Muslims: Can I Ask a Genuine Question About Fasting During Ramadan? I'm a Non-Muslim?

the big dinners after sunset is a cultural thing and not islamic.

Islamically we are not suposed to gobble down food so much so that we cant even get up. Because it is still ramadhan and we are still supposed to be doing as much good as possible.

We fast so we can concentrate on our soul rather than our bodies.

Muslims believe that we consist of two things the soul and the body. The soul is what is going to get us in heaven/hell, depending on how much you feed your soul. throughout the year many people forget about their souls, and just concentrate on their bodies, food, desires etc. In return the soul starves for knowledge, Islam etc

In ramadhan the tables turn around and now you concentrate on feeding your soul with knowledge, prayers etc and restricting your body.

now the practising Muslims know this and do observe/open their fasts propely. But just imagine that every Christian started fasting, whether they were religious or not. dont you think the ones who are not so religious would have bigger parties after they broke their fast because they felt so pleased with themselves?

The real reason is that there is a verses in Quran which says that Muslims should fast the month of Ramadan. That is why Muslims fast this month.

In Islam fasting Ramdan cleanse the sins of the year before it.

and if you can't fast you have to feed the poor instead. So my guess Ramdan is about sharing the pain of the poor. Muslims also believe that Grand Evil Demons are jailed during Ramdan.

A similar idea like this happen in Mecca, where only white sheets of cloths is allowed inside the Haram. The idea is that all people are the same, the poor and the rich.

Ramadan is, as you say, a time to purge the body and the soul of evil. It's also a time to strengthen ones resolve and to feel compassion for those less fortunate. Also, it is a time to reflect on the many wonderful gifts God has given us and to really feel grateful for family, friends and wealth. We often feed the hungry during Ramadan, give alms, spend extra time in prayer and reflection and reach out to people we love.

It's not forbidden for us to enjoy ourselves, particularly after sundown, although full on party mode is a bit much for this time of self-denial. When you deny yourself all day, and then have the opportunity to enjoy some of the fruits of your labours, and the company of those you love, the gratefulness you feel for the life you have naturally makes you feel exuberant, so it's easy to get carried away.

Interesting question. Those of us who will be fasting in a few weeks would do well to remember your comments and keep the revelry to a minimum.

"Big party at night"??

Sir, u r terribly mistaken! Muslims are required to pray at nights in Ramadan, offer the Taraweeh prayer and spend the night like they spend the day. The "party" u r talking about is the iftaar which Muslims may gather at one's house for an "IFTAAR PARTY" where they break the fast together with people around.

For u it may be a genuine question, cz def. u have a little knowledge of Islam so I didn't mind it.. Btw, it was not a genuine qs for most of us. :)

The following are some of these benefits which can be recognized by reason:

Attaining piety: Allaah Says (what means): “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become pious” [Quran 2: 183]

Diminishing the strength of ones desires: Eating to one’s fill and quenching the thirst and enjoying one’s wife all the time can lead one to heedlessness and to ingratitude.

Focusing on the mention of Allaah and pondering:Continual fulfillment of desires makes one hard-hearted and blinds him from the right path. It also prevents the slave from mentioning Allaah and reflecting upon His signs and creation, all of which leads to heedlessness.

Narrowing the passage of the devil:Satan runs in the blood of the son of Aadam and fasting narrows his passage and thus lessens his effects, reduces one’s desires and calms one’s anger.

Strengthening one’s willpower and determination: One, who can tolerate the pain of hunger and thirst and controls himself from having a sexual relation with his spouse whilst fasting, will strengthen his determination and willpower. This frees the person from being enslaved to his lusts and desires that are harmful to him.

Breaking one out of his regular routine: Some people lose their temper and become ill-mannered if their meal was delayed from its normal time or if they do not drink their morning coffee or afternoon tea. They have become so accustomed to a certain routine that changing it creates a problem for them. Such people are slaves to their routine and habits, and fasting helps the person overcome this behavior.

Realizing the size of the bounties of Allaah: Fasting makes rich people appreciate the favors of Allaah upon him, because Allaah has granted him what He has deprived many other poor people from. Refraining from such bounties and blessings for a short period through fasting, reminds the rich with those who are continuously deprived, and thus become grateful to Allaah and more merciful towards the needy.

A communal act of worship:This act of worship must be practiced by the entire Muslim community in the east and the west. The entire Muslim nation fast this month, even the ones who are normally disobedient fast during Ramadhaan in most cases. This increases the righteous environment which facilitates repentance to many people.

Increases the sense of honesty: The one who breaks the fast is breaching the pledge with Allaah and thus fasting improves and increases his sense of honesty when he refrains from anything that could break his fast even whilst in seclusion.

Medical benefits: Fasting protects the person from many diseases with the will of Allaah. Modern research proved that fasting has many health benefits, such as:

It organizes the person’s heart-beat and relaxes it since no blood is needed for digestion.

It purifies the blood from fat and cholesterol and acids.

It relieves the liver from the regular pressure.

It reduces the production of the digestive glands which is usually the cause for ulcers.

It protects the person from gaining weight, diabetes, kidney stones.

It reduces the pressure on the hear t arteries.

Some people are unable to fast due to their sickness, and thus Allaah permitted them to break their fast whilst sick and mandated that they make up for the days they missed. Allaah Says (what means): “So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them]-then an equal number of days [are to be made up]” [Quran: 2: 184]

Salam, we fast because all Messengers and Prophets prayers and peace of God the most glorious the most exalted are upon them fasted including the mother of the Believers Mary / Maryam may God the most glorious the most exalted be pleased with her. It makes us feel how poor people feel thereby establishing solidarity, and at the same time, it keeps your body healthy by benefiting you physically and mentally.

You are correct about your observation of "Ramadan Nights", instead of increasing prayers and glorifying our perfect creator, many spend the night watching T.V. or attend big parties and then forgo the teaching of our messenger, like when he taught us that our stomachs must always equal the formula of: 1/3 Air, 1/3 Food and 1/3 water.

Peace upon those who seek & follow truth

ya_shami@yahoo.ca

great question indeed!, let me give you a hint, to be followed by good reply in private:

Fasting is among all nations. in simpler term: obedience to Allah [God the Creator: no son or parts]

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil); (183) (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know - (184) The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. (185)

Quran2:183-185

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nights: praying every night 1 to 5 hours

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are TWO pleasures for the fasting person, ONE at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting." (Book #31, Hadith #128)

BTW, I suggest you to just 'fast' for a day the way muslim do. Self experience the feeling when its time for 'breaking'.

The special of fasting in Ramadan or Ramadan month itself compares to other months- Every single good deeds we've done in Ramadan will be multiplied more than we've done in other months. So, it's such a waste to spend time during Ramadan with something that's useless. We, Muslim should collect as much good deeds (amal) before we leaving this dunya (world). Because Muslim believe that there's no one will can help us in Judgement day except our amal, as Allah SWT has stated in Quran, Surah Yaseen :

(65. This Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn.

(continued): fasting has more to do than eating nothing, no food or water, no sexual activity, no foul language, from dawn till dusk. By this time people are exhausted due to lack of glucose ,also fasting does not exempt you from doing work or carrying out normal activities.We cannot fast and sleep in bed the whole day. We do not party but eat what is necessary and do prayers because this continues for a month. Fasting is ordained so we may become pious, strengthen our faith and have patience. It is not as some people claim, to feel the poor. Being poor does not exempt us from fasting.