ramadan mubarak

TommyKnocker

Just wishing all Muslims Ramadan Mubarak

Tom Dunne

Or, as they say in this neck of the woods, Ramadam Kareem.

Not quite sure what the difference is.

TommyKnocker

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Or, as they say in this neck of the woods, Ramadam Kareem.

Not quite sure what the difference is.

From Yahoo Answers

Ramadan Mubarak means Congratulations it's Ramadan...(basically) we say congrats because we are excited for this time and all the blessings it brings.

Ramadan Kareem means Generous Ramadan because it is a generous time, we get many blessings and we see all the things we are to be thankful for. We also give charity during Ramadan (and should all year long).

GerB40

TommyKnocker wrote: »

From Yahoo Answers

Ramadan Mubarak means Congratulations it's Ramadan...(basically) we say congrats because we are excited for this time and all the blessings it brings.

Ramadan Kareem means Generous Ramadan because it is a generous time, we get many blessings and we see all the things we are to be thankful for. We also give charity during Ramadan (and should all year long).

Well personally I wouldn't be able to do it but best of luck to all involved..

Jude13

Ramadam Kareem!! (told by the ladies in the office to use that instead of mubarak)

It's a little stricter this year for some reason. You can get imprisoned for drinking or eating in public or your car for 2 days up to 30 days (or the end of Ramadan).

Always a quieter time in the office and a deadlier time on the roads.

Dozen Wicked Words

Harder for those in this neck of the woods this year because it's earlier in the summer, longer days meaning longer fast.

People with certain conditions (like diabetes) can be excused from fasting if they talk with their local scholars or imam.

Tom Dunne

GerB40 wrote: »

Well personally I wouldn't be able to do it but best of luck to all involved..

And remember, here in the Middle East, there is a relatively even balance between night and day at this time of year. Sunrise this morning was at 4:45 and sunset is at 6:30pm.

Give some thought to those observing Ramadan in the likes of Ireland/UK who have to be up before dawn (what time is that now - 4:30am?) and cannot eat until after dusk (again - what, 10:00pm?). I really admire their tenacity.

TommyKnocker

Tom Dunne wrote: »

And remember, here in the Middle East, there is a relatively even balance between night and day at this time of year. Sunrise this morning was at 4:45 and sunset is at 6:30pm.

Give some thought to those observing Ramadan in the likes of Ireland/UK who have to be up before dawn (what time is that now - 4:30am?) and cannot eat until after dusk (again - what, 10:00pm?). I really admire their tenacity.

I asked about this in the forum here and confusedquark advised that fasting starts at the Fajr prayer which is around 02:45 in Ireland during Ramadan, though not sure whether it is before or after Fajr prayer, but I am assuming before as eat, pray and start fast sounds more logical. Sunrise throughout the whole of the holy month of Ramadan is just before 05:00. Sunset is around 22:00, so that means a fast of 19 hours :eek::eek:

Although I am nor Muslim I was thinking of trying the fasting for the experience. I am up each day at 04:15 and thought I would have breakfast before "Sunrise" and then fast until 22:00 and eat just before heading to bed. But getting up at 02:15 to eat and drink water and then try to get back to sleep to get up again at 04:15, I don't think I would be able to do that. Although the 19 hours without food or water I imagine would be tough I think the times you have to eat, between 22:00 and 02:45 is what would make it most difficult. And with less sleep due to interrupted sleep, I would be like a maniac for the month :o

Dozen Wicked Words

Just the 22 hours fast in St Petersburg. Shouldn't be too bad.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/18/ramadan-in-st-petersburg-the-city-where-the-sun-doesnt-set

Jude13

TommyKnocker wrote: »

I asked about this in the forum here and confusedquark advised that fasting starts at the Fajr prayer which is around 02:45 in Ireland during Ramadan, though not sure whether it is before or after Fajr prayer, but I am assuming before as eat, pray and start fast sounds more logical. Sunrise throughout the whole of the holy month of Ramadan is just before 05:00. Sunset is around 22:00, so that means a fast of 19 hours :eek::eek:

Although I am nor Muslim I was thinking of trying the fasting for the experience. I am up each day at 04:15 and thought I would have breakfast before "Sunrise" and then fast until 22:00 and eat just before heading to bed. But getting up at 02:15 to eat and drink water and then try to get back to sleep to get up again at 04:15, I don't think I would be able to do that. Although the 19 hours without food or water I imagine would be tough I think the times you have to eat, between 22:00 and 02:45 is what would make it most difficult. And with less sleep due to interrupted sleep, I would be like a maniac for the month :o

Imagine being in some Nordic countries :eek:

There's a young lady in the office 6 months pregnant, exempt from fasting but is doing it anyway. It's my seventh Ramadan here but my OH's first. She has to review her attire before going to work today, no more t shirts.

Dozen Wicked Words

Jude13 wrote: »

Imagine being in some Nordic countries :eek:

There's a young lady in the office 6 months pregnant, exempt from fasting but is doing it anyway. It's my seventh Ramadan here but my OH's first. She has to review her attire before going to work today, no more t shirts.

6 months pregnant and still choosing to fast? Someone needs to advise her better.

Tom Dunne

Dozen Wicked Words wrote: »

6 months pregnant and still choosing to fast? Someone needs to advise her better.

I fully agree.

And it's very important to remember - nobody would give it a second thought if she abstained from fasting, that I can say with 100% certainty.

Jude13

I know, I don't feel in a position to say anything. 1. Im not a doctor 2. I'm not muslim 3. She is crazy pregnant lady

Tom Dunne

Jude13 wrote: »

I don't feel in a position to say anything.

You just have:

Jude13 wrote: »

She is crazy pregnant lady

:pac:

Jude13

Ha I know, even if I was Muslim and a doctor I wouldn't. Prior to her pregnancy we were afraid to change the AC settings as she would eat us.

I fly on the 16th July for a holiday, I think that may be the end of Ramadan.

Jude13

Ahh I just checked the Etihad lounge will be dry on the 16 July

Dozen Wicked Words

Jude13 wrote: »

I know, I don't feel in a position to say anything. 1. Im not a doctor 2. I'm not muslim 3. She is crazy pregnant lady

Yeah sorry, didn't mean you advise her!

Jude13

No worries, I didn't mean it as a retort

wes

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone.

Old Perry

So i dont know much about ramadan. can someone give bit more info on it. i undrstand the not eating and also doing good deeds but what else is there. can smokers smoke? Whats said about it in religious texts? what do muslims think of it in general? would many not partake?
Do all types of muslims acknowlege it? if i said i was sitting here with a dairy milk and a glass of wine would u be jealous?

interesting to know its actually from sunrise to sunset. always assumed that meant 6 to 6 and not actually sun up/down.

Tom Dunne

I can only give a non-Muslim perspective.

Old Perry wrote: »

can smokers smoke?

No, smoking is forbidden, as is chewing gum and sexual activity.

Old Perry wrote: »

would many not partake?

It is up to the individual, and I have only recently learned that if, for whatever reason, a person does not fast on day X (or a number of days), that person can "make it up" at a later date. Case in point - a good friend of mine was fasting last Monday and Tuesday, so I asked why as Ramadan had not started. He replied that he had to "make up the days". I never got to explore that further with him, I must ask him next time I see him.

Also, there are special exemptions for example pregnant women.

Old Perry wrote: »

Do all types of muslims acknowlege it? if i said i was sitting here with a dairy milk and a glass of wine would u be jealous?

No, not all Muslims acknowledge it. I recall last year, going for a swim at a private club during Ramadan. I went inside to grab some breakfast, this was probably about 10:00am, and I was shocked to see a few of the locals in there not only eating, but having a beer!

So I think it is no different to our own culture - some people are devout, some people are not, lots of contradictions.

Limerick91

Just two random questions.

My barber is Muslim and he gave me a hair product as a present for Christmas. We get on pretty well and I was wondering would it be appropriate to give a small gift at the end of Ramadan, maybe a cake or something like that.

Also yeterday I wished him a blessed ramadam, I presume that was an acceptable wish

Thanks

Jude13

Here we give dates as presents at Eid. I did however get our PRO some aftershave as he had helped me out with a car issue.

Tom Dunne

Limerick91 wrote: »

Just two random questions.

My barber is Muslim and he gave me a hair product as a present for Christmas. We get on pretty well and I was wondering would it be appropriate to give a small gift at the end of Ramadan, maybe a cake or something like that.

I would say most certainly. On the first day of Eid, which is when Ramadan ends.

Limerick91 wrote: »

Also yeterday I wished him a blessed ramadam, I presume that was an acceptable wish

Absolutely. I think he would appreciate the sentiment, no matter how it is phrased.

silverharp

apparently crime goes up during Ramadan, people tend to get extra cranky they have even noticed the effect in some British cities.

Tom Dunne

silverharp wrote: »

apparently crime goes up during Ramadan, people tend to get extra cranky they have even noticed the effect in some British cities.

I would be intrigued for any reputable sources you have on this.

I would in fact suggest that the opposite is true, as people are tired and hungry and more interested in spending time with family.

silverharp

Tom Dunne wrote: »

I would be intrigued for any reputable sources you have on this.

I would in fact suggest that the opposite is true, as people are tired and hungry and more interested in spending time with family.

reliable or hyped I dont know seems reasonable to believe people could act oddly if they are not watered or fed

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2014/07/07/ramadan-rage-how-crime-increases-during-the-muslim-holy-month/

Short-temperedness doesn’t just affect abstainers during the first few days of self-denial; rather, irritability increases continuously throughout the month, leading to shorter and shorter fuses as Eid al-Fitr, the blow-out party to mark the end of the fast, approaches. It is perhaps no surprise then that antisocial behaviour and domestic abuse surge throughout the Muslim world in the Holy Month.

One of the most expansive studies of this annual crime wave in Algeria revealed petty crime increased by a staggering 220 percent during Ramadan. Fights, disputes and assaults rose by 320 percent and instances of women and children being beaten at home increased by 120 percent. In addition, there was a 410 percent increase in accidents of various kinds and an 80 percent increase in deaths.

The findings of the Algerian study are widely corroborated. From Egypt to Indonesia, recorded violent crime increases by incredible percentages throughout the fast. In addition, Ramadan exacerbates other social problems and spawns specific crimes all its own: offenses not generally seen at other times of the year. Child traffickers in Yemen, for example, take advantage of the increase in food prices to purchase children from poor parents.

Non-Muslims are targeted for not observing the fast; church burnings are a given during Ramadan. But it’s not just religious minorities in Muslim countries who are attacked: it happens here, too. In 2010, a man was brutally beaten in Tower Hamlets by a gang of young Muslim men for not observing Ramadan. He was battered unconscious and left with serious injuries. No one was charged over the incident, leading to accusations that the police suppressed evidence because they feared being accused of “racism” or “islamophobia.”

In Muslim countries, governments prepare for Ramadan by boosting police patrols and carrying out public awareness campaigns about crime and the increase in accidents that is also a regular fixture of the fast. Of course, the emergency services in the U.K., hamstrung by political correctness, are more reticent to publicly acknowledge the challenges posed by Ramadan.

That’s not to say there aren’t figures available, if you dig for them: a study by the Accident and Emergency Department of St Mary’s Hospital, London in 1994 revealed a significant rise in the number of Muslims attending accident and emergency in Ramadan. This increase in road traffic accidents and other sorts of unfortunate incidents is hardly surprising, given that sustained fasting dramatically affects cognitive function.

The rigours of fasting are particularly difficult for British Muslims, who have to endure longer periods without food and water than those closer to the equator. It’s even worse for Muslims in Scandinavia: there are parts of northern Norway where the sun never sets in summer.

The NHS, of course, makes no mention of all this in their official Ramadan guidance, though it does warn that people on peritoneal dialysis shouldn’t fast but “should perform fidyah,” a religious donation to the poor, instead. The guidance says that while withholding food and water for 19 hours to children under the age of seven or eight isn’t “advisable,” it can be “tolerated differently, depending on the attitude of the parents.”

British police, too, are notorious for their “soft-touch” approach to policing Ramadan. The Greater Manchester Police in England have been widely criticised over the last decade for giving lip service to the problem of drunk and drugged-up Muslim gangs, who have for years descended on the Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Rusholme each year, racing their cars up and down the High Street.

Every year, the police force requests that “anyone wishing to bring or cause problems” should stay away; every year, ugly scenes return to the city. In 2012, a Muslim man taking part in the celebrations used his car as a weapon in an attempted murder.

The Manchester force’s reluctance to take a firm stance on Eid celebrations shouldn’t surprise us: they once even ordered officers not to arrest Muslims at prayer times during Ramadan, a concession not awarded to any other religion and one that was later rescinded after sustained public outrage about how blatantly the force was awarding special treatment to one faith.

Only in Bradford, England have the police admitted that the Holy Month produces an increase in crime. They have been advised by local community leaders that the increase is probably down to youths “taking advantage of the fact their parents could be occupied with observing Ramadan.”

But that doesn’t tell the whole story, because it’s grown-ups too. Last week, Asian Image, a newspaper that bills itself as “the voice of the British Asian” painted a vivid word picture of verbally abusive parents, road rage, angry smokers, zombified fasters and domestic abuse around last year’s holy festivities.

Tom Dunne

silverharp wrote: »

reliable or hyped I dont know seems reasonable to believe people could act oddly if they are not watered or fed

Absolutely, so what they do is pretty much stop doing anything.

Another interesting fact at this time of year is that the economy pretty much shuts down. There is little traffic on the roads, all establishments that serve food are closed and there are reduced working hours. I'm home by 3:00pm every day.

So yes, people get noticeably irritated towards the end of the day, but I think that piece you quote above is somewhat hyperbolic and relies more on hearsay than fact.

TommyKnocker

Jude13 wrote: »

Here we give dates as presents at Eid. I did however get our PRO some aftershave as he had helped me out with a car issue.

From what I have read folks observing the holy month of Ramadan break their fast each evening with dates and water, then pray the Maghrib prayer and then eat a proper meal. So would they not be sick of the sight of dates at the end of Ramadan?

larryone

Being sick of dates is a thing?

That said, we tend to break our fast with one or two dates - I've seen some people wolfing down fistfuls at iftar.
I'd imagine it could get old after a while if you were eating so many.

Tom Dunne

I know I would be sick of dates after 40 days.

They are exceptionally sweet.

hamza81

Hi Tom, It is more difficult this year as we have shorter days and longer nights. I feel sorry for Muslims in Iceland who have to fast for 22 hours but you would be surprised how quick the body adapts. After 4 days or so I feel very good. It is like a month long detox.

The mistake many Muslims make is that we don't prepare for Ramadan fasting. We eat like normal all year around and then when Ramadan comes around we suddenly fast for 30 days and that is why the first few days are quite hard. The best way to do it is as the Prophet did which was to phase in fasting gradually leading upto Ramadan. That way one does not feel the negative affects during the first few days.

So if you want to feel what it is like to fast then phase it in. Fast for 6 hours one day. Then 10 another day. Then 14 and then a full fast. By phasing it in you will allow your body time to adapt. Hope that helps.

hamza81

TommyKnocker wrote: »

From what I have read folks observing the holy month of Ramadan break their fast each evening with dates and water, then pray the Maghrib prayer and then eat a proper meal. So would they not be sick of the sight of dates at the end of Ramadan?

Hi Tommy,

No I wouldn't say so unless one was binging on dates throughout the month. We normally have between 1-3 dates when opening fast and that's it. Dates are the perfect way of opening the fast as they are packed to the brim with all the vitamins and nutrients a person needs.

hamza81

silverharp wrote: »

reliable or hyped I dont know seems reasonable to believe people could act oddly if they are not watered or fed

Just looking at the source of where you got that article from says it all. Please be more open minded and do not take your knowledge of the world from liars and deceivers.

Actually during Ramadan one feels generally more calm and at peace with ones self as it is a very spiritual month and a time of reflection and self betterment.

That is not to say that everyone will be angels all of the time as we are all humans.

hamza81

Old Perry wrote: »

So i dont know much about ramadan. can someone give bit more info on it. i undrstand the not eating and also doing good deeds but what else is there. can smokers smoke? Whats said about it in religious texts? what do muslims think of it in general? would many not partake?
Do all types of muslims acknowlege it? if i said i was sitting here with a dairy milk and a glass of wine would u be jealous?

interesting to know its actually from sunrise to sunset. always assumed that meant 6 to 6 and not actually sun up/down.

Some very good questions.

God says in the Qur'an about fasting:

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so

that you may guard (against evil).


The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur'an, guidance for mankind, and clear

proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present,

let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same)

number of other days. Allah desires ease for you; He does not desire hardship for you; and (He

desires) that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided

you, and that peradventure you may be thankful.

Qur'an (2:183-185)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said about fasting: "All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting. [Fasting] is for me and and I reward for it [what I please]" (Sahih Muslim)

Al-Ghazālī who was a great scholar of the past writes that God (swt) has given the action of fasting an extra degree of honor, by attributing it to Himself, in two ways

Firstly, fasting is a hidden act of worship; no one is actually able to see you fast. This fact guards one’s intention from being corrupted, unlike prayer, charity and, Hajj (pilgrimage).

Secondly, fasting is an act by which one subdues the devil. Recall, the devil’s capacity is only exercised via one’s desires. By abstaining from food, drink, and intimacy, a Muslim is able to control his desires and hinder the effects of the devil. By defeating the devil, one aids in bringing victory to God (swt), i.e., God’s religion:

“O you who have believed, if you support Allah , He will support you and plant firmly your feet” (Qu’ran 47:7).

In the commentary of al-Jalālayn, we find that bringing victory to God (swt) means bringing victory to His religion and Messenger ﷺ.

After elaborating on the merits of fasting, followed by rules of fasting, al-Ghazālī discusses the methodology by which we can realize the fruits of fasting.

Fasting is practiced at one of three levels:

(1) the level of the lay people,

(2) the level of the elect, and

(3) the level of the elect of the elect.

The fasting of the laity, the lowest level of fasting, involves merely following the outward rulings of fasting. Fasting at the next level up involves fasting with one’s limbs (the present article will elaborate on this level as it is the most relevant). The third level of fasting involves being physically, spiritually, and intellectually occupied with one’s lord without breaking consciousness from this state for even a moment. This includes fasting with one’s heart and mind.

The second level of fasting involves six things:

1. Fasting with one’s sight.

One should abstain from looking at things that are disliked (makrūh) or illicit (harām). This includes things that distract one’s heart from the remembrance of God (swt).

2. Fasting with one’s tongue.

While fasting, one should not lie, backbite, slander, use obscene language, quarrel with others, speak insincerely, or engage in idle chatter. Rather, one should try to spend more time being silent, remembering their Lord, and reciting His book.

3. Fasting with one’s ears.

One should refrain from listening to things that are disliked (makrūh) or forbidden (harām). Al-Ghazālī mentions that anything which is forbidden to say is forbidden to listen to. In the Qur’ān, God juxtaposes those who engage in listening to lies with those who consume what is unlawful [5:42].

4. Keeping the remainder of one’s body parts (e.g. hands, feet) from engaging in blameworthy acts.

Hopefully this is not an issue for any of us, but speaking to such a wide audience, al-Ghazālī warns people of consuming from that which is unlawful. After all, doing so defeats the whole purpose of fasting.

5. Do not overeat.

Everyone knows they shouldn’t, but we all do. Al-Ghazālī advises against overeating when it comes to breaking one’s fast. After all, the point of fasting is to control one’s desires. What has one gained if they end up binging in one (or several) meals and make up for what they’ve managed to hold off on. Moreover, as al-Ghazālī mentions, many of us deck out our dining tables with such an assortment like we are trying to eat the food pyramids of Giza. And you know someone is going to get the wrath if the samosas run out. So much for keeping the devil at bay.

6. After breaking one’s fast, one should balance a feeling of hope and fear.

One should be hopeful that one’s fast has been accepted by God yet also be fearful that the fast may have been lacking. In short, one should not become overly confident because the quality of one’s fast will slowly dwindle.

Yes, fulfilling the outward aspects of fasting will make one’s act valid. But we should be concerned with more than just that, as al-Ghazālī mentions. At a higher level, in consideration of the Hereafter, we should be concerned with the act being accepted and the objectives being fulfilled, in addition to it being valid. In al-Ghazālī’s understanding, the objective of the fast is embodying one of the attributes of God, al-Samadiyya, namely, being resistant, enduring, and mastering our desires. In this way we follow the example of the angels who are above having desires.

The beauty of Ramadan is not only to be found after the sun has set. The struggles of fasting have their own share of beauty and spirituality. As al-Shaykh Shabīr Ahmad al-ʿUthmānī writes in his renowned commentary of Sahīh Muslim, we bear the toils of fasting for the sole purpose of gaining God’s pleasure.3

Finally, al-Ghazālī leaves us by posing a question we should all ask ourselves. Fasting, and every act of worship included, has both an outward and inward realization. Will we be satisfied with fulfilling the outward, or will be strive towards realizing the inward beauty?

silverharp

this kind of stuff shows that Islam has a lot to do to move from the 7th century to the 21st. why people put up with it is beyond me " there is no compulsion in Islam" :pac:



http://en.trend.az/iran/society/2413070.html

By Khalid Kazimov – Trend:

A judiciary official of the Iranian city of Shiraz, Fars province said since the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan (which started June 18), some 500 people have been arrested around the city for breaking their fasting regulations.

The official, who wished to remain anonymous, said in the meantime 2500 people were given verbal advice to observe Ramadan regulations.

He said the 500 people were arrested by the police or Basij members, adding that 20 people were warned of prosection, while the rest were to be given verdicts within 24 hours, ISNA news agency reported July 1.

The source did not mention the verdicts, however last year two people in Shiraz were lashed for breaking the fasting regulations.

Other reports indicated that people also have been arrested for breaking regulations in public and in cars.

It is said that according to the law in Iran, people who break their fasts in public are liable to between 10 to 60 days in prison or 74 lashes.

Tom Dunne

silverharp wrote: »

this kind of stuff shows that Islam has a lot to do to move from the 7th century to the 21st. why people put up with it is beyond me " there is no compulsion in Islam"

You always have to remember two things:

1: these societies are deeply religious, the whole separation of state and church as we see it in the West simply does not even register as a possibility

2: I have found during my time in the Middle East that you simply cannot trust the local media. They will unquestioningly peddle the line of whatever regime they are supporting and give no thought to "updating" the facts. So what possibly happened in this case is that 2 or 3 people were caught, warned/sanctioned/whatever, but to "put the message out there" figures were inflated to ensure a subtle threat of consequences is dangled in front of the population to ensure compliance. Pure and utter conjecture on my part, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility.