Ramadan is coming tomorrow. Have you heard of it?

[Anonymous]

Ramadan is coming tomorrow! :-)

Have you heard of it? Do you know what is "Ramadan"?

Updates

+1 y

Ok guys! As I anticipated, you know a little about the outside world :) So, I thought of sharing a little bit of interesting information here :-)


We, Muslims, fast during daylight which means we don't drink or eat and that lasts for a month which is called "Ramadan". It's a holy month and it sure has a spiritual meaning behind it, so it's not about just depriving yourself from food or drinks.

Updates

+1 y

Fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.


I know many non-Muslims friends who fast as well during Ramadan for its beautiful spiritual meaning. It has also been proven to have huge health benefits :-)

Updates

+1 y

Read this if you want to know more about it :-) link


P.S. If you want to wish someone a happy Ramadan, you say, in Arabic, "Ramadan Kareem!"

[aceliainwonderland]

LOLLERZ,...RAMADAN MUBBARAK FROM TUNISIA XD XD XD (I don't know here in north africa we say that not ramadan kareem, I guess kareem is a bit more formal)

well, most people don't know the exact rules of ramadan or exactly what it is I believe, because they don't really don't notice or care to research the rules (why exactly should they)...for me and my friends we keep ramadan on the dl (down low), so most of our non Muslim friends don't even know we are fasting. But I know there is also a good amount of non Muslims that also know about ramadan.

oh and ya,..there is always gonna be cases of crazy pregnant mothers fasting,...the quoran gives the mercy of not haveing to fast if: you are pregnant, breast feeding, too young, too old, traveling, or sick XD,...but individual Muslims have thier own choice of if they want to take the mercy or not...but I strongly believe in taking the mercy, cause scientificly and health wise and all that it is not good to be fasting while pregnant,...so ya, there will be crazy individual Muslims (not islam itself) depriving thier growing children in thier bellies of food and water

hmmm...well clarify the fasting exactly...the fasting is everyday for a month from sunrise till sunset...so every day for a month I wake up at the buttcrack of dawn, eat and drink a little sumthin,...durring the daylight hours I do not drink or eat...then when the sunsets I start munchin down and drinking and repeat the process for the month. just sayin that cause when I hear fast for a month I think 672 hours without food or water, just wanted to make sure there is breaks inbetween those 672 hours XP

yupp,.ive herd of ramadan, think it is a good thing. religiously it is kinda like a spiritual cleansing and religious decipline, aswell as reminds you of those less fortunate. Also part of ramadan is trying to be a better person, so there is lots giving and good deeds. knda like the Muslim version of christam spirit. but from a non religious view the essay appitiete by laurie lee, kinda shows how withdrawl from indulgences for a while makes you feel better (have more appitite)...kinda like an essay on the saying the journy is better than the destination or whatever the saying is...the essay is not just bout food, but good read, good read

sorry for being lengthy, but eh, just wanted to make sure that I made my view on ramadan...i hope I don't offend anyone or generalize too much, but =^-^=

[Asker]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here :-) Ramadan Mubarrak min Masr! ;-)

[Paramore_fan]

of course!

Ramadan Kareem! :)

but really the best thing about Ramadan to me is the holiday after

new clothes!

just kidding :P

ive always liked Ramadan

i have a lot of great memories in past Ramadans

[Asker]

Ramadan Kareem :)

[Disputin_Rasputin]

Sure I have; it's a period of fasting for Muslims which is pretty similar to Lent for the Catholics and the Christians.

If I remember correctly, it's ritual fasting which is one of the three types of fasting that constitutes one of the 5 pillars of Islam, the Sawm (don't know if I have my spelling correct).

Ramadan isn't supposed to be a means of just getting hungry or thirsty, but to seek a genuine closeness with God; to atone for their sins and express their thanks to Him. It is also to remind Muslims of the needy that live everywhere in the world. Muslims are obligated to keep away from un-Islamic things like sex, alcohol, violence, getting angry, swearing or anything that is "Haram" and the like.

Personally, I think it's a very noble.

[Disputin_Rasputin]

*Personally, I think it's noble*

Doggone GaG for not having an edit button.

[Asker]

Very true :) Yeah, it has a beautiful spiritual meaning. "sawm" is correct too!

[Disputin_Rasputin]

Yeah, I think so too. Muslims generally follow Ramadan pretty devoutly as opposed to a lot of Christians and Catholics who, the more I look around, don't take Lent seriously.

For Lent, you're meant to fast for 40 days and, through prayer, atonement, self-denial and giving to the needy, prepare yourself for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But, a lot of people don't do that anymore, which is sad that they don't want to experience the spirituality and reverence.

[Asker]

Yeah, my Christian friends aren't that devoted to Lent. But it's harder than ours I guess because you cut certain types of food. I really don't know because I never tried it.

What's important is the spiritual meaning behind the "sawm". I believe in it and love it. I always come across poor people who have a little to eat or drink, so it really teaches me not to take things for granted :)

[Disputin_Rasputin]

Lent isn't hard, you just adapt and do it; just like you would do with Ramadan.

Indeed, and Lent is supposed to be like that too; a lesson that a lot of westerners, considering how economically developed and well off we are, should learn about the plight of the poor and needy.

[rotarymoon]

Why is sex considered "Haram"?

[Disputin_Rasputin]

To my knowledge, sex isn't Haram; adultery, or having sex with someone who isn't your partner, is.

[AshBrown]

To the last 2 comments - any sexual act with your wife is haraam "during a fast". The fast does not last 24 hours.

[Lupianwolf]

I know you fast because some prophet had to fast ages ago so you practice it to show how precious stuff is

A lot of my friends got really paranoid about 'Is swallowing your spit wrong on Ramadan'

It ends with Eid right? where they have a big feast which people celebrate it on different days because of the moon or something

[Asker]

It's not "some" prophet had to fast so we followed him. It has a more profound meaning :)

[Lupianwolf]

I never meant any disrespect I don't know a lot on it

[Asker]

I understand :)

[RedThread78]

I don't really know the significance but I do know that Muslims fast during the period and it holds spiritual meaning. I first heard of it in high school when a friend of mine wouldn't hang out with us during lunch time. I later realized that it was because he is Muslim and was taking part in Ramadan and it was easier for him to be away from food. Hmmm perhaps I should try it out...

[Asker]

I'll update later with the spiritual meaning =) It sure has a profound meaning. I have Christian friends who fast in Ramadan as well...non-Egyptians too ..because they loved the concept =)

[RedThread78]

Thank you for the information I love learning about spirituality it fascinates me. I actually might summon my willpower and try it for myself and not eat/drink from dawn until dusk. It's been really hot lately so I hope I don't need water during the day.. perhaps stay away from certain physical activities.. I'll figure something out.

[Asker]

I had a Mexican friend who was teaching me Spanish. He used to fast in Ramadan for a few days and he loved it! He wasn't Muslim but he believed in the spiritual meaning behind it :-) but don't forget to stop fasting once you feel tired :-)

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

So what I've read is basically you only drink water for a month?

[Asker]

LOL We could have been dead!

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

..What?

[Asker]

Only water for a month..do you really believe that?

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

...Yeah,Gandhi did it. lol

[Asker]

That's his choice lol

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

So what exactly is Ramadan then? You don't eat during the day...or you don't eat during the night or what?

[Asker]

link :-)

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

I don't really believe that,sorry. You can't control what POPS into your mind. So basically you stay inside your house the whole day and go out at night?

[Asker]

Haha no! By the way..It has been proven that you are much more focused when you're a little hungry. We go out and work all day :-) It has so much health benefits by the way.

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

If you work all day how are you suppose to prevent yourself from hearing bad things when someone around you can just be cursing like a sailor?

[Asker]

We try to stop ourselves from doing that. That's why it's a great month; you rarely find people cursing or doing any nasty habbits :-)

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

That's pretty cool if it's basically not eating until nighttime I think I could do it.

[Asker]

I had a mexican friend who was teaching me Spanish. He used to fast in Ramadan for a few days and he loved it! He wasn't Muslim but he believed in the spiritual meaning behind it :-)

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

You think just cause he was Mexican and I'm Mexican we would both like it. How stereotypical of you. Lol JK I think it'd be pretty cool to try even though I'm not Muslim.

[Asker]

I didn't know you were a Mexican :D

[Mr_Solo_Dolo]

Suuuuuure you didn't. Haha

[Asker]

Hahaha!

[lifes_curve_ball]

Yeah, Ramadan is finally here :)

And yes I do know what it is, however I say Ramadan Mubarak more often than Ramadan Kareem, but either which is fine. Speaking of which, Ramadan Mubarak (or Ramadan Kareem) to you.

As per what Ramadan is that link does the explanation more justice than the limited characters given here I feel.

[Anonymous]

Did you know that statistically, children born in heavily Muslim areas 8 months after Ramadan have a greater likelihood of mental retardation due to the fasting of the pregnant mother in early pregnancy? So always a good idea for women who are or may be pregnant to get that checked out before diving in to the "no food" thing.

[Asker]

Pregnant women don't fast :-) nor even women who are breast-feeding.

[Opinion Owner]

I'm aware. But many don't KNOW they're pregnant when it matters most (the first month). And so they fast the next generation into mental retardation. That's why there's a correlation between mental retardation and birth month in Islamic populations and why it moves by a month each year along with Ramadan. So women who are having sex and plan to fast should take a pregnancy test.

[Asker]

Not true. It's the mother's fault or laziness then. If she even DOUBTS about being pregnant or not, then she shouldn't fast. Fasting is not for self-torture, it's for whom they can do it. If you're sick, old, pregnant, taking meds, etc...you don't do it :-)

[Opinion Owner]

What isn't true? Most women aren't aware they are pregnant the second they become pregnant. That's why it happens.

[Asker]

Ok!

[Opinion Owner]

Here's the paper in case you were curious. It's an interesting read:

link

[Asker]

It's interesting, thanks! :-)

[elements]

The very first friend I made in college introduced me to Ramadan, since she was Muslim. I still don't know all the details, but I know the general idea.

[Asker]

I'll update later :-)

[elements]

Okie dokie. :)

[eithyy]

"Ramadan! Ramadan! Lots of praying with no breakfast! Ramadan! Ramadan! Do all your shopping...AT WAL-MART!"

8D

[BoobMan]

This confuses me.

[Asker]

Huh?

[eithyy]

It's a song. A terrible terrible song. Haha.

[BCRanger10]

Yes, I have. Isn't that when Gabriel recited the Qu'ran to Mohammed?

[Asker]

Sure! what else? :)

[BCRanger10]

Um...you guys don't eat during daylight for a month. That's about all I know.

[sa230e]

Yeah, I've heard of it. I can't believe you guys can fast for a whole month. I wouldn't be able to make it through a week!

[Asker]

It has a profound spiritual meaning behind it :) I know Christian friends who try it as well. Do you know why we do that? ;)

[xzinax2]

sadly,i know :( I hate it cause I'm an atheist and everybody else around me is Muslim and they can't eat so I feel weird about pigging out in front of them lol

[MalibuBeach]

Youre the first person I "know" from bosnia that is an atheist. Cool :)

[Brando]

Yeah, it's when you quit eating and get skinny. Yay for dieting :)

[Asker]

I'm afraid this isn't the objective :D

[Brando]

But it sure as hell is a perk ;) lol

[AltTech]

Isn't that a month where Muslims don't eat during the day? Maybe I'm confusing it with something else.

[Anonymous]

It's a way of experiencing hunger and develop sympathy for the less fortunate... most Muslims tend to be the unfortunate so maybe they could give the fasting a break, start thinking rationally and maybe they'd have a reason to need to fast...

[FierceMegan]

Ramadan Kareem from New York!

[Asker]

Mwaaaaaaaaaaaah :-)

[shani982]

Thank you so much, I am saying this to Megan :)

[FierceMegan]

@shani982 - Yes, she knows because Knowmeyourself's kiss was meant for me :D Also, you're welcome! :P

[Asker]

Ofcourse it's all for you, Megan! *Kisses & Hugs* from Cairo! Hahaha You would have loved to be here in Ramadan :-)

[FierceMegan]

Hehehehe, I'm sure it's more special there during the holidays. *hugs & kisses*

[Asker]

:-) Lots of bashamel, Om Ali, Waraa Enab, Mahsi, Kebab, etc...You love food! Haha

[FierceMegan]

Omgosh! :D I would fail during Ramadan if that food was right there. :D

[Asker]

Hahaha!

[bel42]

Yes, I've had of it. Though I'm not really sure of it's significance but I know it has to do with "fasting". It's a religious thing for Muslims.

[Asker]

Read above, if you're interested, about its spiritual meaning :-)

[bel42]

sure

[jacquesvol]

yes, and when I was traveling alone through Tunisia during ramadan: I did like the Tunisians do: ramadan.

[Asker]

Ramadan in Egypt is the best :-) You would have loved it.

[AshBrown]

Excellent topic, ma'am. I have to find time to go through each and every comment. I will. :)

[Asker]

:)

[Nicefuture]

Hey =)

Ramadan kareem

[Asker]

Thanks :D

[stevo]

You fast for a couple of days, right?

[Asker]

No :P

[stevo]

Oh well.

[Asker]

Well? Nothing more than"Well"? =(

[stevo]

Sorry :(

[Asker]

Say "Ramadan Kareem" !

[stevo]

Ramadan Kareem! lol, happy? :P

[Asker]

Better, better :-)

[irykiryk]

Never done it. Don't think I ever will either. Can't fathom not eating all day.

[Ugly_Guy]

You can't eat from sunrise to sunset. After sunset, you can eat as much as you want.

[AshBrown]

Its dawn to sunset. Dawn happens about 60-70 minutes before sunrise.

[Shaun]

What's that?

[Asker]

I'll update later :-)

[Shaun]

Ramadan Kareem from your friend in northern california. :)

[Asker]

You made me smile :-) Thanks from Cairo! Haha