Fasting for Ramadan as a non-Muslim – Day 3

By on August 4, 2011 in Personal, Religion

Sorry for the brief post. I’m sure that during these 30 days, I’ll have a few of these where I am too spent to be much good on a keyboard (or anything else).

Tonight, I had the opportunity to end my fast on a soccer field. It was only ten minutes before sunset, so I got to run my body ragged for a few, and then duck out and grab some water. Thanks to sunrise sunset.com, I am able to know the precise minute of official sundown.

I sat on the bench staring at my iPhone as it screamed at me 7:58!!! for at least 200 seconds. I popped the lid off of my water bottle, willing my phone clock to turn with a harsh stare. Finally, when that lovely 8 lost one of it’s curves, I took a deep, long swig.

I could feel my saliva changing. Instead of serving the role of softening my food, during my fast, it has become my internal water fountain. I know that sounds gross, but I’ve been experiencing some real psychological nourishment from my salivary glands. While I expected to be dry-mouthed during this fast, I have been surprised to discover that its more of a thickening of my saliva than a straight drying out.

My breath isn’t peachy during the fast, but during Ramadan, this is seen as a blessing to God.

“The change in the breath of the mouth of him who fasts is better in Allah’s estimation than the smell of musk.”

I’m not a big fan of musk, but the point is well taken.

I went out during the next shift and promptly scored the first goal of the game. Despite the mental strength that this fast is bestowing upon me, I’m gonna go ahead and thank H20 for that one.

10% of the fast is completed. Tomorrow is another day.

I can do this.

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  • tpos

    Just read your first two days blogs and thought I’d comment on this one – but I’m not stalking, honest!

    They’re a good read though, I like the humour and I’m glad to see you’re doing well :)

    Oh and if it makes you feel any better, the fasts, here in the uk, are about 18hours long!

  • http://www.zacparsons.com Zac

    Tpos,

    Trust me, you’re not stalking. A blog is for reading, right? Thanks for that, by the way.

    Wow, an 18 hour fast does sound considerably harder. Are you fasting right now yourself?

  • tpos

    yep it is for reading but I didn’t want to sound over-excited/weird etc by commenting on everything lol

    and no problem/you’re welcome :)

    Yes I was fasting, it sounds pretty hard but thankfully its been alright. I have felt hungry but nothing incredibly bad. It can be easy to forget if you busy yourself and then it goes away after a while. Although last year I remember it being worse, which is odd considering the days were a little shorter then – then I was actually in pain cuz of the hunger! Like I rock was being put on my stomach and squashing my insides! :O And that memory was making me dread this year a little, but nope it’s going alright/ fine :)

    Ok that looks like an essay :/ lol

    But yeah, if I can do it, so can you :D

  • http://www.zacparsons.com Zac

    Hey, Google analytics stats are great, but comments are what really tell me that I’m talking about something meaningful.

    For fasting, the hunger has not bothered me as much as the thirst. But, I’m about 30 pounds overweight, so maybe I’m like a hibernating bear in that way. ;)

    Still going strong….

  • tpos

    lol! I doubt being overweight matters – you should probably even feel more hungry?

    I don’t tend to get thirsty, probably cuz I don’t drink that much normally anyway. I have been trying to drink as much as possible these days, to be a little more healthy though.

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