Fasting for my Non-Muslims friends

Its Ramadhan again and the afternoon food markets are back. For the fasting Muslims, by this I mean those who are really fasting, not those who are taking cigarette, drinks and snack breaks in the storeroom during the day or those who hide in their cars to have their KFC snack plate and coke, or those who are simply not fasting, this is a month of great rewards. My Ustadz told me long ago that three are three rewards for the fasting Muslims: a calmness during the fast, a calmness in the grave and a virtuous presence when we face Allah.

All that aside, fasting is even a great thing for anyone even if he or she is not a Muslim. At the very least, you get a month long diet. In fact not fasting in Ramadhan can be perilous for the non-Muslim because they too often patronize the food markets and this means more food for a whole month. This of course translates into a few notches more on the belt. So, here's my recommendation for my non-Muslim friends, specifically in Malaysia but those elsewhere also.

First, remember that fasting isn't strictly Islamic: every major religion, even minor ones, have their own versions of the fast.

The simplest fast is simply to change the way you eat and drink. Try this.

1. Have an early breakfast. I won't recommend the Syahur for non-Muslims because we do Syahur (wake up at around 4 or 5 to have a meal) for its religious significance not for the meal itself. So just get up early and have a good hearty breakfast.
2. Avoid any food, fluid, sex, carnal behavior ( smiley face here), and anything of the sort during the day.
3. Break your fast when you hear the Maghreb adzan which indicates the transition of day to night. At this time eat, drink and be merry for a short while but don't eat too much because you'll need to move after the meal.
4. At around 9, retire for prayers. The Muslims go for Tarawikh prayers, you can try praying for an hour or so, you could even try meditating by focusing on emptying your mind and controlling your breathing: simply breathe in deeply, hold for 3 counts, exhale slowly for ten counts, hold for 3 counts and then repeat.
5. Do this everyday for a whole month.

Have fun. Ramadhan is a month of blessing, I don't see why you couldn't take part in it, after all Allah blesses anyone he wants and we are all his creation. Whether you believe in him or not, that is between you and him. After all, hidayah (light of faith - closest translation, I think) belongs to Allah and he alone chooses who to shine it on.