The New Muslim's Field Guide Podcast

It's so easy in Ramadan to think only of yourself, your needs, your hunger, the ways you're struggling, etc. In this Ramadan Tips episode, Theresa and Kaighla advise new Muslims to find a way to make Ramadan about others and their needs. Theresa suggests a novel way to get your foot in the door with the local Muslim community, Kaighla tells a story of a time someone took the chance in Ramadan to make a major difference in her life, and they remind new Muslims of the balance of Islam and the importance of also making sure one's own needs are met.

Why do we even do Ramadan? In this episode, Kaighla regales us with the story of the night that Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Qur'an. It happened in Ramadan, and this sacred month was never the same after that. Why did God reveal the Qur'an to us? Because he wanted us to ponder on it and reflect on its wisdom. Theresa and Kaighla talk about the importance of remembering the true focus of Ramadan: the Qur'an.

Listen, God is not interested in making you suffer for funsies. Not eating or drinking or sexing from sunup to sundown is good for your soul, and it's not even about the food and such, it's about one thing and one thing only: drawing you nearer to your Creator. And nothing draws you closer to your Creator than submitting yourself and your nafs to Him in worship and in prayer. God loves it when we ask Him for what we need, when we thank Him for our countless blessings, and when we cry to Him in our tribulation, because God loves it when we draw near to Him. In this episode, we discuss the power of du'a, tell stories of times when God has answered our du'a in unexpected ways, and remind you to make a du'a to-do list, which is exactly what it sounds like: a list of things to make du'a to God for, and why it's super important to remember others, both your loved ones and complete strangers, in your du'as.

One unfortunate side-effect of fasting is dehydration, especially if you're not getting the water you need (yes, specifically water. listen to Ramadan Tip #3 for more on that). And one unfortunate side-effect of being dehydrated is brain fog. In this episode, Theresa and Kaighla explore ways to combat brain fog, especially when having a foggy brain is your non-fasting default anyway.

So you've determined, based on a chat with your medical professional, that fasting is something you can't take part in without damaging your health long-term. Or you're pregnant or breast-feeding and you (and your doctor) have determined it's not ok for the baby. Now what? Kaighla and Theresa discuss in this Ramadan Tips episode ways you can experience Ramadan, regardless of your inability to fast, including suggestions of ways to emulate that experience of going without in order to deeply re-examine your dependencies. Kaighla tells a story about one Ramadan where she was forced to make a peculiar change and the wonderful results, and we look at the history of previous peoples skipping fasting for less-than-legit reasons, and ways we can avoid following in their footsteps.

Here at The New Muslim's Field Guide Podcast, we're all about meeting you where you are. As much as the Muslim community likes to sweep these things under the rug and act as if none of us struggles with addiction, there are so many Muslims trying to fast in Ramadan while also coping with nicotine and caffeine withdrawal. Sure, coffee is a halal drug, but cigarettes and such aren't, but both leave you with serious, physical symptoms when you don't get your fix. In this Ramadan Tips episode, Kaighla and Theresa share some tips on coping with caffeine and nicotine withdrawal in Ramadan, as well as ways to beat the addictions in the long run.

The New Muslim's Field Guide vocab word of the day is dua-Supplication or prayer, talking to or asking God for something. @1:44 Theresa talks about what she does about her caffeine addition during Ramadan. Drinking coffee may be too much liquid to put in your stomach when you also need to fit food and water in there. Another option if you must have caffeine, would be to drink a 5-hour energy. Less liquid. This was a tip Kaighla gave to Theresa in a non-podcast chat. ;)

@2:26 Theresa and Kaighla talk about not smoking during the day in Ramadan and also outside of fasting hours. All things that hurt your body are sins (a sin is something that hurts you so this makes sense) and fasting and sinning don't go together. Hurting yourself is never a good idea and always a sin, but especially during fasting. Why give up the halal things when you aren't even giving up the haram?

It's 3:59a.m. and your alarm has gone off to let you know it's time to pray Fajr, and you've missed Suhoor... again. *distant, eery screams*

Theresa and Kaighla have been where you are-Kaighla missed Suhoor (the morning meal just before starting your fast, eaten before dawn) just this morning, in fact! As much as it feels like you may die, we're here to tell you that while it's gonna suck, hard, you will (probably, inshaAllah) survive. We discuss ways to prevent missing Suhoor, great tips for making the most of this important meal, and the question of what to do if you do miss it, as well as handling things when you enjoyed your halal spouse in the night and didn't get a chance to make ghusl (ritual full-bath required before prayer after sex) before Fajr.

The New Muslim's Field Guide vocab word of the day is suhoor-The predawn meal that is eaten before the day of fasting begins. Sahoor is eaten just before sunrise/fajr. Check out this video on how to make Ghusl.@ 0:39 Theresa says that you have to be very careful when you have to wake up at 4:30 in the morning. This is just an example. Not everyone will be eating or waking up at the same time. Your time will very based on your location. Go to www.islamicfinder.org to find out when you should stop eating (Fajrtime). 

@ 1:08 Kaighla jokes that if your dog licks your face, go make wudu if you're a "shaf'i". Imam Ash-Shafi'i is the founder of one of many schools of thought, and those who follow his school of thought are of the opinion that dog saliva is najis (impure) and makes everything it touches (clothes, skin, dishes) impure, too. Read more here.

@ 4:36 Kaighla talks about "Halal sexing." Sex with your spouse is prohibited during fasting in the daylight hours of Ramadan, but perfectly halal at night. Just make sure you're not still in the act when Fajr begins.

@ 5:30 Kaighla talks about when she first converted and she would accidentally swallow water during wudu. If you do accidentally swallow water, this doesn't break your fast. Actions are by judged by intentions and if you slipped up not intending to swallow something, you are not held accountable. 

@ 6:25 Kaighla says that you don't have to have ghusl to start fasting. Read more about that 

Fasting is hard for us all, but for some people, it can be dangerous. But for a new Muslim, it's often difficult to decipher the advice one gets from the aunties in the masjid, one's Muslim friends, the imam, and other laymen on just how sick you need to be, and in what way, for your illness to excuse you from fasting. In this Ramadan Tips episode, Kaighla and Theresa discuss the myriad illnesses, both physical and mental, which can excuse someone from fasting, the importance of seeking sound medical advice from a medical professional, and offer encouragement and reminders of Allah's mercy.

Ramadan fasting brings out all the feels. When you take away food, water, sex, and other fun coping mechanisms, all the deep, uncomfortable emotions you typically suppress find a way out of you, often in the form of anger, rage, sorrow, anxiety, and other fun stuff. Theresa gives a great tip on coping with hanger, and talks about the importance of respecting it while still refusing to allow it to dictate your emotions. Kaighla tells a story of a time she finally gained control of her emotions in Ramadan and how that improved life ten-fold.

Allah says he loves the smell of a fasting person's breath, but Lord knows other people don't appreciate it. In this episode, Kaighla and Theresa give some helpful tips on curbing your stanky breath and protecting the innocent. Theresa suggests an age-old trick, and Kaighla suggests a novel idea, albeit facetiously.

The New Muslim's Field Guide Vocab word of the day is Niqab-Face veil, Often seen worn by Saudi women. It is not a required part of hijab, but it is a woman's choice if she'd like to cover her face.

@ 2:37 Theresa recommends buying a miswak on Amazon. Here is a link to some miswak with holders that is Prime eligible. And here is a video on how to use it

@ 4:06 Kaighla talks about swallowing saliva. She is just saying you don't need to spit all day long b.c. you are naturally, unconsciously producing saliva. This is natural and does not break the fast. But, generally, when fasting, don't intentionally collect your saliva in your mouth just to have something to drink.