Thanks, Amra!Originally Posted by Amra
This really answers my query. I was under this impression that it is the fasting that is called Ramdan, but now I know that it is actually the name of a month. I now understand the importance of this month.
Thanks, Amra!
This really answers my query. I was under this impression that it is the fasting that is called Ramdan, but now I know that it is actually the name of a month. I now understand the importance of this month.
Madhuri,check this site:
www.islamtomorrow.com
Thanks!
I was actually going through this site www.islamreligion.com mentioned by GoodFella.
I will go through this too.
"Fasting during Ramadan is a unique opportunity to attain both peace of mind and heart," says Imam Gayth Nur Kashif, Director of Washington, DC's inner city Masjid ash-Shura.
Imam Kashif, who came to Islam by way of the Black Muslim movement and was an editor of the movement's Muhammad Speaks newspaper and a contemporary of Malcolm X, explains: "During Ramadan one concentrates on rendering good and abstaining from the wrong. Such a pursuit creates peaceful serenity in the hearts of men and women. Ramadan fasting cannot be complete and in fact, the fast can be invalidated if one fails to control his or her temper. The fasting persons are advised to refrain from argument and to inform the other party that they cannot continue the troublesome dialogue because they are engaged in the sublime obligation of fasting. Without doubt a full month of such restraint is destined to leave its mark upon our bodies and souls."
The fasting during Ramadan that requires certain restraints from dawn to dusk, the hours when the human interaction is the greatest, is designed to mould the lives of its practitioners.
Dr. Molook Roghanizad, a member of the Curriculum Advisory Committee of the Fairfax County School Board in Virginia and an educational consultant, says, "Ramadan fasting offers an opportunity for Tazkiyah, - the cleansing of the self - through its disciplinary regimen. And on another level, Ramadan offers a unique opportunity for synthesizing with the less fortunate."
She points out that the tazkiyah aspect is clearly emphasized by Prophet Muhammad who, according to Ka'b ibn Malik, said: "Two hungry wolves sent against a herd of sheep will not do more damage to it than a man's eagerness for wealth and prestige does to his religion." [Cited in Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi and Abu Yahya]
"The Quran," she adds, "started to be revealed during Ramadan and it is recommended that during this month we concentrate on the reading of the Quran. Why? This is because during this month, we are less involved with physical needs and have a better opportunity of understanding the Message - the Quran, that is. Therefore there is a better chance of understanding the truth and reaching that spiritual elevation that we all desire." This state of 'special elevation', she is says comes when we elevate ourselves through understanding the true message. "The moment you have reached the absolute truth is your Lailut ul Qadr, the Night of Power," she stresses.
She says that the real attainment of Qadr for ordinary beings is not a physical act, nothing sort of pulling a spiritual rabbit out of a hat, but in reality that indescribable moment when all things become clear to you and this moment of truth is worth one thousand months, more than a lifetime. The Quran says: "But those will prosper who purify themselves and glorify of their Guardian-Lord and (lift their hearts) in Prayer." (Quran 87:14-15)
Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah, the eminent scholar and translator of the Quran into French, in his monograph Why Fast? (Centre Culturale Islamique, Wilkes Barre, PA) discusses the physical aspect of fasting. He likens fasting to the break from the ordinary to sleeping and to the weekend breaks in work and school. He points out that just as sleep renovates the body, the fast rejuvenates and invigorates the body, noting that Prophet Muhammad said, "There is a tax on everything, the tax of the body being the fast."
What fasting does to a Muslim is perhaps best explained by Jim Quraishi, who wrote in an internet religion forum, "I am much more forgiving and accepting of my coworkers. I am more liable to overlook their frailties and petty jealousies. I'm like a man who knows that at the end of the day there is a pot of gold that awaits him."
Islam does not promote withdrawal from society, however during Ramadan a brief withdrawal from society is allowed for those who desire to do so, which is called itikaf. In itikaf a person can confine oneself to a secluded corner of a mosque - women can select a corner at home - during the last ten days of Ramadan to devote their full-time to prayer and remembrance of God. The itikaf experience can be likened to a retreat in a secluded camp. Ibn Umar said, "The Messenger of Allah [Prophet Muhammad] used to seclude himself for the last ten days of the month of Ramadan."
According to the late Dr. Alija Izetbekovic, President of Bosnia, "The Islamic fast which is the union of asceticism and joy - and even pleasure in certain cases - is the most natural and most radical educational measure that has ever been put into practice. It is equally present in the king's palace and the peasant's hut, in a philosopher's home and a worker's home. Its greatest advantage is that it is really practiced."
The fasting during Ramadan has been ordained for Muslims as fasting had been ordained for people that preceded them. Prophet Muhammad, addressing his companions on the last day of Shaban, the preceding month, said: "O people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]BY:Omar bin Abdullah.
i wish u all a happy Ramadan
Ramadan kareem ppl,
i ask Allah to forgive and reward us in this blessed month. Ameen
"you can fool all of the people some of the time;you can fool some of the people all of the time ;but you can't fool all of the people all of the time"
Abraham Lincon
You are most welcome Madhuri
Ranooooooooooooooo,where were you all this time?I really miss your pms dear
Assalamu alaikum,
I was, since yesterday, trying to post about some thing I read concerning one of our estimable member looking for truth about our great religion-Islam.
I'm talking about Madhuri's remarkable effort. Wallahi, Madhuri I know you're gonna find this religion very wonderful and exciting I know. It's very simple and enduring practicing it (to tell you a bit).
I don't precisely mean you to just convert. But, atleast trying to cover how something is, is a good thing in Islam. Allah (SWT) says that we should ask those who know whenever we are in a state of ignorance toward something.
Wishing you best of all lucks.
The source of any bad writing is the desire to be something more than a person of sense--the straining to be thought a genius. If people would say what they have to say in plain terms, how much eloquent they would be.
-S.T COLERIDGE
i was thinking of something creative to post on this thread and so on the way to uni as i was sitting in the bus i wrote the first stanza of a poem, its not all that but im still quite proud that i managed to write it in my head with all the noise in a bus as u can imagine. iv only got one stanza so far but itl be great if other people wanna write another stanza, than wel have a poem!
O. you who fast all day and pray all night
and in your free time search for the bright light.
take heed take heed take heed
a blessed month is here, so do good deeds!
We can never know what to want, because living only one life we can neither compare it with our previous lives, nor perfect it in our lives to come'
Milan Kundera,The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Parce que c'est toi, parce que c'est moi
dont all rush at once than! :-)
We can never know what to want, because living only one life we can neither compare it with our previous lives, nor perfect it in our lives to come'
Milan Kundera,The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Parce que c'est toi, parce que c'est moi
Miss tenderness ,
I missed u too. I was away for awhileHow're u sweetie ?.
Makkah is great as usual , don't miss the chance and try to come in Ramadan. Yesterday, I went to Al-Haram (the Holy Mosque )really it was inspiring and full with spirituality .
"you can fool all of the people some of the time;you can fool some of the people all of the time ;but you can't fool all of the people all of the time"
Abraham Lincon
Optimistic: nice poem especially that it was written amongst the nois in a bus! and you know what? it's just great the feeling that all Mualims share concerning their religion and its rituals. I mean this eagerness that I truly and deeply share with you and with all my sisters and brothers,I was also thinking of doing sth creative for Ramadan on the internet and here's the month drawing to close and I'm still thinking
Ranoo,Oh my, do u recognize the bless that is given to you?I mean just taking a taxi and go to Alharam. YOU are lucky,LUCKY and I'm really happy for you.One more thing:when you go next time,if you go in the iftar time, give any needy a date and secretly wish the ajir to be for me(neeah),if you can do so.
Just simple definitions:
Fasting:
" O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint " Holy Qura'n [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 183]
Fast of Ramadan
The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by all observant Muslims. The fasting during Ramadan has been so predominant in defining the month that some have been led to believe the name of this month, Ramadan, is the name of Islamic fasting, when in reality the Arabic term for fasting is sawm.
Ramadan Dinner known as Iftar
Eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and smoking are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghrib). During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, angry and sarcastic retorts, refrain from gambling and betting and gossip. Sexual intercourse during fasting in the day is not allowed but is permissible after the fast. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast brings on a comfortable feeling of peace and calm.
Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast. However, if puberty is later than is normally expected, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age. According to the Qur'an, if fasting would be dangerous to someone's health, such as a person with an illness or medical condition (this can include the elderly), that person is excused. For example, diabetics and nursing or pregnant women are not usually expected to fast; but they are encouraged to feed a needy person instead. According to hadith, observing the Ramadan fast is not allowed during menstruation period for women; still they (women) must make up these days they didn't fast during their menstruation period. Other individuals for whom it is usually considered acceptable not to fast are those in battle and travelers who intend to spend fewer than ten days away from home. If one's condition preventing fasting is only temporary, one is required to make up for the days missed after the month of Ramadan is over and before the next Ramadan arrives. If one's condition is permanent or present for an extended period of time, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.
If one who does not fit into one of the exempt categories breaks the fast out of forgetfulness, the fast is still valid. It should be noted that if a person is required to break thier fast because thier life is in danger or they require medicine that they have to take at that particular time, ie, the person has a perfectly valid reason for breaking the fast and they can not keep it no matter what, they do not have to pay "compensation" in the event of breaking thier fast.
Laylat al-Qadr (Kadir Gecesi)
Laylat al-Qadr is the night that the first verse of Quran was read to Prophet Muhammad (s). The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is unknown (the Night of Power), but it is known to have occured in one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, usually thought to be on one of the odd-numbered dates between 21st and 29th, with the 27th being the most likely. God instructs one to seek-out this blessed night by virtue from the odd nights of the last ten nights of this month. It is said that when one seeks the Laylat al-Qadr, his/her sins will be erased, and it will be as if he/she has just been reborn. Many hadiths also affirm the great value of praying during Laylat al-Qadr. The Qur'an was also revealed in its entirety during the Prophet Muhammad's time in this night.
Tarawih (Teravih)
During this month, extra optional prayers of eight to twenty raka'ah, called tarawih, are prayed each night in the mosque by Sunni Muslims. For those praying at the mosque throughout the month of Ramadan, the whole Quran in many mosques is recited during this month. By the end of the month, the Imam reads the last chapters of the Quran. Although, it is not compulsory to pray Tarawih together at a mosque for Sunni Muslims, it is recommended.
Suhoor (Sahur)
Most practicing Muslims, especially children and the elderly, have a light meal or snack before dawn. This light meal is called Suhoor or Sohoor or Sehri, and is considered an act of Sunnah. This tradition is practised by Muslims worldwide. Cafes and restaurants, in Muslim countries, stay open till early morning hours in Ramadan to serve food and drink for Suhoor.
Source:Wikipedia.
I was reading about Islam on these links. But, believe me I respect all religions alike, my main aim in reading was to have a familiarity with the religion, I am not thinking beyond it. You are right that Islam is good, I agree, so are other religions. My curiosity led me to make an enquiry, and I did get some good responses.
Miss T, your post about what various scholars say about fasting, is an interesting read.
oh,glad you like it,Madhuri
Thank You So much for this tradition & holy Quraan that u quet to provide ur wordsImportance of fasting:
Abu Umaamah r.a.a. said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action by which I may enter Paradise'. He said: 'Take to Fasting, there is nothing like it.' " [An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Saheeh
"Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa." [2:183]
Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [al-Bukhaaree]
Also, Sahl ibn Sa`d said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes thirsty." [Ibn Khuzaimah, Saheeh].
On the Day of Judgement, "Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food an desires so accept my intercession for him." [Ahmad, al-Haakim and Abu Nu'aim, Hasan]
"There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can make and will be granted." [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]
I ma really glad boz there is good people like u & miss tenderness that defend to Islam
really Don't fall nation ...His prophet is Mohammed (pbuh)
Ramadan Kareem
I hope this year will be good than b4
thank you Rosy gal
Reply With Quote
