Ramadan Kareem
Discussion
I'm just doing a bit of copypasta, but good idea.
For Muslims, Ramadan is a holy month dedicated to prayer, Quran recitation, introspection and fasting during the sunlight hours. But the Arabic word for fasting—sawm—doesn't only refer to abstaining from food or drink. It translates literally to "refrain," and encompasses abstinence from food, drink, having sex, and all evil thoughts and deeds in the interest of self-purification. Muslims observing the holy month break the daily fast with an evening meal called Iftar, often beginning with a few sips of water or something sweet, like an odd number of dates.
Ramadan is believed to be the holiest month of the year within Islam, and the month in which the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. In this month, the gates to heaven are believed to be open and the gates to hell closed. Muslims are instructed to fast in the Surat Al-Baqarah, the second and longest chapter of the Quran.
Technically, all "healthy" Muslims are expected to fast, but there are a number of exceptions. Children, elderly people and pregnant, post-natal, breastfeeding or menstruating women are exempt, as are travelers or people who are physically or mentally ill. Non-fasters can compensate by fasting at a later date or feeding a person in need.
Edit to add: If you are invited to join a family to join them for the Iftar meal, really do - its a wonderful time.
For Muslims, Ramadan is a holy month dedicated to prayer, Quran recitation, introspection and fasting during the sunlight hours. But the Arabic word for fasting—sawm—doesn't only refer to abstaining from food or drink. It translates literally to "refrain," and encompasses abstinence from food, drink, having sex, and all evil thoughts and deeds in the interest of self-purification. Muslims observing the holy month break the daily fast with an evening meal called Iftar, often beginning with a few sips of water or something sweet, like an odd number of dates.
Ramadan is believed to be the holiest month of the year within Islam, and the month in which the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. In this month, the gates to heaven are believed to be open and the gates to hell closed. Muslims are instructed to fast in the Surat Al-Baqarah, the second and longest chapter of the Quran.
Technically, all "healthy" Muslims are expected to fast, but there are a number of exceptions. Children, elderly people and pregnant, post-natal, breastfeeding or menstruating women are exempt, as are travelers or people who are physically or mentally ill. Non-fasters can compensate by fasting at a later date or feeding a person in need.
Edit to add: If you are invited to join a family to join them for the Iftar meal, really do - its a wonderful time.
Edited by themanwithnoname on Saturday 27th May 10:28
themanwithnoname said:
....fasting during the sunlight hours.
There's also some flexibility in this, it can be any time of the year, I think it moves a bit every year which is fine you you live not too far from the equator and the days and nights are similar lengths but a bit tricky if you live very far north! I think daylight in Mecca is used if you live somewhere that it hardly gets dark at night as it's a tough if you have to fast for a month!I think you'l find its more 'avoid actually starving/dehydrating to death'
Given that daylight hours here in the UK is 18 hours at the moment, and will increase a little further, that's got to be pretty tough with no food and no water. So respect to anyone observing even that.
If you're only on here to poke at it, then this isn't the thread for you. I, for one am an anti-theist, but as I am also a reasonable, grown up man-child, I can respect others belief systems, even if I reject them personally. (Unless you're a flat earther, then I'm totes going to town on your silly ass)
Love, not hate for once please?
Given that daylight hours here in the UK is 18 hours at the moment, and will increase a little further, that's got to be pretty tough with no food and no water. So respect to anyone observing even that.
If you're only on here to poke at it, then this isn't the thread for you. I, for one am an anti-theist, but as I am also a reasonable, grown up man-child, I can respect others belief systems, even if I reject them personally. (Unless you're a flat earther, then I'm totes going to town on your silly ass)
Love, not hate for once please?
I used to work at night with a Bangladeshi girl who had to sit behind the counter of a Chinese takeaway for hours on end sniffing the grub being cooked a few feet away, and advising us that she was starving hungry. She was a real stoic. She couldn't wait till her shift ended at about 9pm/10pm and she would run home to stuff herself.
I'm surprised any muslims bother to post on this website anymore given the attitudes of many of the posters and the failure of the website management to do anything about it. I converted to Islam a few years ago and it really let's you see how some people are.
Ramadan Kareem brothers and sisters
Ramadan Kareem brothers and sisters
Agree wholeheartedly. I used to post regularly in this section of the site, but gave up many years ago. I even considered starting a second login account so I could anonymously respond in a reasoned way to some of the bilious garbage. But then I decided there was no point descending to that level.
Anyway, well done GT03ROB for starting a thread with the best of intentions. It's a month of reflection and self improvement. Ramadan Kareem to one and all.
Anyway, well done GT03ROB for starting a thread with the best of intentions. It's a month of reflection and self improvement. Ramadan Kareem to one and all.
I remember a few years ago when my son in law was in his first year in the U.K. He was working any job he could to get established, night shifts in supermarkets, and daytime at a school on the summer maintenance side as he was looking for a way in (qualified sports teacher).
Poor sod, working all night through the dawn and then up a latter all day cleaning windows in the sun with nothing to eat, or more importantly, to drink. Commitment.
Ramadan Kareem folks.
Poor sod, working all night through the dawn and then up a latter all day cleaning windows in the sun with nothing to eat, or more importantly, to drink. Commitment.
Ramadan Kareem folks.
Emanresu said:
I'm surprised any muslims bother to post on this website anymore given the attitudes of many of the posters and the failure of the website management to do anything about it. I converted to Islam a few years ago and it really let's you see how some people are.
Ramadan Kareem brothers and sisters
Well, that's one of the benefits of living in a free society - people can post their views on here (within the rules, of course). If you would like to live in a society where you can't do that, where other religions aren't tolerated (I'm atheist btw), women are treated like st and brutal capital punishment still exists, feel free to live in an Islamic country.Ramadan Kareem brothers and sisters
I was in Marrakech for a few days years ago during Ramadan. The Jemaa El-Fna was a sight to behold after the nearby Koutoubia mosque made it's last call. We made sure we got there a little early and had ordered before the masses descended. I have no idea how anyone goes that long without water in that heat, I think that would give me more trouble than the food aspect.
Stormfly1985 said:
Emanresu said:
I'm surprised any muslims bother to post on this website anymore given the attitudes of many of the posters and the failure of the website management to do anything about it. I converted to Islam a few years ago and it really let's you see how some people are.
Ramadan Kareem brothers and sisters
Well, that's one of the benefits of living in a free society - people can post their views on here (within the rules, of course). If you would like to live in a society where you can't do that, where other religions aren't tolerated (I'm atheist btw), women are treated like st and brutal capital punishment still exists, feel free to live in an Islamic country.Ramadan Kareem brothers and sisters
sc0tt said:
Oh so basically make it up as you go along then.
More sky fairy nonsense.
My mother use to say if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all.More sky fairy nonsense.
When I put on my post I was concerned that some may not see it as an opportunity to further their understanding, a shame really and only feeds the anger that leads to atrocity.
Thank you to those that continue to explain.
Spotted a chap at work Photoshopping a bunch of mosque photos the other day and asked what he was up to as he seemed to be making it into a pattern.
He was making a template for a Ramadan Advent Calendar which seems a bit like torture when your kids are starving hungry
He brought in some photos of the finished article and it's better than anything I could do.
He was making a template for a Ramadan Advent Calendar which seems a bit like torture when your kids are starving hungry
He brought in some photos of the finished article and it's better than anything I could do.
I'm not religious but have been in the gulf 6yrs and the mrs is Muslim so I'm observing the fast this year.to be completely honest it to prove a point, i.e that I can do it. She will be finishing work at 2pm and likely snooze til near sunset. I'll be working outdoors for the next 2 weeks doing normal hours. Odds slightly stacked but that's that. Hardest is going to be abstaining from alcohol, came home today absolutely gasping for a cold lager!
Used to be a decent thread for Ramadan most years but I guess it will be much quieter this year. Shame.
Ramadan Kareem to you all.
Used to be a decent thread for Ramadan most years but I guess it will be much quieter this year. Shame.
Ramadan Kareem to you all.
Stormfly1985 said:
Well, that's one of the benefits of living in a free society - people can post their views on here (within the rules, of course). If you would like to live in a society where you can't do that, where other religions aren't tolerated (I'm atheist btw), women are treated like st and brutal capital punishment still exists, feel free to live in an Islamic country.
Such as the USA, and China you mean? A facetious answer of course, but primary religion in a country has little bearing on whether capital punishment exists. Don't be unpleasant, and with that, free speech is a wonderful thing, until you use it to drag down your fellow man, then it is the speech of division and of hatred, polarisation if you will, which helps no-one except the speaker.
Likewise, and because it is within the rules, the old rule for life 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should' should be your buffer.
For the record, even Saudi has tolerance for other religions, albeit not to be practiced openly, not with any artifact or symbol that is not Islamic.
Apologies, this is meant to be a thread about Ramadan, typically there is a sidetrack from the contingent who cannot be nice or better, be quiet.
Not long until sundown now guys.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff