My First Ramadhan

[lifutushi]

<b>My first Ramadhan</b>


<i>Written by Muhammad Bilal </i>





Muhammad Bilal


Muhammad proclaimed the Islamic Declaration of Faith only three months ago and this will be his very first Ramadhan. Throughout the month Muhammad will keep us updated on his personal experiences.


<i>I was born in Elles Glen in Edinburgh to a Roman Catholic family in 1981 and brought up in Portobello in Scotland's capital. Yet, here I am in the city of Birmingham in 2004 looking forward to my very first Ramadhan as a Muslim. </i>


I decided to come to Birmingham for work reasons. I had been living in my native Edinburgh for 22 years but it was in England's second city that I first met a Muslim person. One of the first people I met was Mir Afzal who happened to be my flat mate and a Muslim.


Over a period of six months, he exposed me to a great deal of knowledge about the world's fastest growing faith, a lot of what he said was completely alien to me.


Despite Islam being such a prominent world religion and constantly in the media, I only knew that Muslims existed but didn't know much about their way of life or practices.


The day that changed my life ...


After learning more about the Islamic creed, I finally decided that Islam may be the direction that I would like to follow in life. I embraced Islam on the Thursday 22nd July 2004 at the Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate.





Ahmed Ibrahim - The main Imam Ahmed of Birmingham Central Mosque


I proclaimed the Islamic Declaration of Faith in the presence of my friend and brother in faith, Mir Afzal and in the presence of the Imam Ahmed Ibrahim Patel who conducted the service.


Imam Ahmed Ibrahim is the main Imam at the Birmingham Central Mosque. Explaining the whole procedure to me was Muhammad Ali, the Office Incharge, whom I also remember very vividly from the day that changed my life.


On that day I also changed my name, which used to be Andrew Richard Tait, to Muhammad Bilal. 'Muhammad', which means praiseworthy, was chosen because it is the name of the final Prophet of God (pbuh). 'Bilal' was selected after the first Muedhin (announcer of the call to prayer), who was a companion of the Prophet (pbuh). Mir Afzal helped me to select the names.


Prayers at Central Mosque...





Birmingham Central Mosque


Since then, I have settled well in Birmingham and now perceive it as my new home. I am working not far from the Central Mosque and regularly attend prayers.


I also learnt a great deal more about the faith and worship from people at the mosque including Mohammed Saeed, the mosque's maintenance manager whom I met on my very first visit to the mosque.


I've never fasted before ...


As I have only been in the fold of Islam for nearly three months, this Ramadhan will be my very first. I am feeling very anxious and nervous as I don't really know what to expect.





Ramadhan prayers at Birmingham Central Mosque


I've never fasted before in my life so the idea of abstaining from food and drink for thirty days worries me a bit.


I have a few concerns as I've never gone hungry before but I think I'll cope. I hope to concentrate on the hunger of the poor and homeless of the world to help me get through the month. I also hope to excel in my prayers during the holy month.


In the next four weeks, I shall be maintaining an update about my Ramadhan experience and letting you all know about my very first Eid at the end of the month, Insha'Allah.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


as salam alykom lifu


Mash a Allah wa Allah u Akbar, any update on the brother, this would be his second Ramadan Insh a Allah.

[lifutushi]

no, this is his very first.... the story was written last month (Sya'aban)....


and this is the update:


<i></i>


My first Ramadhan - Day 20



Written by Muhammad Bilal





Muhammad Bilal at Birmingham Central Mosque


This is the first time I have fasted in my entire life. I have so far being fasting for around 20 days. I thought it was going to be quite difficult but it has actually been quite easy.


I was worried a bit about the whole thing during the first day of fast. I had been hungry before in my life but with fasting it was a bit more difficult at the beginning. Everywhere I went I was being tempted by food.


<b>Giving up bad habits...</b><i></i>


In my house, there was fruit and drink and stuff and it did get quite alluring at times but I managed to fight it until it was time to break the fast in the evening. I had successfully got through my first day without a hitch.


The mornings have been the hardest time for me as I was used to smoking a cigarette every morning and to battle with that has been a quite hard. It takes me about 15 minutes to adjust every morning now but on the plus side, it is helping me recognise that I can survive without smoking and so it may help me give up altogether.


<b>Talking to others about my faith ...</b><i></i>





Muhammad at work


During this month, I have tried to increase my Islamic awareness by talking to my work colleagues about the Qur'an and my faith. This is easier to do when I'm fasting as everyone is aware that all of the Muslim employees are observing Ramadhan.


Remembering my religion also keeps my mind off my stomach and the need for food; it helps me condition my urges. I have been coming to the mosque to pray everyday, usually during my breaks.


I have also been breaking my fast at Iftar time with nearly a hundred other Muslims at the mosque but my work breaks are too short to stay for the full main meals although I can do this on weekends.


<b>Looking forward to Eid ...</b><i></i>





Muhammad at Birmingham Central Mosque


I have just over ten days left, the final ten of which are the most important days during this holy month. I hope that I can keep my prayers up and continue to observe all of the fasts.


I am looking forward to my first Eid with other Muslims. I have been told a lot about the celebrations after Ramadhan and am eagerly waiting to participate in the festivities. I have enjoyed this experience as it has made me a stronger person and I look forward to it again next year.

[Muslimah]

[. Yet, here I am in the city of Birmingham in 2004 looking forward to my very first Ramadhan as a Muslim.

Bismillah


lifu I see that he stated becoming a Muslim in 2004 but Mash a Allah for his update may Allah keeps him steadfast