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Ramadan, the fasting month
by Bobby Sun Aug 31 2008, 01:49
[size=9][size=16]In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful[/size]
[size=25]Ramadan, the fasting month[/size]
[size=16]Islam
(Submission to God) is one of the world's three major religions, and is
the final link in the Judeo-Christian Islamic tradition of monotheism
(belief in One God). More than one billion Muslims (Submitters in
English) follow this religion around the world. About 6 million Muslims
live in the USA. They came originally from different countries from
around the world. [/size]
[size=16]Ramadan
is one of two major religious celebrations for the Muslims during the
year. The first occurs during and right after the month of Ramadan, the
Islamic month during which Muslims (Submitters) fast. Right after the
month of Ramadan, Muslims traditionally celebrate for three more days
for completing the fasting month. [/size]
[size=16]The
second major Islamic celebration takes place during the time of the
annual pilgrimage to Mecca, (in modern-day Saudi Arabia). This
week-long event occurs two months after Ramadan ends, during the 12th
Islamic month. Muslims traditionally celebrate for four more days at
the end of the pilgrimage season. [/size]
[size=25]FASTING, AN OLD RELIGIOUS PRACTICE [/size]
[size=16]Fasting
is as old as the human race. All the major religions in the world,
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, expect their followers to fast in some
form or another. It is believed that fasting has always been the same
in all the major religions in the world but changes happened as time
passed by and by the appearance of new sects in different religions. [/size]
[size=16]The
most common motives for fasting are religious ones. In a religious fast
there are three primary purposes: self-control over the body and its
appetites; focusing the mind on God or prayer; making sacrifice to God
for offenses committed. The Western religions of Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam have, from their inception, set aside
certain times in the year for regular fasting observances. [/size]
[size=16]Although the number of occasions on which fasting is practiced has
tended
to diminish over the centuries in all religions, most branches of
Judaism still observe a Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) fast in the fall.
Early Christianity developed a number of fasting periods: food was not
eaten on Fridays in commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ. [/size]
[size=16]Later a period of 40 fast days before Easter, called Lent, was set
aside to allow Christians to meditate on the suffering of Jesus. In the
20th
century the number of fast days has been dramatically reduced by the
Roman Catholic church to two: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday the
beginning and end of Lent. The church formerly required abstinence from
eating meat on most Fridays and certain other days, but this did not
include any restriction on the amount of food eaten. Protestant
churches generally leave fasting to individual choice. In Islam
abstention from food and drink is required of all able Muslims from
dawn until dusk each day of the month of Ramadan. [/size]
[size=16]THE LUNAR CALENDAR [/size]
[size=16]Among
the most important duties for a Muslim is fasting during the month of
Ramadan, which is the ninth of the twelve months in the Islamic lunar
calendar. Muslims like Jews, use a lunar calendar for their religious
observances. A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a typical
Gregorian year. As a result, dates of events in the Islamic lunar year
"move forward" about 11 days every year. For example, in 1997 Ramadan
began on December 30, and in 1998, it will begin on December 19. [/size]
[size=16]THE IMPORTANCE OF RAMADAN [/size]
[size=16]Ramadan
is important for Muslims because it is believed to be the month during
which the Holy Quran (the Muslims Holy book) was revealed by God to
Prophet Muhammad (570-632 C.E.). It is also important because it is the
month during which the Muslims were ordered to fast, achieving one of
their spiritual satisfaction and practice. [/size]
[size=16]Muslims
consider the Quran to be the true words of God given to humanity
through Muhammad, who is considered the last of the prophets. Muhammed
was to call the people to monotheism and righteousness. This tradition
of God chosen prophets or messengers is believed to include such
figures as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. [/size]
[size=25]Ramadan, the fasting month[/size]
[size=16]Islam
(Submission to God) is one of the world's three major religions, and is
the final link in the Judeo-Christian Islamic tradition of monotheism
(belief in One God). More than one billion Muslims (Submitters in
English) follow this religion around the world. About 6 million Muslims
live in the USA. They came originally from different countries from
around the world. [/size]
[size=16]Ramadan
is one of two major religious celebrations for the Muslims during the
year. The first occurs during and right after the month of Ramadan, the
Islamic month during which Muslims (Submitters) fast. Right after the
month of Ramadan, Muslims traditionally celebrate for three more days
for completing the fasting month. [/size]
[size=16]The
second major Islamic celebration takes place during the time of the
annual pilgrimage to Mecca, (in modern-day Saudi Arabia). This
week-long event occurs two months after Ramadan ends, during the 12th
Islamic month. Muslims traditionally celebrate for four more days at
the end of the pilgrimage season. [/size]
[size=25]FASTING, AN OLD RELIGIOUS PRACTICE [/size]
[size=16]Fasting
is as old as the human race. All the major religions in the world,
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, expect their followers to fast in some
form or another. It is believed that fasting has always been the same
in all the major religions in the world but changes happened as time
passed by and by the appearance of new sects in different religions. [/size]
[size=16]The
most common motives for fasting are religious ones. In a religious fast
there are three primary purposes: self-control over the body and its
appetites; focusing the mind on God or prayer; making sacrifice to God
for offenses committed. The Western religions of Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam have, from their inception, set aside
certain times in the year for regular fasting observances. [/size]
[size=16]Although the number of occasions on which fasting is practiced has
tended
to diminish over the centuries in all religions, most branches of
Judaism still observe a Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) fast in the fall.
Early Christianity developed a number of fasting periods: food was not
eaten on Fridays in commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ. [/size]
[size=16]Later a period of 40 fast days before Easter, called Lent, was set
aside to allow Christians to meditate on the suffering of Jesus. In the
20th
century the number of fast days has been dramatically reduced by the
Roman Catholic church to two: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday the
beginning and end of Lent. The church formerly required abstinence from
eating meat on most Fridays and certain other days, but this did not
include any restriction on the amount of food eaten. Protestant
churches generally leave fasting to individual choice. In Islam
abstention from food and drink is required of all able Muslims from
dawn until dusk each day of the month of Ramadan. [/size]
[size=16]THE LUNAR CALENDAR [/size]
[size=16]Among
the most important duties for a Muslim is fasting during the month of
Ramadan, which is the ninth of the twelve months in the Islamic lunar
calendar. Muslims like Jews, use a lunar calendar for their religious
observances. A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a typical
Gregorian year. As a result, dates of events in the Islamic lunar year
"move forward" about 11 days every year. For example, in 1997 Ramadan
began on December 30, and in 1998, it will begin on December 19. [/size]
[size=16]THE IMPORTANCE OF RAMADAN [/size]
[size=16]Ramadan
is important for Muslims because it is believed to be the month during
which the Holy Quran (the Muslims Holy book) was revealed by God to
Prophet Muhammad (570-632 C.E.). It is also important because it is the
month during which the Muslims were ordered to fast, achieving one of
their spiritual satisfaction and practice. [/size]
[size=16]Muslims
consider the Quran to be the true words of God given to humanity
through Muhammad, who is considered the last of the prophets. Muhammed
was to call the people to monotheism and righteousness. This tradition
of God chosen prophets or messengers is believed to include such
figures as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. [/size]
[size=16]During
Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. This means not to
eat, drink or smoke during the daylight hours. For married adults, it
also includes refraining from marital relations during the hours of
fasting (i.e. the daylight hours). The fasting person is expected to do
his best to practice self control and discipline, not to get angry
easy, refrain from using harsh language or insults and to tolerate,
forgive and respect others. Young children, old and sick people are not
expected to fast. Older people can feed a poor person for every day
they cannot fast of Ramadan. Sick people can compensate by fasting
other days when they feel well. Children are permitted to fast only
when they are strong enough physically to tolerate fasting without
difficulty.
[/size]
[size=16]WHY FASTING? [/size]
[size=16]Fasting has a number of benefits: [/size]
[size=16]1.
It allows one to build a sense of self-control and will-power, which
can be beneficial throughout life in dealing with temptations and
peer-pressure. Through fasting, Muslims learn to control their natural
urges such as hunger, thirst and the desire to smoke and thus are able
to better resist temptations for things which are not necessary, such
as excessive food intake, drugs or other unhealthy or harmful
substances and behaviors. [/size]
[size=16]2.
It helps one to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate and
underprivileged, since each day one will feel greater appreciation for
what he/she has as a result of feeling hunger and thirst. [/size]
[size=16]3.
It offers a time for Muslims to "purify" their bodies as well as their
souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spirituality and
community. Ramadan is a very spiritual time for Muslims, and often they
share their experience with their friends and family members. A greater
sense of generosity and forgiveness is also characteristic of this
time. Giving to the poor and needy and sharing one's fortune with them
is expected during this month and encouraged for the rest of the year. [/size]
[size=16]After Ramadan [/size]
[size=16]After
the end of Ramadan, traditionally there will be a very festive and
joyous holiday known as Eid, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. It is
celebrated for three days. Children are often rewarded with gifts,
money, and sweets. Lights and other decorations mark the happy
occasion. [/size]
[size=16]A Special Note to Teachers [/size]
[/size]Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. This means not to
eat, drink or smoke during the daylight hours. For married adults, it
also includes refraining from marital relations during the hours of
fasting (i.e. the daylight hours). The fasting person is expected to do
his best to practice self control and discipline, not to get angry
easy, refrain from using harsh language or insults and to tolerate,
forgive and respect others. Young children, old and sick people are not
expected to fast. Older people can feed a poor person for every day
they cannot fast of Ramadan. Sick people can compensate by fasting
other days when they feel well. Children are permitted to fast only
when they are strong enough physically to tolerate fasting without
difficulty.
[/size]
[size=16]WHY FASTING? [/size]
[size=16]Fasting has a number of benefits: [/size]
[size=16]1.
It allows one to build a sense of self-control and will-power, which
can be beneficial throughout life in dealing with temptations and
peer-pressure. Through fasting, Muslims learn to control their natural
urges such as hunger, thirst and the desire to smoke and thus are able
to better resist temptations for things which are not necessary, such
as excessive food intake, drugs or other unhealthy or harmful
substances and behaviors. [/size]
[size=16]2.
It helps one to feel compassion for those who are less fortunate and
underprivileged, since each day one will feel greater appreciation for
what he/she has as a result of feeling hunger and thirst. [/size]
[size=16]3.
It offers a time for Muslims to "purify" their bodies as well as their
souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spirituality and
community. Ramadan is a very spiritual time for Muslims, and often they
share their experience with their friends and family members. A greater
sense of generosity and forgiveness is also characteristic of this
time. Giving to the poor and needy and sharing one's fortune with them
is expected during this month and encouraged for the rest of the year. [/size]
[size=16]After Ramadan [/size]
[size=16]After
the end of Ramadan, traditionally there will be a very festive and
joyous holiday known as Eid, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. It is
celebrated for three days. Children are often rewarded with gifts,
money, and sweets. Lights and other decorations mark the happy
occasion. [/size]
[size=16]A Special Note to Teachers [/size]
[size=16]As
with other obligations in Islam (Submission), fasting becomes incumbent
for those who can tolerate it without difficulty. Thus, Muslim students
in your classes may be fasting during Ramadan. Teachers are kindly
requested to bear this in mind when planning activities, parties, etc.
which may involve food or beverages. The best course of action would be
to ask your students about ways in which they can be accommodated. This
is especially important in regards to Physical Education classes. P.E.
teachers are requested to provide alternatives to rigorous physical
exercise during this month for the fasting students.
[/size]
with other obligations in Islam (Submission), fasting becomes incumbent
for those who can tolerate it without difficulty. Thus, Muslim students
in your classes may be fasting during Ramadan. Teachers are kindly
requested to bear this in mind when planning activities, parties, etc.
which may involve food or beverages. The best course of action would be
to ask your students about ways in which they can be accommodated. This
is especially important in regards to Physical Education classes. P.E.
teachers are requested to provide alternatives to rigorous physical
exercise during this month for the fasting students.
[/size]
Bobby-
Number of posts : 18
Age : 38
Location : United Kingdom
Job/hobbies : Reading, Law, Music, Softwares
Registration date : 2008-07-18 -
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