My first Ramadan

GreeksRethink

Dizzy, Dehydrated and Disoriented

After thoroughly investigating Islam, I accepted Islam in 2007.  The month of fasting was approaching for Ramadan.

I had read all about the benefits of fasting and the rewards and I wanted maximum reward. I thought it will be easy and straight forward. I have to be frank. As the first time of fasting began, I was fine for the first few hours. Afterwards, the problems started. I was feeling dizzy, dehydrated and disoriented. But I was determined. I wanted maximum reward.

In my mind, I could not understand why I was feeling this way. I had fasted before in Greece as a Christian.But then that was different. I had been able to drink water.  Little did I know that my system had not even had a trial run of a true Ramadan fasting. I was upset, disappointed and felt like a failure.

I spoke to a few other Muslims and they all said, “Don’t worry. You will get used to it. It is easy for us as we have been fasting since we were 7.”

Now this was no comfort. I wanted to share in Allah’s rewards and I was feeling dangerously close to breaking the fast. I carried on regardless and I remember that I could not even drive on the way back from work. I had to pull up and fall asleep on the side of the road.

When I got home, I was a little ill and when Iftar time came,………. I can remember the taste of that cup of tea. It really tasted like tea.

Anyway, I revived and I spoke to a few people of knowledge.

Fasting is something we do for Allah SWT and for Allah only. We pray for our own benefit, for our salvation and peace. For our own soul. But fasting is for Allah SWT. But Allah SWT does not want to see us suffering and being  ill.

So allowances have been made for the traveller and the ill. If you can not fast due to illness or because you are travelling Allah has given us this gift. The gift that we can not refuse: not to fast but give money “ fidia” which is a specified amount of money per day you can not fast and try to make up the fasting days later.

I am not saying not to fast. I am saying that if you face adverse difficulties please do not feel as I felt that first Ramadan day.