Thread: Ramadan Coundown!!!

Greetings to all! Asalaamu Alaikum Sisters -

Can you believe it, Ramadan is around the corner. I can't wait

Hope to see some of you pop up by then.

Take Care!

Could you tell us non-Muslim cysters a little about Ramadan? I've read some about it, but really don't know how it all "works."

Sure, I'd love to explain it.

Muslims follow the lunar Calendar to mark religious holidays and dates, much the way Jewish people do. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. It falls back about 10 days each year. This year the fast begins in the first week of October. The fast is a month long. Starting the fast just before dawn, and breaking it just after sun down each day. This means that some times, Ramadan is in the heat of the summer, and other times, it is in the crisp of winter.

To break it down, a typical day of fast for me consists of waking up before dawn to have a light breakfast. The rest of the day consists of absolutely no food or water. For me, the greater part of the fast isn't necessarily the physical aspect, but the spiritual and emotional parts. We don't only fast from food and water you see, we also abstain from sexual relations with our husbands, gossiping, backbiting, lying, stealing, cheating, etc. All things that a person could indulge in. It is a fast in the truest sense of the word. Your eye fasts from what is unlawful to see, your ear from what is unlawful to hear, your hand from what is unlawful to strike, your foot from where it is unlawful to be, etc. After sunset, we break our fast on a light meal, and join our community later in the evening for a congregational prayer. (We normally pray five times a day, every day, with or without Ramadan, this congregational prayer is 'extra' and related specifically to Ramadan).

I've found it teaches a great deal of self-control, self-respect, and humility. Why shouldn't we sometimes deprive ourselves of things? Who are we, that we can't taste what it is to be without? Aren't we flesh and blood just like our brother or sister starving to death in Africa? It is a very humbling experience.

Not everyone can fast however. It is not meant to be a great hardship. If you are ill, require meds during the day, too young or old, if you are pregnant or breasfeeding, or if you are on your period (which most women are during the month, so they miss a week, and should make up the days before the next Ramadan comes)- these people are exempt from the fast. Personally speaking, the one good thing PCOS has done for me is enable me to fast many a Ramadan without missing a single day! LOL

Hope that helps explain Ramadan, I'd be happy to elaborate on any questions you may have!

Take Care, and thanks for asking

Thanks for explaining. Ramadan sounds a little bit like Lent for Christians, although Ramadan sounds like it involves more.

Tharaa, wow you've read the Qur'an (that's how I spell it) - how amazing! I have nothing but the utmost respect for my fellow sisters-of-faith also.

Ammaarah - Subhan'Allah!!! Masha'Allah Sister, a failed induction? I've never heard of this. Insha'Allah you will have a speedy and painless labour and delivery (hey, anything is possible! ) As for periods during Ramadan, I stopped the pill in July, and got a period in August, so we'll see if it carries on throughout September and October. I don't mind however, I enjoy fasting. Truly Sis, I will make du'a for you and the baby. If you read this before you go into labour, please make du'a for me and my family also. Just think, all your sins will be cleared away soon, and you'll be as clean and sin-free as that baby of your's Alhamdulillah!

Take care, and best wishes to all

Hi everyone,

Ammaarrah "salam" so good to see you,well I will be praying for your safe and uncomplicated delivery very soon.Im so happy to see you online,please listen to your doc about bed rest. I wanted to ask you if you wear Hijab in your every day life?I love your avatar ....

Diamond: yes I read the Koran/qur'an because I wanted to know the truth, Their are allot of sterotypes which are unfair running around about it,even in Christian circles..things like there is no respect for women and it is a violent religion etc.I found
that the Quran not only respected women but held her highly,and there was nothing of hatred or violence in it.Whatever sterotypes are running around is not due to islam but due to the social corruption of different islamic extremist groups,and has nothing to do with with the real islam.see the corruption of Countries like Iran and Afghanistan on the news,most Americans gathered ignorant conclusions about islam....which caused allot of biggotry,then after 9/11 things turned for the absolute worst.I asked a young muslim college girl,why she chose to wear hijab in a free
place like America....her reply was,we cover because we want to,its not because of force,its because of dignity and respect for our modesty.Thats when I began to understand....Most Americans narrow views of muslims,and especially of muslim women are based on sterotypes.Whenever I have gotten the chance,ive always tried to educate people that none of those things were true...Christ teaches us to love one another,and to not bare false witness against our neighbors...I always want to seek the truth,im not ashamed to explore other religions,even though I have chosen to be a Christian.

((((HUGS TO MY MUSLIM CYSTERS))))

Tharaa, wow what a post! Thank you!

I know you asked Ammaarah about hijab, but she may be otherwise busy at the moment, lol - God Knows.

Hijab is a dress code that both men and women follow. Obviously, it is more noticeable on a woman, considering she covers her hair as well. A man's hair isn't excatly seen as a symbol of beauty, hehe. Hijab for a man would be not to wear clothes that fit tightly, or reveal certain parts of the body. He is supposed to at least cover from his waist line down to just below his knees. A woman covers more for obvious reasons. However it isn't ALL the time. Basically when you are out in public, or around people that you could lawfully marry. So when you are around your family, around men like your father, brother, uncle, son's, etc - (men you cannot marry), you don't cover. And obviously in front of women, you wouldn't need to cover.

That's pretty much the physical aspect of hijab. The hard part of hijab is the mental one. Hijab is as much on the inside of a person, as the out. It's one thing to dress modestly, but if you don't act modestly, you defeat the purpose. It's a package deal, hehe.

For me personally, wearing hijab is like wearing your drivers liscence. Everyone knows who you are. It's like an ID badge. You instantly become an embassador of your faith. This has its ups and downs. Because you are still human. If you do the wrong thing, others around you might associate that with all Muslims. This is why it is important to always be mindful of who you are, and be aware of the duty you have to yourself and those around you (foremost to God) to be an upstanding citizen.

Anyway, can't wait to hear when Ammaarah has her little one!

Take Care!

salam alikum sisters
Ramdon mubarek to u all

Flower23, masha'Allah, you are more then half way there I know some pregnant women attempt to fast if they are in their last trimester, even though they don't have to. Do you think you will? I couldn't imagine it while pregnant, as unsettling as food was, I know I would have still needed to drink something. But some women do it and feel fine, it even gives them energy (so they say, lol).

Salaam from a Jewish "cousin,"

I wanted to wish you all a peaceful Ramadan. May it be a time of introspection, peace and harmony for you all. I also wanted to find out how Ammaarah is. G-d willing, the baby will be born soon, happy and strong. Asalaam alikum, cysters.

Chigal, thanks so much! I know Ramadan will be here and gone before we know it. I hope it'll be an inspirational time for us all.

I haven't heard anything about the baby yet, hopefully sooner then later

Very true, Diamond. We also have a month of reflection and introspection, between Rosh Hashana, new year and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, which is when it's decreed who shall live and who shall die during the next year. Our names are written in the book of life on Rosh Hashana, and it's sealed during Yom Kippur. But, during that time, we are to rid ourselves of our sins as much as possible. You cannot ask G-d to forgive sins committed against other people, you have to ask the people themselves for their forgiveness. Fasting is hard, we do it as well, but, as my rabbi told me, it helps get you closer to the angels since they don't eat. I'm wishing you ladies to be close to the angels. Please keep me informed on Ammarrah. Shalom.

Chigal, I've read that Ammaarah has had her baby girl! (via c-section) But she's here and healthy, nonetheless.

That's really interesting, what you said about fasting getting you closer to angels. Sounds really inspiring. When exactly is your month coming up? Maybe we can all touch base during our fasts?

Take care!