Spiritual Meaning of Fasting
Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of Islam. Here is an explanation of the spiritual meaning of the Islamic Fasting:
1- It teaches man the principle of sincere Love: because when he observes Fasting he does it out of deep love for God. And the man who loves God truly is a man who really knows what love is.
2- It equips man with a creative sense of hope and an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he is hoping to please God and is seeking His Grace.
3- It imbues in man the genuine virtue of effective devotion, honest dedication and closeness to God; because when he fasts he does so for God and for His sake alone.
4- It cultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience; because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as well as in public. In fasting, especially, there is no mundane authority to check man's behavior or compel him to observe fasting. He keeps it to please God and satisfy his own conscience by being faithful in secret and in public. There is no better way to cultivate a sound conscience in man.
5- It indoctrinates man in patience and selflessness, as through fasting, he feels the pains of deprivation but he endures them patiently.
6- It is an effective lesson in applied moderation and willpower.
Fasting also provides man with a transparent soul, a clear mind and a light body.
7- It shows man a new way of wise savings and sound budgeting.
8-It enables man to master the art of Mature Adaptability. We can easily understand the point once we realize that fasting makes man change the entire course of his daily life.
9- It grounds man in discipline and healthy survival.
10- It originates in man the real spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood, of equality before God as well as before the law.
11- It is a Godly prescription for self-reassurance and self-control.
Now, someone may be tempted to raise the objection: If this is the case with the Islamic institution of fasting, and if this is the picture of Islam in this aspect, why are the Muslims not living in a utopia? To such an objection we can only say that Muslims have lived in and enjoyed a utopia in a certain epoch of their history. The realization of that utopia was a phenomenon of a unique achievement in the history of man. We say unique, because no religion or social system other than Islam has ever been able to realize its ideals in reality.
The reason why the Islamic utopia is not being established nowadays is manifold and easily explicable. But to restrict our discussion to the institution of fasting we may say that some Muslims, unfortunately for them, do not observe the fast or, at best, adopt the attitude of indifference. On the other hand, some of those who observe it do not realize its true meaning and, as a result, derive very little benefit out of it or, in fact, no benefit at all. That is why some Muslims today, do not enjoy the real privileges of fasting.
A little respect for the thread please :-)))
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
It is sad..but i doubt pot deserves more than the societal perception it currently holds.
To prove the point that things like importance, value, or merit rarely factor in the societal perception of what is allowed, and what isn't ;)
This is evident in language too. Everyday I learn a new example of brutalization of English, and even more shockingly so, Arabic as well. It's just the sad way things go these days...
I didn't say his books were banned becasue of his love of wine, i just stated the he is well known and famous for that; either way his works are cultural and linguistic masterpieces that have been banned.
This is not a debate of alcohol VS pot (no matter how good the latter is) and frankly i dunno why u even braught this up.
I needed to point out that his books were not banned because of praise of wine, but because of the evident man-man love therein.
People can drink all around the world, even here. It's well known alcoholism is a serious disease. A drunk man tends to be violent, irrational, and usually dangerous if behind the controls of heavy machinery.
On the other hand pot is not addictive, is proven to be beneficial in the treatment of some illnesses, yet it's banned throughout the world and possession will in most places take you straight to jail, all that just because of an overzealous American official that pushed classifying it as a lethal drug through the united nations.
You or I may know something, but even if this is true, if the street is through some organized ways convinced otherwise, there is little either of us can do.
So you agree to what i said..you just needed to say it in a more refined manner and show us your intimate knowledge of queer poetry;
Understood.
you don't know what my display picture is, but rest assured there's no gay connotation.
I don't need anyone to tell me what's wrong or right. I am able to provide myself with absolutely anything that I want, as long as it can be digitized. There is no censorship system in use today that prevents me from doing so. If someone wants queer poetry, I'm sure there are plenty of websites that share it, document it, and are not even censored!
Those restrictive laws are for the uneducated, for the primitives, so that their base fears are appeased. If you read the complete post I wrote you would have understood I do not agree with those sentiments displayed in today's societies. It's sad there are so many people that believe that subversive texts may somehow endanger them and their way of life. Speaks volumes about how strong their faith is, in a negative fashion naturally...
Abou Nawas wasn't a pedophile..he was simply gay just like ur display picture there.
And since you think you need someone to tell you what's right from what's wrong i think you already gave up the notion of independent thinking,
Cheers,
Do you like little boys? I know it sounds offensive but besides wine, that's what Abu Nuwas wrote about. Possibly the first out of the closet homosexual/pedophile in classic poetry. Greatly revered by homosexuals the world over. Perhaps now you know why his books got burned. He's all over the Alf Layla wa Layla, particularly in the story of the three women, the three qalandars and the three wise men of Baghdad. Notably that's the story that is usually omitted first from any editions you may find here because of lurid sexual acts. You want a good drunkard poet? Read Khayyam. At least he wasn't a perv. But it is indicative of the reversal in Arab culture, what was allowed 600 years ago will get you hanged today. Or maybe it was never allowed in some parts and then that view spread across the muslim world. Either way it's for the muslims to analyze and decide, their lands, their laws, up to them to say what's right and what's not.
mmyke..
I lose weight in Ramadan.
people gain weight during Ramadan,,,?
If anybody here was to be frank,they would say it like it actually is..that it is imposed bcos they dont care..ESP bcos ur NON muslim(punishment..lol)..so screw u..
yeah here fasting is forced for non muslims too..however only after coming here and seeing/experiencing this did I realise how muslims (back home in india)who were colleagues of mine and fasting during ramadan,at work like the rest of us non muslims who werent fasting..went about and their work and still maintained the fast,cos in india it is a personal choice(as it should be),no eatery closes down etc...but really admire some of them,cos unlike here where i know many who sleep during the major part of the day and break fast with a vengeance..lol..they actually did fast n work,pray amongst it all..just something that came to my mind..
not taking anything away from the ppl who actually do it the right way..
Don't worry, many students, I know of, wouldn't stay up late in Ramadan. My brother sleeps around 11:00 pm and doesn't like to be woken up for sohour, maybe just for a glass of water before dawn call to prayer. He's finishing school this year.
Salam
That makes sense now. Never impose whats yours on others
Ramadan Kareem everyone
be humble
be allowed to live normally/the way they want/eat, drink in front of muslims during ramadan (and also when ramadan is not going on)...
as i have mentioned earlier, muslims countris like pakistan, bangladesh, indonesia allows non muslims to live normally irrespective of ramadan...
being a muslim, i really feel ashamed when muslims lawmakers impose any restriction on non muslims while ramadan and i want to admit it LOUDLY AND CLEARLY that this is simply against the spirit of true islam....
be humble
Students who fast, pray taraweeh and focus on their RELIGION during Ramadan, are not the ones who are falling asleep and need shortened days or late starts. I do believe it is the cultural habit of gluttony, partying and watching the special serials on TV that leads to the problems in Ramadan.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
during Ramadan, huck? Is our eman so low?
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
some of us have only 1 day a week off;-)
"if you don't like the heat... get out of the kitchen... but stop trying to fan the flames before you leave... it will burn you on the a** as you go through the doorway...." ME
visit www.qaws.org
Only on descriminately eating in public should be advised sterntly or given warning. not arrest.
LOL Mandi..
Probably they meant no witensses were found, which anyway means it wasn't public.
I believe they were caught for being drunk and eating in Ramadan was a side claim.
A non Muslim who is found eating in the day of Ramadan should not be arrested.
I certainly intend to respect the Ramadan fast and I would never eat or drink in public but I think it's a bit over the top to be subject to arrest if I were to do so. On a lighter note, I thought it was funny that the case against the three guys who ate in public during Ramadan was dismissed for lack of evidence. Perhaps because they ate it?
Mandi
i never knew as a Qatari eating and drinking was illegal in qatar its the first time i hear this . At work people go to the tea room thats all but i thought it was just because they respect that we are fasting.
Will only look at the good example only, or at the bad example only.
Let us be fair and look at both.
Abu Nawas is know as the poeter of wine.
Thats the real thing edi. Fast and resist the temptation around you.
In India, Hindus eat while Muslims fast during the Ramadan. And all the eateries are open. Thats called real fasting, when the muslims have the option of eating and drinking and there is food around them and still they fast. They are resisting the temptation.
The eating part looks is normal but the achohol part, these guys being a muslim cannot be tolerated. Little bit too late its a last year case sentences being served this year.
Court acquits three
Web posted at: 8/8/2009 1:51:4
Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA: A criminal court here has acquitted three young men who were accused of eating in public during Ramadan last year on grounds that the evidence produced to prove them guilty was insufficient.
The trio was also charged with consuming alcohol despite being Muslims and the court found at least two of them guilty. Blood samples of the accused were taken by the police after they were caught. While the blood test of one of them was positive, the second accused tested negative. He was acquitted. The third accused refused to give sample of his blood for test, so the court found him guilty too. The court sentenced the duo to two months in jail and ordered that they be also given lashing for drinking as per the Islamic law.
Salam
pardon?
(sorry, english is not my native language)
but, i serioulsy think, laws/rules like this hamper muslim's emage towards nonmulslims....
indonesia, pakistan, bangladesh etc are not like that ... trsut me.
be humble
And so do keep the commandment of Fasting that god commands you as a tribution between you and him. You don't have to tell or show the whole world that you fast. Do it in the confinment of your home, because its not how you do it, but doing it. For he is interested in you keeping the faith.
People with attitudes or actions that we might perceive as perverse or unacceptable have greatly contributed to human culture.
You will be surprised how many famous poets, artists, musicians, painters, suclptors and philosphers have been drunkards. (not to mention other things)
Just to keep this debate short..don't judge smth without knowing it..especially if it's in the basis of your own (islamic) culture.
innovation per se isn't the ultimate goal. It either has to have an added value or at least it has to be harmless. I don't know about abu al nowas specifically, but generally drunkards are ..hmmm..unpredictable!
"full of crap" ?
How would you know that if you didn't read them ?
Btw just FYI he is considered to be the "greatest poet in islam"
Wether it's galileo or Abou el Nouwas, when an innovator challenges the power in place and defies orthodox practices, he will be silenced one way or another. This is true in Islam as much as it is in any other religion,
Keep your mind open,
That's the spirit, vancep :) afterall it's only 20 working days :-/
In UK we all complain that "foreigners" do not respect British customs... When in Qatar we complain with having to respect Qatari customs...
I personally do not have a problem with eating and drinking out of site of my Muslim co-workers, they do after all put up with my sense of humour :-)
OH I M SO GLAD WE HAVE HISTORIANS TOOO IN QLIVIN
OH....MY...GOD SLOWLY SLOWLY WE R DISCOBORING HIDDEN TALENTS
AND ITS STATRING TO SUCK MORE
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
------------------------------------------------------
My boss told me " you are fired"
I told him " boss i didnt hear the shot"
Yeah I heard of the 'shy milk'. If his books were written 'under the influence' I'm sure they're full of crap, with all due respect. Nothing to compare with the respectable Galileo.
Check this brief overview of his life:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Nuwas
He is mostly known for his passion for wine,
A famous story accounts that once he was holding a cup of red wine when the Caliph Al Ma'moun spotted him, he asked him what is he holding, he answered
"i am drinking milk my lord", and when the caliph asked why is the "milk" red instead of white he answered:
"When the milk saw you it got shy and went red";
And to leave you with a small verse of Lebanese Zajal concerning him:
"A7la chaghleh bi 7ayati inni b7ebb el kass; w a7la zalami bil tarikh houwwi abou el nouwwas"
Roughly translated: "The greatest thing in my life is that i love to drink; and the greatest guy in history is abou el nouwas" ;)
Hope it helped,
LOL @ Red Bull
Tell me about him pls I'm not sure I recognise the name.
I think you're confused..am talkin about Abou el Nouwas the famous Arab/Persian Poet who was quite a wine fan; most of whis works were burnt to ashes andhe was poisoned later on..
Don't watch too much Red Bull ads :P
Abu Nowas killed himself trying to fly. It's different.
"This worked well with the church (you know what it did to scientists like Galileo), but it doesn't apply to Islam. Islam doesn't disappoint scientists or intellectuals. "
Abou el nouwwas rings a bell ?
...spreads the benefits evenly..:) why should only the fast(ers) have all the fun? LOL
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
I should be able to pee on the side street, but i can't because it is against the stupid law.
Same thing here !
allowed to eat/drink in fron of fasters while fasting.
be humble
I prefer calling it "choice" rather than "watered down." I heard an Islamic scholar speak in Oman on Ramadan and he said that fasting was about becoming spiritually fit and that it was cultural actions rather than religious performance that led to tiredness. He said that a challenge to spiritual growth was part of becoming mature and that God's testing only made one stronger. My American friends seem very able to meet the challenge of work and family and Ramadan without losing any of the benefits.
Mandi
You know Qataris who are brilliant, MD. Mmmm.. I'm not sure I can trust your judgment :)
If you think that Qataris will have to 'water their religion down' in order to move forward, think again. This worked well with the church (you know what it did to scientists like Galileo), but it doesn't apply to Islam. Islam doesn't disappoint scientists or intellectuals.
Have a nice evening.
so finally it has started.....
and we have wall(n)tear proviking a religious bashing
and to my amazment it has reached outer space tooo...
wwwwwooooooowwww!!!!!!!!!
ql's r progressing so fast......yeaaaahhhhh!!!!
slowly slowly
its starting to "suck" but its bare able
yala baba
bob corn and saad---rite
the show must go on
------------------------------------------------------
My boss told me " you are fired"
I told him " boss i didnt hear the shot"
Actually, mandi, I know Qataris who are brilliant. They, however, watered down their Muslim behaviors to be able to compete. (Not that I thought it was bad to do so.)
Actually, MD, I can show you some Qataris who have finished their professional education here and are doing brilliantly in their continuing training in New York.
Mandi
I don't know if you normally keep your promises, mandi. Let's assume it. But it still sounds more like prophecy to me.
Actually I do QL, i cant cook anything worth eating..
" Dont take life too seriously, you will never get out alive!!!"
sandeep..Islam doesn't say make non-Muslims fast. I don't know on what basis this is happening. On the other hand, I don't think you rely on restaurants to eat.
But many Qataris are now stepping onto the world stage now, MagicDragon, and competing in a world-wide forum. The best will do very well, I promise you!
Mandi
First of all you "believe" going to outer space.... Secondly, it is not "Outer space". It's just 400 km up. Outer space begins beyond Pluto.
yep Ql amazingly flexible, closing down all restaurants so tht even Non- Muslims dont get to eat during Ramadan.. Last year there was no tea or water allowed too in the office, lets see how flexible they r this year.
" Dont take life too seriously, you will never get out alive!!!"
Who says I want to "beat Islam", QL? I would not bother for a second to do that.
Exactly, QatariLady! It is flexible so that people can choose both to honor their fast and to honor their professional obligations.
Mandi
Those already have irregular working hours, Mandi.
Since people in Qatar are not paid according to their performance, I think it ain't a problem, mandi.
When ppl travel they can break their fast, MD. I believe going to outer space is similar to traveling. You cannot beat Islam. It's amaaaaaaaazingly flexible :)
Sorry, but an MD working in an emergency clinic or a pilot flying for Qatar Air can't shift hours!
Mandi
It's not a matter of choice only. You can't help it. Shifting the working hours would be better.
meaning, purity love and loyalty.
Fasting in the Space Station is not allowed. It reduces the alertness and efficiency of the crew. (Another reason why Arabs can't be astronauts).
Not possible for in a professional education program. I know it's hard, but students must make an individual choice based on their commitment. After all, you wouldn't want your physician to make a mistake because he/she was sleepy during Ramadan! Athletes in training must do the same - in some career choices it's just not possible to take a month off.
Mandi
...and helps by showing the importance of restraint. In its true sense,it's an instrument of self control against the vices of the senses and a platform for elevating ones spritual being.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
It's very hard, Mandi, to sleep at 11 except for the young students who don't fast. I don't know how to explain it but you cannot help being alert and awake till at least 1 or 2 a.m.
I'd prefer to begin the schoolday at 10 a.m. during Ramadan.
I would hope that our students are sleeping by 11 pm at the latest! The fist month of classes are very important and the first block of big exams will follow Eid very closely!
Mandi
Yes, FU. Today I heard that one day of fasting cleanses the toxins of 10 non-fasting days.
Of course ppl should pay attention to what they eat during the night to avoid undoing this cleansing :)
It helps regulate the body's metabolism by taking away the load on digestion alone.It is alos a very powerful method of regulating metabolism and detoxing your systems.
Source:
- A study Conducted by FriedUnicorn - Vol I (September,1999)
And I was told that fasting is healthy too. As the Prophet has said: Suffice it for a human being a few bites that keep him going.
Thank you, QL. I was told breakfast is the most important and most healthy meal of the day.
You don't fast, MD, and you don't pray either. If you sleep at 10 then pls eat in the morning :)
"No one sleeps at 10 or even 12 in Ramadan." Again one of your typical generalizations, QL. I sleep at 10 or 11 even through Ramadan, because I have to work the next day.
QLADY WE NEED U IN THE "DRINK CAMEL URINE" THREAD
SOMEBODY SAID IF MEDICINE SAVES SOMEBODYS LIFE IS GOD FOR THAT GUY WHOSE LIFE IS BEING SAVED
PLZ WE NEED U THERE
DRACULLAAAAAA........................WE NEED U DRAC.....
------------------------------------------------------
My boss told me " you are fired"
I told him " boss i didnt hear the shot"
Fasting is so good that.. People under the poverty line in most of the countries Do it"Religiously"
I do it for my own purpose too..
MD.. If you eat at 10 and stay up praying (or even hanging out) until dawn that shouldn't be a problem. No one sleeps at 10 or even 12 in Ramadan.
I wanted to add that it is also extremely healthy to eat a heavy meal after 10 pm. This is "scientifically" proven.
OH!!! YEAH
another religious bashing
yala baba yala
the show must go on
------------------------------------------------------
My boss told me " you are fired"
I told him " boss i didnt hear the shot"
Seriously, Mandi, I didn't know. I used to work with locals only. I know that restaurants are required to be closed. The Chrsitian employees who work for me can eat in a designated place. I know non-Muslims are 'asked' to respect Muslims but out of courtesy. However, arresting them is news to me..
QatariLady, you didn't know that it's illegal for non-Muslims to drink or eat in public during daylight hours in Ramadan??? And you didn't know that we can be arrested for this???
Mandi
I was just mentioning it to QL so she was aware of what actually goes on during Ramadan with regards to non-muslims eating/drinking in public.
Personally, I feel that if you as a muslim have your heart in the right place - there is no need to have a policing policy with regards to those not fasting - as has already been said - This action is supposed to be testing your inner strength.. what exactly are you testing if you aren't facing the temptation?
Yes, QL, there are places we can eat and drink in our offices - we normally lock ourselves in our boardroom and pretend to be having a meeting;-)
"if you don't like the heat... get out of the kitchen... but stop trying to fan the flames before you leave... it will burn you on the a** as you go through the doorway...." ME
visit www.qaws.org
Xena.. Honestly, it's the first time for me to know that it's 'illegal' to eat or drink in public. It's too much unless there is a good reason for it. Maybe decision makers don't want Muslims to take eating lightly and be encouraged to break their fast. ou know, as part of the societal responsibility.
I don't think this leads non-Muslims to actually fast. I'm sure there are designated places where they can eat and drink at work for instance.
Enforcement is the only way the relevant bodies to ensure its citizen abides to fasting. Its true that if done by force would not serve any purpose as the whole act of fasting would comes from the heart. And for the non-muslim to abstain from food in public alike is just a show of respect, nothing more than that.
Where's the virtue in fasting if you're practically forced into it. The real meaning of fasting is to abstain from physical pleasures whilst they are easily accessible:
Vanquishing one's self is by self control and fighting tempation, not in removing temptation from the start and claiming hollow acts of lent.
You mean "Seclusion" from worldly life, right? As Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) practiced in the last 10 days of Ramadan?
Salam
i'd like to add that some people find it very difficult to sleep again once the are up around 3/4am. they end up snoozing for an hour or two before iftar. they cannot go to bed early because by the time you finish taraveeh (in the mosque) and come home it is 10 pm.
Since 5 years I have always taken 10 days off, wish i could take 30 days
Reminders before Ramadan
http://www.islamhouse.com/p/50832
I know MANY Muslims who like to read Quran an hour or two before Iftar, or have to cook for a large Iftar. (Back home my family feeds around 70 people daily for Iftar, and WE COOK and prepare the tables for them with the help of other volunteers, that needs a lot of time and effort).
Also many of us who stay up until late hour find it difficult to have to work for long hours the next day.
Salam
"We get lectures from our company about the punishment if we are found eating and drinking during fasting hours.
A personal friend of mine was arrested by the police for drinking some water in a hospital, during Ramadan"
Surely he should have known better. I do not agree with the "banning" of eating and drinking, but we all know what we're in for when we come here..
I don't see why an 8 hour day can't be put in, as long as it allows for iftar, taraweeh and laylat al qadr
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
Working hours are man-made hours, 2 hours less in Ramadan to give more time for Ramadan's rituals is very applaudable.
That and I work my 8 hours in Ramadan, just without the lunch break. I like to break the labor law..:)
Salam
fear of God instilled in the expatriates just before Ramadan...
We get lectures from our company about the punishment if we are found eating and drinking during fasting hours.
A personal friend of mine was arrested by the police for drinking some water in a hospital, during Ramadan - it is enforced on us.
"if you don't like the heat... get out of the kitchen... but stop trying to fan the flames before you leave... it will burn you on the a** as you go through the doorway...." ME
visit www.qaws.org
eats or drinks during Ramadan is overzealous. Others' eating or drinking has never upset my fast. In fact, if they are not Muslim, or if they are excused from fasting for health reasons, why should they suffer?
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
and work my regular schedule. Otherwise, it doesn't feel like a sacrifice and I feel the meaning of Ramadan is lost.
I didn't drink the kool-aid! -- PM
I would tend to agree with you, but there i nothing saying that one cnnot sleep during the day. It is a choice the individual makes and at the end o the day he/she is only answerable to God.
Stone Cold: I have lived in similar society. Whilst eating and drinking by non-Muslims is not forbidden, usually as a mark of respect and understanding , they do not do so in public.
The utmost fasting test is to bear the sight and smell of eating and drinking of those around you. In most muslim countries of south East Asia where population is multi-racial and multi religion, eating and drinking by non-muslim are not forbidden although limited. And to a practicing muslim this is the ultimate test of strength and will power to resist and restraints.
I know you're not a Muslim, married to onw. You've shared your stories early on QL. You're one of the early QLers..:)
Nice to see you again..:)
Salam
I do have the utmost respect for those who fast, it is such a hard thing to do! Must feel so rewarding.
For those who do fast, how do you feel about those who just sleep during fasting hours and then eat all night. It seems to me that takes away the purpose. I don't want to offend anyone since I am not muslim but it does seem contradictory to me.
tra la la
Thanks much. In a large country like Egypt of Copts, Muslims, working expatriates and tourists, public eating is not banned during fasting hours, socially ostracized though. Most of foreigners barely eat or drink publicly on the streets, unless forced, out of consideration.
Salam
I would think the true believers wouldn't be turned by someone being allowed to eat or drink in their presence.
I DO agree that the bars and clubs should close...but the restaurants should remain open for those that aren't Muslim.
good friend helps you up when you fall. A best friends pees their pants laughing and trips you again!
I was thinking of doing that this year myself, only fasting for several days. I have to watch my blood sugar tho or I'll end up passed out on the floor...
MD, would that be called, Food Rape?
A good friend helps you up when you fall. A best friends pees their pants laughing and trips you again!
well my husband is Muslim and I am not. He fasts and does not care if I eat or drink in front of him. I do feel guilty and don't like to do it but he says it is his belief not mine and in no way wants me to hide it from him.
tra la la
Yes, you did, Happy Happy. And you are strong. I take my hat off.
I already explained...?!
Salam
It's rape, Scarlett (without the consent of the victim).
We have Copts in Egypt, we're aware of Lent, it's not easy!. One of my Coptic neighbors,every year he fasts one day in Ramadan to show solidarity and respect, then he has Iftar with us..:)
Salam
what good is a fast if its imposed upon you and you can't resist temptation without having all the restaurants closed to keep you from eating?
A good friend helps you up when you fall. A best friends pees their pants laughing and trips you again!
"I do admire the fasting ritual, it's very unique, generous, strengthening, empowering, librating, private....I could go on and on..:)"
If it's "private", why enforce it on others??
I agree...a fast is good for the soul...makes you feel very empowered.
A good friend helps you up when you fall. A best friends pees their pants laughing and trips you again!
seen it myself. You can actually get pulled over for drinking/eating in your car, which I think is total overkill. If you believe, then you believe...don't make others believe for you.
Christians do a bit different version of the Ramadan fasting, its called Lent. We give up something that means a lot to us, for the month before Easter. Only that person knows what it is and yes, it IS difficult when someone is eating something in front of you that is what you gave up for Lent, but it makes you a stronger person for resisting in the face of temptation.
A good friend helps you up when you fall. A best friends pees their pants laughing and trips you again!
I know, but that's the beauty of it, very trying and challenging..:)
Salam
I don't have a problem with ppl eating, but it kills me when someone drinks tea or coffee. Ah that's torture lol
Good night
I can live with a small country like Qatar almsot 100%Muslim population, banning food during fasting hours for obvious religious reason. But Qatar and similar countries have to have a plan for all the expatriates working in the country and others who are Muslims but not fasting for some reason.
The idea of the banning public eating is to discourage eating during fasting hours, respect fasters and place less pressure on them.
Btw, fasting is more fun when I'm surrounded by eaters and lovely smell of food.
Salam
I don't know if and why they would enforce it on non-Muslims.
I think it should be courteous of non-Muslims to refrain from publicly eating or drinking, but I wouldn't impose it on them.
I have wondered that since fasting is an outward show of their deep love for God, why do certain countries, like Qatar, enforce that upon the expats of different religions? I mean, if you are fasting for your deep love of God, then it shouldn't be a burden upon you to see someone else eating or drinking. I can understand the no smoking since it is an addicted habit..but the part of not allowing others to eat/drink in public is rather hypocritical, in my view. If you have a deep love for God then you should be able to fast even if others are eating and drinking around you because you don't want to fail God.
A good friend helps you up when you fall. A best friends pees their pants laughing and trips you again!
And I really wasn't referring to Ramadan's fasting only, although unique, I meant fasting in normal days too.
The power of abstinence is indescribably liberating. It's a spiritual charge up and a powerful reminder of the less fortunate!
Salam
And the Taraweeh Prayers, Happy. Amaaaaazing.
I do admire the fasting ritual, it's very unique, generous, strengthening, empowering, librating, private....I could go on and on..:)
Salam