Re: Islamically can you join a national army...
so what do you think about saum[fasting].
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يَايُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءامَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-
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So clearly it is for training purposes:
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ايَّامًا مَعْدُودَتٍ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا اوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ ايَّامٍ اُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَانْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ اِنْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.
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When to do is also given...
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اُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ اِلَى نِسَايْكُمْ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَكُمْ وَانْتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَهُنَّ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ انَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ انفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنْكُمْ فَالءنَ بَشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ الْخَيْطُ الْابْيَضُ مِنْ الْخَيْطِ الْاسْوَدِ مِنْ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ اتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ اِلَى الَّيْلِ وَلَا تُبَشِرُوهُنَّ وَانْتُمْ عَكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَجِد¯ِ تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ ءايَتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. God knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what God Hath ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by) God: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth God make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.**
Saum is for daytime and what not to do is described...
CLEARLY DEFINED in the QURAN... your question?