Help !! First Ramadan I'm TRYING to observe.?

Question

I'm wishing to convert to Islam, but for certain reasons I actually can't visit a Mosque and convert until I'm like able to drive. (There's no Mosques near me and my family would never want me to become a Muslim). But that's so far away so until then, I want to try my best to learn about Islam and try and pray and other things. I want to try and participate in Ramadan, but my school monitors what I eat at school, so I can't skip lunch and my parents will ask questions if I don't want dinner. So what can I do to observe Ramadan but still eat lunch and tea :|

Thanks in advance and Ramadan Kareem :)

Answer 1

Ramadan Mubarak - this is my first Ramadan too. I rescently converted to Islam by visiting a Iman at the Mosque, although it isn't a must if it is not possible for you to do so.

If you believe in the teachings of Islam, it is recommended to make a formal declaration of faith. After careful study and prayer, if you find that you want to embrace the faith, here's how.

For a Muslim, every action begins with your intention.  Quietly, to yourself, make the intention to embrace Islam as your faith.

Say the following words with clarity of intention, firm faith and belief:

Say: "Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill Allah."  (I bear witness that there is no diety but Allah.)

Say: "Wa ash-hadu ana Muhammad ar-rasullallah."  (And I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.)

Take a shower, symbolically cleansing yourself of your past life.

Learn how to pray and practice Islam in your daily life.

Continue to learn, study, and grow in your new faith.

Before embracing Islam, be sure to spend time studying the faith, reading books, and learning from other Muslims.

Your conversion should be based on knowledge, certainty, acceptance, submission, truthfulness, and sincerity.

It is not required to have Muslim witnesses to your conversion, but many prefer to have such support.

If you wish to go for Hajj (pilgrimage), a "certificate of Islam" may be required. Contact your local Islamic center to obtain one.

In regards to Ramadan and being monitored of what you eat at School, it will be difficult for you to keep fast. Try to make your Parents see how important this is to you, explain to them the beauty of the Relgion and the peace it holds. I was not born a Muslim my Parents are Non Believers and have never had a Religion - although they appreciate and take an interest in mine, as they know it makes me happy.

Answer 2

thanks for Ramadan wishes, it is nice from you, same to you :)

well you are not required to fast Ramadan before you become a Muslim, and it won't be counted, but you might be rewarded for your sincere intention to fast, Allah willing.

yes you are invited to know Islam and learn about it, and who really is sincere to learn, Allah expands his mind and heart to learn.

the most important concept of Islam are the five pillars, your Islam won't be valid until you believe in it:

- Muslims declare that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messanger

- they pray 5 times a day

- they pay a portion of their wealth to poor and needy people

- they fast the month of Ramadan

- they go for pillimrage to Makkah

may Allah (swt) send down his blessings to you and become a Muslim

Ameen,,

Answer 3

i dont know if this helps

but wen its dinner just tell your parents you'll eat later or you're not hungry and just eat whenever the sun sets (but if you do that everyday they'll get suspicious)

and at lunch try your best to stick to your fast and if u cant, Allah will still reward you for your intentions inshaalla

weekends shouldnt be a problem, just make sure you're not at home for any meal and if you're with friends just tell them ure watching your weight or sumthin(unless ure already thin)

anyway good luck :-)  and remember who u shud fear most (Allah, not wat your friends-family-w/e think or how they may react...cuz it dznt matter wat they do and remember wat Allah said will happen to those who disobey Him)

Answer 4

Dear sister,

Assalam Alaikum.

Unfortunately, unless you can somehow avoid the school monitors and/or conceal the fact that you are fasting, you will not be able to observe Ramadan by having lunch and tea.  The whole point of fasting is to go without food and water between sunrise and sunset, so that you can appreciate everything that Allah (God) (SWT) has provided you with in this world, including food and water, and also realise how hard it may be for many people in the world who have little or no food or clean water for most or every day of their life.

If there is no way that you can avoid this then Allah (SWT) the most merciful will reward you for even having the thought in your heart that you want to fast, but are unable to do so.  Also, you will have the weekends when you are not at school, so you should not have any problems observing Ramadan on those days.

Finally, I assume you are aware of the meal that you should have before dawn i.e. before about 4.20 am?  You should always get up early in the morning, before dawn and have something to eat - this is very important, otherwise your energy levels may not be sufficient for you to last the whole day until sunset, without eating.  When you break the fast at sunset (about 7.50pm) you should break it preferably with dates, which is the tradition in Islam, and then eat and drink as you normally would for the rest of the evening.

Hope my advice was helpful.

Kind regards.

Salaam.

Zad.