Happy Ramadan [year 1428]

by radiant guy | September 13, 2007 at 05:31 pm
678 views | 22 Recommendations | 4 comments

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Ramadán

Ramadán

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uploaded by Laszlo Szucs

Ramadhan (Ramadan) is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar.  It's when Muslims all over the world spend 30 days fasting and bettering themselves in principles of faith.
 
Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from sexual intercourse (during fasting), violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, angry and sarcastic retorts, and gossip. People are meant to try to get along with each other better than they normally might. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm.

Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast, though some do. However, if puberty is delayed, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age. According to the Qur'an, if fasting would be dangerous to someone's health, such as a person with an illness or medical condition (this can include the elderly), that person is excused.

The reason Muslims fast is to discipline their body and mind.  The absence of food and drink and other pleasures provides a perfect opportunity to concentrate on prayer and worship.  Not having the luxuries of life to hand makes it easier to reflect on life and be grateful for what we do have.  Muslims use this month to start afresh and give their life a new direction.

Read more at wikipedia.
Here is an idiotic Q&A about Ramadhan.

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jtsg
jtsg
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 23:00 on September 13th, 2007

Well done on providing the cultural context behind the Islamic holiday.

Jordan Yerman
Jordan Yerman
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 07:17 on September 14th, 2007

radiant guy, this is great. I was invited to an Iftar meal in London- it was brilliant. The hostess, a rather modern young lady, was rather liberal in her interpretation of what could be served; she focused more on the social/familial aspects. And the food was awesome.

Kaitlin
Kaitlin
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 10:13 on September 14th, 2007

radiant guy, thank you for this lovely piece...I learned a lot here. It's also quite beautifully and poetically put. My personal favourite part is,

"The fast is an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God."

I'm curious to know--what does one say as an official greeting during Ramadan?

At any rate, Happy Ramadan! 

0
Ayesha

the greeting is "Ramadan Mubarak" or " Ramadan Kareem"

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