Interfaith : Everybody share your religious or personal views about fasting ,

Tomorrow the 13th, the Holy month of Ramadan starts , we muslim will fast for 30 days , for all the Muslims on the forum , Ramadan Kareem!

let me begin with the Islamic view on fasting to start this topic :

Shaikh Al-'Uthaimeen writes in the book : Source:Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan [pgs. 41-43] Abridged :

From the wisdom of fasting is that: It is an act of worship done for Allaah, in which the ‘abd (servant) draws closer to His Lord by abandoning the things that he loves and desires, such as food, drink and sexual intercourse. So because of this, the truthfulness of his Faith and the completeness of his servitude to Allaah become apparent, as well as his love for Allaah and his longing for what Allaah has prepared for him (of good). This is since the one who fasts does not abandon something that is beloved to him except for that which is greater to him than it (which is Allaah). When the believer knows that Allaah’s contentment lies in the fasting - which is abandoning those desires that he naturally loves - he will give his Lord’s contentment precedence over his desires. So he abandons his desires no matter how much he longs and yearns for them, because his delight and the tranquility of his soul lies in his abandoning all that for the sake of Allaah.

And from the wisdom behind fasting is that it is a means of attaining Taqwaa, as Allaah says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, in order that you gain Taqwaa." This is since a person who is fasting is commanded to do the obligatory duties and to avoid sinful acts. The Prophet (saws) said: "Whoever does not abandon false speech, acting upon that (false speech) and (acts of) ignorance (i.e. sins), then Allaah has no need of him abandoning his food and drink." [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree] So when a person is fasting, every time he desires to do a sinful act, he will remember that he is fasting and thus withhold himself from that. This is why the Prophet (saws) ordered the person who is fasting, when cursed at and abused, to say: "I am fasting", cautioning him (the reviler) that a person fasting is commanded to refrain from cursing and reviling, and reminding himself that he is fasting and cannot react with cursing.

And from the wisdom behind fasting is that the heart opens to contemplation and remembrance (of Allaah). This is since fulfilling one’s desires leads to heedlessness and perhaps the heart becomes hardened and blinded from the truth. This is why the Prophet (saws) advised us to eat and drink little, where he said: "The Son of Aadam does not fill a vessel worse than his stomach." [Reported by Ahmad, An-Nasaa’ee and Ibn Maajah]

And in Saheeh Muslim, Handhala Al-Usaidee (raa), who was one of the scribes of Allaah’s Messenger, said to the Prophet (saws): "Handhala has become a hypocrite." So Allaah’s Messenger (saws) said: "Why is that?" He said: "O Messenger of Allaah, when we are with you, you remind us of the Hellfire and Paradise, as if we see them with our own eyes. But when we depart from you, we meet our wives and our children and our homes and we forget much (of what we heard from you)." In the last part of the hadeeth, the Prophet (saws) said to him: "But O Handhala, there is a time for this and a time for that (three times)." Abu Sulaymaan Ad-Daraanee said: "Indeed, when the soul hungers and thirsts, the heart softens and becomes pure. And when it is fed, the heart becomes blinded."

And from the wisdom behind fasting is that the person who has wealth is caused to realize the blessing of wealth that Allaah has bestowed on him, such that Allaah blessed him with food, drink and sexual intercourse. Many people are deprived of these things, so he should praise Allaah for these blessings and thank Him for granting him them. And he should remember his brother who is poor and who probably goes through the day starved and hungry. So he should be generous to him and give him charity so that he can clothe his barrenness and satisfy his hunger.

And from the wisdom behind fasting is that it trains one to curb the soul, and it gives one strength to withhold his soul by its bridle, such that one can govern it and lead it towards that which is good for it and what will make it prosper. This is because the soul commands one to do evil, except for those souls that my Lord has mercy on. So when a person undoes and lets go of his (soul’s) bridle, the soul lands him into many dangers. But when he controls it and curbs it, he is able to lead it to the highest of levels and the greatest of goals.

And from the wisdom of fasting is that the soul is broken down and restricted from having pride, to the point that it humbles itself to the truth and softens itself before the creation. This is because eating, drinking and having sexual intercourse with women - all of these things bring about insolence, arrogance, vanity and pride over people and over the truth. The soul preoccupies itself with trying to obtain these things because of its need for them. So when it obtains these things, the soul feels like it has conquered what it desired and so it falls into the happiness and proudness that is condemned. And this is a cause for its destruction. Only those whom Allaah protects are saved from this.

And from the wisdom behind fasting is that the passageways of blood (in the body) become narrow due to hunger and thirst, so therefore the passageways of the Devil in the human body also become narrower. This is since the Devil flows through the son of Adam like the flowing of blood, as is authentically recorded in the two Saheeh collections. So by fasting, the whisperings of the Devil are subdued and the strength of one’s desires and anger are subjugated. This is why the Prophet (saws) said: "O young men! Whoever amongst you can afford it, should get married, for it is the best means for lowering one’s gaze and the best way of keeping (one’s) private parts chaste. But whoever is not able to marry, then let him fast, for it has protection."

And from the wisdom behind fasting are the health benefits that come as a result of it, which are attained by in-taking little food, allowing the digestive system to rest for a specified time, which lets excess wastes and excrements that are harmful to the body be discharged.

So how great and profound is the wisdom of Allaah, and how beneficial are His commandments to His creatures!

O Allaah, give us comprehension of Your Religion and allow us to understand the inner secrets of Your commandments. Rectify for us the affairs of our Religion and our worldly life. And forgive us and our parents and all the Muslims, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful. And may the peace and blessings of Allaah be on Muhammad (saws) and on his family and all his Companions.

http://abdurrahman.org/ramadhan/thewisdombehindfasting.html

Share your views with us , share your religious/personal views on fasting !!!

(quotes from religious books with source pls )

Hi Abdullah, couple of questions for you from someone who is of no particular religion about your religion, if you don't mind.

1) If the Prophet (saws) said 'whoever is not able to marry, then let him fast', why is the fast observed by everyone, not just the unmarried? If you're married, aren't you already 'lowering your gaze and keeping chaste, therefore not needing to fast for protection from whisperings of the Devil to subdue them and subjugate the strength of one’s desires and anger?

2) Do children also fast? Is it harder for them?

3) What about people with medical conditions such as diabetes? Do they still fast or would this be dangerous?

4) Correct me if I'm wrong here... the fasting ceases as sunset? Does the abstension from sexual activity also cease then or is this part observed for the 30 days?

5) If a muslim were to not observe these key things, is there a recognised punishment/condemnation call it what you will.

I guess what I'm asking is, is the fasting from food, drink and (where applicable) sexual activity observed by all or are there exceptions?

Interested to know please, as this is a religion I am very unfamiliar with.

Thanks

I started fasting today; being my first Ramadan I was confused when the fast started. I was under the assumption the fast begins the night before? Is that correct? Anyhoo, I can go all day without food and no problem. I used to do it daily when I was going to school and working at the same time; but I was dying all day for water. That is going to be my test of faith because I drink at least five 16 ounce bottles of water a day .

A friend of mine is sending me dates so that I can break fast as the Prophet, sal allahu alahyi wa salaam, did.

The first question confused me but here is a list of who is exempt

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM SAWM?

Fasting is mandatory on every Muslim who is sane, adult, able and resident. The following exemptions apply:

1. the insane;
2. children who are not adolescent yet;
3. the elderly and chronically ill for whom fasting is unreasonably strenuous; Such persons are required to feed at least one poor person every day in Ramadan for which he or she has missed fasting.
4. pregnant women and nursing may postpone the fasting at a later time;
5. the ill and the travellers can also defer their fasting.
Allah says in the Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqara:

'But if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties.'

6. Women during the period of menstruation or of post childbirth confinement. Fasting during these periods is forbidden and should be made up later, a day for a day.

Source

Funny (in an odd way) how the islamic rules of fasting are so similar to the Jewish rules.

Not as funny as it seems. Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are all very similar.

I believe taking time to fast, health etc... permitting is very healthy for the mind,body and spirit! I don,t know that much about the Muslim faith, but is this also the time where many make a pilgrimage Mecca? I once saw a program on the pilgrimage and found it quite interesting! If anyone here has ever been on it i would be very interested to hear about your experirence!

We celebrate the fast from the light of day to the setting sun. I've done it twice and found it a real challenge in our society.
Its optional in our faith, as the demands of work sometimes does not allow us to fast.

I'm a tile setter, I do artistic mosaics and I treat my work as part of my worship of God. The demands of my work (as this time of the year I am booked with many jobs, its the 2nd busiest time of the year) would put my body in stress (with the heat of our days, its still hot here in the Okanagan).

So I partake in Ramadan when I'm able too. I pray for my friends who fast.

So after sunset you are allowed to eat and drink? I figured there had to be a period of time to take food and fluids or you wouldn,t make 30 days! And seeing your work as part of your worship of God is the absolute right way to view it! I am a Christian, and we are told to do our daily work and jobs honestly and to do our best, as even in that we are serving God! And yes i know how hot it gets in the Okanagan, i live in B.C. on the lower mainland but we used to vacation up there every summer, it,s one of my favorite places to be in summer! As long as i can be by the lakes up there and keep cool with a dip now and then!

It all depends on what part of the world you're in. For those that live above the arctic circle, I think fasting would prove to be very hard when periods of daylight can last 24 hours or more. I'm not quite sure how they do it.

Thank goodness I live closer to the equator lol. I fasted today from 5:51am to 7:41pm. Drinking is what got to me most. And you know how it goes. When you "cant" have something you want, you want it that much more . By the time of Maghrib prayer (7:41pm) my throat felt as if I swallowed sand. It is a humbling experience though. I thought a lot today how people all around the world go days without food or water, and here I am getting figidy because I couldn't drink for 14 hours.

Many Pagans fast on the day of a ritual then eat after. I usually have a light meal the day of because of my illness otherwise I get weak during the ritual.

When I was Pagan I used to fast for the Feast of All Souls and lay out pomegranates for my passed loved ones ^.^

1.the Hadith you mention is about fasting outside of ramadan , if a person is unmarried (especially the young) they might fall into adultery or other sins thats why its recommended for the young and other unmarried muslims to fast a couple of the days every week to refrain from such sins , but this refers to fasting outside of Ramadan , good question btw!





2. Children should be instructed to fast at the age of seven, if they are able to,



3.The insane are not responsible for their deeds (their deeds are not being recorded), but if a person is insane at times and sane at other times, he must fast during his periods of sanity, and is excused during his periods of insanity. If he becomes insane during the day, this does not invalidate his fast, just as is the case if someone becomes unconscious because of illness or some other reason, because he had the intention of fasting when he was sane. (Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan by Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, p.28). A similar case is the ruling governing epileptics.

If there is medical proof, or a person knows from his usual experience, or he is certain, that fasting will make his illness worse or delay his recovery, he is permitted to break his fast; indeed, it is disliked (makrooh) for him to fast in such cases. If a person is seriously ill, he does not have to have the intention during the night to fast the following day, even if there is a possibility that he may be well in the morning, because what counts is the present moment. - Shaikh al munajjid

The very elderly who have lost their strength and are getting weaker every day as death approaches, do not have to fast, and they are allowed not to fast so long as fasting would be too difficult for them. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say, concerning the aayah (interpretation of the meaning), “And as for those who can fast with difficulty (e.g., an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day)” [al-Baqarah 2:184]: “This has not been abrogated. It refers to the old man and the old woman who cannot fast, so they should feed a poor person for every day.” (Al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Tafseer, Baab Ayaaman Ma’doodaat…)

If a person’s reason for not fasting is obvious, such as illness, there is nothing wrong with him eating or drinking openly,

of course if a person cant fast because of his illness or because his medical condition doesnt allow him its not obligatory for this person to fast ,



4.It should be made clear in the first place that a husband can have sexual intercourse with his wife at night during the month of Ramadan. This ruling is very clear in the Qur’an. Allah says in the Qur’an : [It is made lawful for you to go unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are raiment for you and ye are raiment for them. Allah is aware that ye were deceiving yourselves in this respect and He hath turned in mercy toward you and relieved you. So hold intercourse with them and seek that which Allah hath ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall and touch them not, but be at your devotions in the mosques. These are the limits imposed by Allah, so approach them not. Thus Allah expoundeth His revelations to mankind that they may ward off (evil)] (Al-Baqarah 2:187).


5.you are most welcome , if you want to read more about Ramadan and Islamic fasting you can go to :

http://abdurrahman.org/ramadhan/7omattersfasting.html << ebook about fasting by Shaikh al Munajjid

http://abdurrahman.org/ramadhan/Fasting-qoose.pdf << fasting and its rulings by shaikh Abu Haatim
Usaamah Ibn ‘Abdil-Lateef Al-Qoosee


any further questions you are most welcome ,





my ramadan advice to my muslim brothers and sisters :

Keeping away from sin, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any of you is fasting, let him not commit sin…” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 1904). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does not stop speaking falsehood and acting in accordance with it, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” (Al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 1903). The person who is fasting should avoid all kinds of haraam actions, such as backbiting, obscenity and lies, otherwise his reward may all be lost. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It may be that a fasting person gets nothing from his fast except hunger.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 1/539; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/453).

Samhain is my favorite holiday. I put out chocolate covered cherries for my wife that was her favorite.

i'm eastern orthodox. theoretically, we abstain from meat and dairy products on wednesdays and fridays, and meat, dairy, alcohol, and olive oil during lent, with certain changes and exceptions according to the church calendar (for particular feast and fast days, etc.) during certain days of lent (good friday, for example) some people choose to fast completely. the idea of a lenten fast is to keep one's mind on jesus' suffering of forty days, while the wednesday/friday fast is more meant to keep you on your toes, spiritually speaking. young children and ill people are generally exempt. i'm anemic and generally don't have a problem, since a vegan diet can be just as healthy as an omnivorous one (although sometimes a lot more expensive!)

sorry to hear that your wife passed away , can you tell us a bit more about your holiday called Samhain

I never thought about those who live above the arctic circle! I guess they must have a way of working it all out though. And i know exactly what you mean by wanting what you can,t have even more when you can,t have it!I think thats why so many people fail in dieting! But it,s good that during your fast your able to think of all those who have no choice but to starve! And there are so many places where water is more precious and rare than just about anything, and people will walk for days to a water source for a container of dirty, disease infested carrying water to bring back to their homes! Thats why every day i take time to thank God and appreciate that all i have to do is turn on the tap! I try to remember how very blessed i am and be greatful for all these gifts on a daily bases, i don,t want to take anything for granted ever!

Samhain is the first three days of November. It is the time of the year when realm of the dead is open. The souls of our family members can part the vale and see us. We have a ritual about death and rebirth. Some of us make what we call a wickermen and put offerings, things we wish out of our lives and notes to our loved ones. Then we light him on fire and send him to the sky Gods. It is the end and the beginning of the year. When you look at the trees (in the North) the leaves fall off and die, but if you look at the branch you see the new buds of spring already there. After the ritual we dress in costumes, beat drums, dance and feast. I usually camp out that night cause the wine flows.

thanks for the explanation ,