thanks for the comments re recipes too – have passed on to my nutritionist, altho i know what she’ll say about the cream!!

Shukran may Allah taala reward you for sharing in both worlds .

Assalaamu’alaykum.

Here is his Brain Fuel Shake recipe: http://www.thinkproductive.co.uk/fuel-the-recipe-for-brain-fuel-shake
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Ayodele, this is fascinating stuff and I have to confess I feel so unqualified to answer it! Usually I just help people get their email inboxes to zero and stuff like that! :p But hence why this experiment has been so interesting on a personal level for me, too.

Personally I’ve always been a big believer in the idea of multiculturalism because my experience is that it breeds acceptance, compassion and a healthy curiosity. I think sadly that’s something that all over the world we’re forgetting how to do right now though: to be curious, even of things we may not believe in or fully understand.

I think perhaps my wording around ‘absolute truth’ may have been a little clumsy there, in which case forgive my unintended ignorance! I was referring more to how Muslims and many other minorities such as unemployed or disabled people are being scapegoated by the UK’s government and media at the moment. It’s the politics of hate, fear and envy and it’s designed to distract people during times of economic crisis and turn them against each other.

That said, you’re also right that acknowledging conflict and difference takes courage and is the first step to dialogue and peace. So thanks for raising this point. I guess from our curiosity we all see the complications of a complicated world!

But what I certainly know is that regardless of what certain sections of the media want me to believe, I must continue to develop my understanding of Islam (and all faiths) and remain open-minded and open-hearted in doing so. That certainly also seems to be the overwhelming spirit with which you and everyone reading this has approached my experiment too, which I think is really wonderful and will live long in the memory for me. So thank you :)

All of these points thankfully have made me look deeper into how I’m going through my fasts day by day. Point #4 on this list was particularly refreshing, because often we blame someone/something else for making us annoyed/irritable… when really, it’s ourselves. It’s good to admit to others (and yourself) that you’re human and that you’re not perfect, and to just apologize or forgive others when things start happening.

I must say that it saddens me as well to see your experiment come to an end. I really enjoyed reading about your fasts, and I looked forward to each day for the resulting post that would come in. If you do end up doing a whole month’s of fasting next year, I am definitely looking forward to reading about it. Perhaps you can get a few others and do it in a group, so you could get that great social feeling of fasting together. It greatly adds to your motivational spirit. I’m sure the ProductiveMuslim team would be able to help you out there :)

Thank you so much for looking at Islam and Ramadan in a positive light, when so many nowadays fail to do so. Your posts were funny and your tips were informative. I can’t wait to implement what I’ve learned! Definitely subscribing to your productivity website.

I hope your month of fueling goes well!

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P.S: For those who are looking for the Brain Fuel Shake recipe, it’s over here: http://www.thinkproductive.co.uk/fuel-the-recipe-for-brain-fuel-shake