Tips on Fasting in Ramadan

N00B

Assalumu Alaikum People, bravo

This will be my first time fasting in Ramadan full time (I fasted for few days when I was a small kid) and I would like to know some helpful tips on fasting.
-Some ways to avoid dehydrating? (I live in the super hot and humid place)
-Any type of food that is suitable for fasting?
-Any tips on waking up early morning? (Alarm clock is totally useless for me)
-Last of all, some ways to have a spirit in Ramadan season.

Yeah that's pretty much I want to know

clashncruz

Assalamu alaykum,

Here are a few answers to help you with Ramadan. I know the fast starts tomorrow, but hopefully you will see this in time.

To avoid dehydrating I recommend drinking about a half gallon of water between night-time and early morning breakfast. You can mix Emergen-C, or some other type of vitamin mix in your water to make it easier to drink that quantity, and to sure up any nutrients that your are low on. Throughout Ramadan as your body accustoms to the fast, you will not be as thirsty or hungry during the day. Your cravings for food and water will diminish and begin later in the day. AlhamduliAllah!
On waking up early. A couple things that can help. A little late to start now, unfortunately, but you can start practicing waking up early before Ramadan begins, so your body accustoms to that amount of sleep. Download a Fajr Adhan call, either on your phone or on your computer, so that you have an alarm that is not regular. Also set multiple alarms, NOT near your bed. Force yourself to get up out of bed to turn the alarm off. Maybe have a sign that says Holy Ramadan near your alarm, so you can remember in the morning, oh yeah its Ramadan, I have to go eat suhoor (early breakfast) and not go back to sleep. Maybe someone can help wake you up early? Also always remember, after you eat breakfast and pray Fajr, you can always go back to bed if you are sleepy, and wake up in the morning at a normal time to begin your day, already fed, and hydrated.
As far as having the spirit of Ramadan. Hmmmm, well I am still trying to figure this one out myself, as I am Muslim living in the West, none of my family nor friends are Muslims, so it is a solo struggle during Ramadan for the most part. I have heard from people that being in a Muslim country can help a lot with Ramadan, in all aspects. Insha'Allah one day I may be able to spend Ramadan in a Muslim country.

For me, holidays=food. Which I know is funny for a holiday of fasting, but don't forget iftar. The lovely moment of breaking fast after a long day and knowing that you have sacrificed for the betterment of your own soul. This moment should be accompanied with excellent food if you can prepare it. I like to break fast with a fruit smoothie or just some fruit and water. These are great after a long day of fasting, as they are not difficult on the stomach, they replenish liquids and some solid food, and the food is high in natural sugars, so that sleepy, drowsy feeling you may have after fasting all day is eliminated very quickly because your body can use the sugars immediately for energy.

Prepare special foods during Ramadan, and share them with others. Especially non-Muslims. Try to learn new dishes to cook so you can surprise them.

Also, I can't stress this enough, as Ramadan progresses, it is always for me around day 20 or so, I start feeling really positive, with a lot of taqwa, and I find myself wanting to help others more and do what I can to help the world in general.

Ramadan is not just about fasting, it is also about opening our hearts to the world, to the suffering, to the poor, to the oppressed, and to those whom society neglects. There is more than enough of all of these terrible things happening in the world for all Muslims to have their hands full 24/7 trying to help our planet and our fellow brothers and sisters in humanity. If we are unable during the rest of the year, make this a time to try and give back. Give soup out at the local homeless area, donate clothes to children, spend time with seniors in your community especially those who have few family members, donate to people in poorer countries than your own; whatever you do, do it with love and kindness in your heart.

I hope for you a blessed and successful Ramadan, may this month be full of goodness, compassion, kindness, patience, perseverance, and peace for all people worldwide.

Insha'Allah, we will all become better Muslims and better human beings after this Ramadan.

Salaam

Jane

Drinking a lot of water in one go when you are not thirsty for it is actually more likely to cause dehydration because it disturbs your electrolyte balance. Dehydration can be caused by too much water in your blood as well as too little.

Don't make it harder for yourself.

Peace.

GODsubmitter

It is not that difficult though.
Whenever I can, I sleep as much as I can during Ramadan.
I try to read the Qur'an all the time as much as possible.
The more days pass the better I feel.
There is something invisible going on during the fasting of Ramadan.
Blessing from God.
Peace.