fact keeps me going through all hardships in RamadanUse your work breaks to pray and read Quran. I have always had supportive co-workers and some even offered to cover for me while I prayed but I always said “Bundle of thanks! I got it!”Ramadan is to “WORK FOR PLEASING ALLAH” and HE is most pleased with a hard working and honest believerPeace!
Ramadan : How to start a new life?
I was Atheist slash Cultural Muslim, and now I'm only Cultural Muslim. So, what should I do next? As I don't want to go too hard on myself. LOL Any suggestions? Thanks.
Any tips on how to lose 10-20 pounds in ramadan?
Just so you know, whatever diet you go on, you will have to continue doing it after ramadan as well to keep off the weight because it will come right back once you stop. It is unhealthy to loose that much weight in a month - you should aim for at least 2 pounds a week. Heres what you can do without ruining your body: eat normal meals concentrating on proteins first and whole grains second. Eliminate as much fat as you can from your meal. Do not eat until you are full, but until you are almost full. Have a salad with your iftar meal and drink a glass of water before and after your iftar meal. Have a spiritual ramadan. :)
Can anyone give me any advice on how to cope with fasting for the first time through the month of Ramadan?
There is nothing to cope with… Trust me on this. Try it right now, don’t eat and drink anything for like 6 hours. You will have a hard time. Then try fasting during daylight hours in ramadan and you will wonder what all the fuss is about. There is a difference between satisfying your own desires and satisfying Allah’s commands. You will see that satisfying Allah’s commands may sound daunting when you read about it, is actually quite easy.When I moved to Pakistan from the US, the scariest thing in the world for me was fasting in ramadan. It will be 114 degrees here on the first fast, with an energy crisis, you are also not guaranteed the privilege of sitting in an air conditioned room during your fast. You know what, I not only didn't feel anything during my fasts, but I took up jogging as well. Imagine jogging in the summer heat at 110+ weather. I love it!!Oh by the way, I do take some aspirin during the first few days of fasting just in case I do get a headache. I hate headaches. Also, chia seeds, and yogurt before commencing the fast. That is my secret recipe.
Ramadan: products containing......?
Walaiykumus salaam, What I would advise you to do ukhti inshallah, is to either ask someone knowledgable and trustworthy or just leave it. May Allah help you. Salaam