Happy Ramaðan!

[KarlXII]

What is the religious/historical significance of Ramadan? Is it comparable to another religious holiday?

[Lemur]

Wikipedia is never a bad place to start ...

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, believed to be the month in which the Qur'an was revealed to Angel Gabriel which later was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer even more prayer than usual. Also involved in Ramadan are asking forgiveness for the sins of the past, asking for guidance in the future, and asking for help with refraining from every day evils and trying to purify oneself through self-restraint and good deeds.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Wikipedia is never a bad place to start ...

It always annoys me whenever people say "Well looking it up would be a good place to start." I always thought the point of posting the question was to get answers from people who actually celebrate the holiday and know the significance and intricate details of the holiday. Wikipedia is good if you have no other way of finding out, but if you can ask someone with first hand knowledge about something why would you not just ask that person instead of looking at a page that could be edited by some guy just copying from an encyclopedia with no real knowledge of the subject?

Sorry for the tirade, that was just the 80th time I saw someone pointed to wikipedia instead of having thier question answered.

[Strike For The South]

It always annoys me whenever people say "Well looking it up would be a good place to start." I always thought the point of posting the question was to get answers from people who actually celebrate the holiday and know the significance and intricate details of the holiday. Wikipedia is good if you have no other way of finding out, but if you can ask someone with first hand knowledge about something why would you not just ask that person instead of looking at a page that could be edited by some guy just copying from an encyclopedia with no real knowledge of the subject?

Sorry for the tirade, that was just the 80th time I saw someone pointed to wikipedia instead of having thier question answered.

but you did get an answer

[a completely inoffensive name]

but you did get an answer

Well I didn't ask the question, SwedishFish did, I was just commenting on the answer given. Yes it was an answer, but as I said in my post, not really an answer, do get what I am trying to say there?

[Lemur]

Sorry for the tirade, that was just the 80th time I saw someone pointed to wikipedia instead of having thier question answered.

Welly well, I posted a direct link to the relevant article as well as the opening paragraph, which directly answers the question, so while I understand the source of your irritation, I don't think it's fair to call me out.

[a completely inoffensive name]

Welly well, I posted a direct link to the relevant article as well as the opening paragraph, which directly answers the question, so while I understand the source of your irritation, I don't think it's fair to call me out.

I am not trying to call you out, Lemur. I was just expressing how everyone who wants a quick answer to something can type wikipedia into thier url, but to ask a question to something is to expect a well informed answer from someone with first hand knowledge and experience. Like I have said, yes you did produce an answer for the question with your responce but just not the way I think it should have been.

Seriously, I am not trying to call you out there.

[Gregoshi]

Also involved in Ramadan are asking forgiveness for the sins of the past, asking for guidance in the future, and asking for help with refraining from every day evils and trying to purify oneself through self-restraint and good deeds.

Let's keep to the spirit and purpose of the thread...

[drone]

A happy and peaceful Ramadan to all our Muslim friends.



Because I have random thoughts like this, I've always wanted to ask. How do Muslims in, say Edinburgh (or anywhere fairly north of the equator), deal with Ramadan when it falls in June-July? The long days have to be brutal.

[cmacq]

What is the religious/historical significance of Ramadan? Is it comparable to another religious holiday?

There may be a much earlier, deeply imbedded, aspect to this observance, as well. However, this has to do with a facet of the moon (هبل), and I shall make no further mention of this. And... in answer to your second question; yes.


CmacQ

[seireikhaan]

Happy Ramaðan to all observers!

[Dodge_272]

What happens if it rains, and then you accidentally swallow water? will you burn in hell?

Similarly, are you allowed to go swimming, as you may ingest some wasser there too?

[LeftEyeNine]

Wow, it's hilarious to see that the overanswered questions can even come from non-Muslims at the very first chance.

@drone,

Ramadan keeps coming 10-11 days earlier each year. For example with the start of September, this year, Ramadan has started. And September for an Aegean coast city like Aydın, İzmir is still summer and I can't imagine how one can fast when it is June-August. However I hear the memories of the old ones who used to work their fields while fasting through the summer. Totally brutal but apparently human body can make its way out of it. Maybe it has some connection with the sturdiness the faith brings on.

@Dodge 272

Well whether having an intake of water breaks down your fasting or not depends on your intention.

Something that may happen in the first days of fasting: You just go and have a cup of water while you are fasting without the conscience of what you shouldn't do. No, your fasting is not counted invalid while you are not intended to drink that cup of water. However as soon as it comes to your mind that you're fasting, you need to spit out what's left in your mouth. Awareness, hence your intention is the idea behind it all.

Moistening of your lips, the inside of your mouth by a cup of water spitted out afterwards, saliva that runs down your throat are not things that rule out your fasting of the day. However there are some exceptions to this such as vomiting mouthful etc.

[Paradox]

There was something I've been wanting to make sure about, are you allowed to brush your teeth in the morning when fasting as long as you try your best not to swallow anything or do you have to use a Miswak?


Hmm...I think I'll have Burger King today, no more traditional meals for me.

[Prince Cobra]

I also did not know much about the Ramadan, i have only heard about it. Thanks for the info

To all the followers of the Prophet Muhammad: Happy and peaceful Ramadan!

[LeftEyeNine]

Fahad I,

It shouldn't be. You're doing a cleaning there, something the Prophet himself advises as "the source of faith". You've got no intention to satisfy your humanly needs.

What would you benefit from swallowing tooth paste anyway? ^^

Bah, Misvak? Do they still use these?