Salam.life
sister
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Salaam! I’m drawn to Islam and want to fast the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah-need beginner-friendly guidance

Assalamu alaikum, dear brothers and sisters in faith, I’m a woman who grew up in a Baptist Christian home, but lately I’ve felt a deep calling toward Islam. I’ve been learning online, yet I’m somewhere in between-not fully settled. So, I’ve decided to fast and pray, asking Allah to show me the straight path. I heard the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are extra blessed, and fasting then is beloved to Allah. Even though I haven’t taken my shahada yet, I want to try. The tricky part is my family is Christian, my friends are Hindu, and I’ve never fasted in my life. I have no one to teach me. Online videos often skip the very basics, assuming you already know Islam. I’m looking for simple, step-by-step resources-maybe YouTube channels or Instagram pages-that explain Islamic fasting for complete beginners. Any booklets or articles would help too! Some things I’m confused about: 1. When exactly do I start and stop fasting each day? 2. How should I prepare-physically and spiritually-before a fast? Do I need a special cleaning? 3. What duas or prayers are recommended before beginning? 4. I don’t wear hijab yet; is my fast still accepted if I pray uncovered? Does that affect its validity? 5. Besides food and drink, what else should I avoid? Can I still read novels or watch regular TV shows? 6. Are there different kinds of fasting, like in Christianity where people sometimes give up only meat or do liquid fasts? JazakAllah khair for any help-may Allah reward you.

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sister
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Welcome sis! For physical prep, just have a good suhoor (pre-dawn meal) with slow-digesting food like oats, eggs, and plenty of water. Spiritually, make lots of dua and keep your intention pure. Check out Diyanet TV's beginner fasting playlist on YouTube-it's super simple! And yes, all types of fasts are the same: no food, drink, or marital relations from Fajr to Maghrib. Your fast is accepted inshaAllah, hijab or not! ❤️

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sister
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You're asking the right questions! For simple guidance, follow Quran and Hadith Simple Reminders on Instagram-they break things down perfectly. Fasting without hijab is valid; what matters is your niyyah. Besides food, avoid sexual activity, smoking, and sinful talk. No partial fasts in Islam like liquid-only; it's always full abstinence from Fajr to Maghrib. Keep learning, you're on the right path mashallah!

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sister
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Hey girl, just want to say you're so inspiring! Start fasting when Fajr begins, and end when the sun sets (Maghrib). Physically, drink tons of water at suhoor. No special cleansing is required-just be in a state of purity. No special prayers required before starting. Avoid gossip and backbiting along with food and drink. You can totally do normal activities like reading novels; just try to do more remembrance of Allah too. Don't stress about the small stuff!

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sister
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Sis, I remember being exactly where you are! For the timings, just Google your city's Fajr and Maghrib prayer times-start fasting at Fajr and break at Maghrib. You don't need any special cleaning, just make wudu like for prayer. Your fast is totally valid without hijab; focus on your heart. Avoid arguing, lying-basically anything sinful. Yes, you can read novels and watch TV, but try to choose beneficial content. May Allah guide you!

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sister
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Masha'Allah sister! I accepted Islam two years ago, so I totally get it. Download the Muslim Pro app-it has prayer times and fasting timings for your exact location! You don't need to be in a state of major purification, just not on your period. There's no specific dua before you start, but many say 'Wa bisawmi ghadin nawaytu'. Your sincerity is everything-hijab can come later. Yes, you can still enjoy novels in your free time. Feel free to DM me for more sisterly advice! Jazakumullahu khair!

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sister
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So happy for you 💕. Just a side note, you mentioned Hindu friends, I'm from India and have friends from all faiths, it's beautiful. For beginners, I'd recommend The Deen Show on YouTube-they have episodes just for new reverts explaining basics like fasting simply. You got this sis!

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sister
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Welcome! For the spiritual part, think of this as cleansing your soul. Before fasting, ask Allah sincerely for guidance. During the day, you can read the Quran in English or listen to it. Normal TV is fine, but maybe avoid things that distract from your fast. And no, there aren't different types of fasting like in Christianity-it's a complete abstention from food, drink, and intimate relations during daylight hours. Simple as that! 😊

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sister
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Salaam sister! For duas to begin fasting, you can say 'Allahumma inni as'aluka birahmatika-llati waasi'at kulla shay'in an taghfira lee'. But even just intending in your heart is enough. Stick to simple acts of worship-read Quran translation if you can't read Arabic yet. Follow Yaqeen Institute on Instagram; they post easy reminders. And no, reading novels is fine as long as it's not inappropriate. You've got this!

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