Monday, August 1, 2011

Ramadan: A Time of Fasting and Faith

Hey guys,

Sorry I have been MIA literally once again! I am moving to a town two hours away, to attend the university there, and life has been crazy to say the least!!!

So it's August already, and in the Islamic world, that means the month of Ramadan or fasting. What is fasting you may ask?





Fasting - Literally defined, fasting means to abstain "completely" from foods, drinks, smoking before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

So what does this mean? NO FOOD FROM A LITTLE BEFORE DAWN TILL DUSK!!! Crazy, maybe. Do I love it, yes.

You see the whole idea of the month of Ramadan is to become closer to God, to remember are real purpose here on Earth, which is literally to worship him, and him only; at least this is what Muslims beileve. It is to also feel with those who are less fortunate; who may not be able to eat three plus times a day.

The spiritual meaning behind this month is amazing:

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 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.

4.It indoctrinates man in patience and selflessness, as through fasting, he feels the pains of deprivation but he endures them patiently.

5.It is an effective lesson in applied moderation and willpower.

6.It shows man a new way of wise savings and sound budgeting.

7.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.

8.It grounds man in discipline and healthy survival.

9. It originates in man the real spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood, of equality before God as well as before the law

10. It is a Godly prescription for self-reassurance and self-control.

So what is going to happen to my little blog during this month? Well I am going to be posting my thoughts, feelings, and progress during this month. I will also be posting pictures of the yummy feasts; yes you read that right, that my mom will be cooking for us to break are fast on every night.


One must not also forget; this is considered a holy month in Islam, so much of my time will be devoted to praying, reading the Quran (Islamic holy book), and remembering God.

Ramadan Mubarak to those who celebrate; and to those who don't Happy Monday!:)

Question:

Anything you want to ask about Ramadan or my religious views:)