A question for everyone,
1.What does Ramadan mean ?
2.It’s purpose?..
3.and do you find it difficult to deal with in your daily routine?
Here Chris...alll you want to know is right here...happy reading:)
httpp:// islam.about.com/cs/ramadan/httpp:// islam.about.com/cs/ramadan/
sorry dear,your link was invalid.
i do know of islamiccity.com..but was wanting personal referrence on how others felt and thought of Ramadan.
P.tiger thankyou,as always your a great resource…:k: 
and friend…
Pleasure!
sorry chris...maybe i cut and paste in a hurry..my apologies...:)
Just a question or tow on ramadan. I know that food, drink (intentionally) break's one's fast-as does any sexual activity-but is there anything else that either (1) breaks or (2) invalidates the fast.
Just a question or tow on ramadan. I know that food, drink (intentionally) break's one's fast-as does any sexual activity-but is there anything else that either (1) breaks or (2) invalidates the fast.
...but was wanting personal referrence on how others felt and thought of Ramadan.
I believe you asked for personal opinions and not cut-and-pastes. :)
In my case, like millions of others, the concept of fasting came very early in life. We see our parents fasting the whole month and are fascinated by the whole concept. Much before the obligatory age of fasting, many kids insist on starting the fast. Their parents oblige by waking them up at sehri time (before sunrise) to allow them to join the whole family in the meal. Due to their young age, kids are invited to have "three shift ka roza", which basically means that they are not supposed to eat or drink during the three meals (sehri, lunch and iftaari). This gets them started and ofcourse, at an appropriate age (between 7 and 10) the kids are accustomed to the routine and are ready for the full day of fasting. Fasting is not an "option" but rather is "mandatory", unless you are travelling or are otherwise unhealthy.
Personally, even throughout the year, I have rather irregular eating habits, so fasting all day is basically very normal. To others whom I have explained the concept of fasting, sometimes, show amazement that how can you not eat and drink the whole day. However, once you get started on fasting, its basically quite simple and is not tough at all. In practical terms, I inform my office collegues that I will not be joining them for any lunches and explain to them the reason. With greater emphasis being placed on religious sensitivities, especially concerning muslims and islam in the post 9/11, the start of ramadan is generally very well-publicized so the awareness is already there. In the absense of taking a lunch break, I usually leave the office earlier to be with the family for the breaking of fast (sunset) which is called the "iftaar" time.
The bigger change in Ramadan is the extra emphasis on prayers, especially the taraweeh. There are offered late at night after the "Isha prayers" and take approximately 1 hour to 2 hours. These are actually a gift of Al-Mighty for the muslims. In many cases, during the 28 days of taraweeh, a whole quran is recited. To those who are regular in taraweeh prayers every night, the completion of quran (generally on the 27th night) is a matter of great satisfaction.
An ever bigger change is in the attitude and behavior. During Ramadan, most muslims are much milder in their inter-personal behavior. They will tend to be more fore-giving, polite and will avoid heated arguments. One reason is ofcourse the limited energy but more importantly this month is teaching us humility and purpose of life, which is to obey Allah and work to make our after-life a success. In that perspective, the daily chores and disagreements tend to appear quite inconsequential in the big picture.
It is our belief that any good deed done in the month of Ramadan is rewarded 70 times by the Almighty. Thats an incentive to do as many good deeds as possible.
The day after Ramadan is over, is a day of celebration (Eid-ul-Fitr) for all muslims, especially those who have taken the most advantage of the blessings of the month of Ramadan. The preparation for the celebrations, new clothes and stuff, are carried out much earlier, and this is an especially joyous occassion for the kids, as they get loads of gifts from their elders.
All in all, its one of the most special times in a muslim calendar.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by mo_best: *
Just a question or tow on ramadan. I know that food, drink (intentionally) break's one's fast-as does any sexual activity-but is there anything else that either (1) breaks or (2) invalidates the fast.
[/QUOTE]
Other than that :-
Masturbation, Remaining in Janabat or Hayz or Nifas till the Adhan for Fajr prayers, vomiting intentionally and
Ascribing false things to Almighty Allah or his Prophet
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Faisal: *
*...but was wanting personal referrence on how others felt and thought of Ramadan.**
I believe you asked for personal opinions and not cut-and-pastes. :)
In my case, like millions of others, the concept of fasting came very early in life. We see our parents fasting the whole month and are fascinated by the whole concept. Much before the obligatory age of fasting, many kids insist on starting the fast.
This gets them started and ofcourse, at an appropriate age (between 7 and 10) the kids are accustomed to the routine and are ready for the full day of fasting.
In the absense of taking a lunch break, I usually leave the office earlier to be with the family for the breaking of fast (sunset) which is called the "iftaar" time.
The bigger change in Ramadan is the extra emphasis on prayers, especially the taraweeh. There are offered late at night after the "Isha prayers" and take approximately 1 hour to 2 hours. These are actually a gift of Al-Mighty for the muslims. In many cases, during the 28 days of taraweeh, a whole quran is recited. To those who are regular in taraweeh prayers every night, the completion of quran (generally on the 27th night) is a matter of great satisfaction.
The preparation for the celebrations, new clothes and stuff, are carried out much earlier, and this is an especially joyous occassion for the kids, as they get loads of gifts from their elders.
[/QUOTE]
Faisal...
Thankyou for such an open personal opinion on this subject, which is what i was hoping for.
You mentioned the fascination of the children as they see their parents go through this.To me this seems strange in a way,for in my society of course,children are granted their every whim...and many would never give up food.But i can understand that if started at a young age,they seem to want to follow the example of those around them. Yet,one can't help but wonder, is it the thought of gifts at the end of the Ramadan that makes the children follow the fasting..?
I am surprised you are permitted to leave work for prayer time, for most persons in america this would not be acceptable and would be reason for termination of employment......
I personally was raised as a christian...and even in my christianity there was no full emphasis given,or that stuck with me in saying prayers on a continuous basis.I commend all muslims who follow their beleifs,for those particlularly here in u.s., where such things must be a struggle.
One question does arise though,.....what about the persons who work in the intense heat,or who are in the service,or industries where there is much dust ....which creates a dry throat?Im assuming there are some allowance for certain persons,or there will become more health issues arising.......
To my other guppy friends here,...what are your thoughts on Ramadan....what does it mean to you....do you find it hard to keep up with what is expected of you?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by chris_wazir: *
You mentioned the fascination of the children as they see their parents go through this.To me this seems strange in a way,for in my society of course,children are granted their every whim...and many would never give up food.But i can understand that if started at a young age,they seem to want to follow the example of those around them. Yet,one can't help but wonder, is it the thought of gifts at the end of the Ramadan that makes the children follow the fasting..?
[/QUOTE]
I don't believe that gifts are an incentive for kids to fast. For one, kids get gifts (or "eidi" as it is called) no matter whether they fast or not. Especially at a young age. Secondly, kids (most kids, i.e.) want to emulate their parents or grown-ups and join in grown-up activities; and fasting seems like a very grown-up activity. Atleast that is how I felt, others may disagree.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by chris_wazir: *
I am surprised you are permitted to leave work for prayer time, for most persons in america this would not be acceptable and would be reason for termination of employment......
[/QUOTE]
Not only in Ramadan, but also on Fridays (every week) I take a longer lunch break because we have our weekly Friday prayers. This doesn't mean I work less than anyone, it just means I take a longer lunch break and work later in the day to complete whatever I am doing. Similarly, in Ramadan, I keep working throughout the lunch hour and so take off early. My working hours remain the same. Ofcourse it all depends on the sort of work each of us do and this is by no means a modus operendi for everyone. Each of us, prioritizes their activities and perform accordingly. If something urgent comes along, I can just break the fast in the office, and don't have to rush home. So its all pretty flexible.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by chris_wazir: *
I personally was raised as a christian...and even in my christianity there was no full emphasis given,or that stuck with me in saying prayers on a continuous basis.I commend all muslims who follow their beleifs,for those particlularly here in u.s., where such things must be a struggle.
[/QUOTE]
I have met many people here, who call themselves CEO christians (a term I first time heard here). It means "Christmas Easter Only", i.e. these guys don't participate in any prayers but do go to the church on these two occassions. It just means that each of us has a different set of priorities, and to some praying to God is probably lower on the list than earning more money or watching the Giants game or spending time with their loved one. Its a personal choice. Those who take a broader approach to the purpose of life tend to be a bit more philosophical about all this and apportion a higher amount of time preparing for the after-life.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by chris_wazir: *
One question does arise though,.....what about the persons who work in the intense heat,or who are in the service,or industries where there is much dust ....which creates a dry throat?Im assuming there are some allowance for certain persons,or there will become more health issues arising.......
[/QUOTE]
There are, in fact, certain exemptions to fasting. I am not entirely sure that hard labor is one of them. Some scholars may have issued some rulings on this. But, no doubt, anyone suffering from some ailment which requires continuous medicine is exempt, and travellers are also exempt. Old people are also, by and large, have it as optional. I do know for a fact, that many people in Pakistan, who do hard labor, do not fast. They are mostly low wage workers and don't have an option not to work during the ramadan and at the same time, the vigors of their vocation renders it practically impossible for them to fast. I presume, though am not sure, that there are solutions to such issues.