Ramadan Mubarak

Dunks · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:29

LordSplodge said:
I have a serious question: Why does the Muslim God require his worshipers to not eat between Dawn and dusk during Ramadan? I get things like Eid where it brings the community together but Ramadan feels (to me as a non-Muslim) slightly punitive.

Don't get me wrong I admire people with the commitment to do this for their god, especially during the long days of summer. However the Goddess Herself could appear in front of me and say "Give up food for a month during te day to show your love for me" and I'd tell her to go away.

According to Wiki (I know, I know) it's about patience, humility, spirituality and submissiveness to God, so I guess with submissiveness being one of them it is a little punitive

FoxEye · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:31

LordSplodge said:
I have a serious question: Why does the Muslim God require his worshipers to not eat between Dawn and dusk during Ramadan? I get things like Eid where it brings the community together but Ramadan feels (to me as a non-Muslim) slightly punitive.

Don't get me wrong I admire people with the commitment to do this for their god, especially during the long days of summer. However the Goddess Herself could appear in front of me and say "Give up food for a month during te day to show your love for me" and I'd tell her to go away.

So you can eat when it's dark?

Or do you have to abstain from food for 30 x 24 hours?

Dunks · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:33

FoxEye said:
So you can eat when it's dark?

Or do you have to abstain from food for 30 x 24 hours?

You cannot eat nor drink during daylight hours, you have to wait until the sun sets.

LordSplodge · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:33

FoxEye said:
So you can eat when it's dark?

Or do you have to abstain from food for 30 x 24 hours?

I'm Pagan not Muslim but Ramadan involves fasting during daylight hours (Dawn to dusk) and that's why it is very hard at this time of year. Nobody could fast for 30 days!

Angilion · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:33

LordSplodge said:
I have a serious question: Why does the Muslim God require his worshipers to not eat between Dawn and dusk during Ramadan? I get things like Eid where it brings the community together but Ramadan feels (to me as a non-Muslim) slightly punitive.

Don't get me wrong I admire people with the commitment to do this for their god, especially during the long days of summer. However the Goddess Herself could appear in front of me and say "Give up food for a month during te day to show your love for me" and I'd tell her to go away.

Your religion obviously isn't as focussed on obedience as Islam is.

LordSplodge · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:38

Dunks said:
According to Wiki (I know, I know) it's about patience, humility, spirituality and submissiveness to God, so I guess with submissiveness being one of them it is a little punitive

What does giving up food & drink have to do with those other than submitting to Gods will?

FoxEye · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:39

LordSplodge said:
I'm Pagan not Muslim but Ramadan involves fasting during daylight hours (Dawn to dusk) and that's why it is very hard at this time of year. Nobody could fast for 30 days!

Random google search quote:

A. J. Carlson, Professor of Physiology, University of Chicago, states that a healthy, well-nourished man can live from 50 to 75 days without food, provided he is not exposed to harsh elements or emotional stress. Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound. Each extra pound of fat will supply enough calories for one day of hard physical labor. Ten pounds of fat are equal to 35,000 calories! Most of us have sufficient reserves, capable of sustaining us for many weeks.

[edit: I personally don't think 75 days is possible, just in case anyone dies while trying to fast 75 days and tries to sue me

]

muon · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:40

^^^

All the Abrahamic religions have a massive focus on obedience e.g. the sacrifice of isaac story. However, at least there are indirect benefits to Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims.

Dunks · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:41

LordSplodge said:
What does giving up food & drink have to do with those other than submitting to Gods will?

Surely you can see how it relates to patience and humility though?

No ones denying that submitting to Gods will has nothing to do with it though.

neoboy · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:41

Remember we had a chef who was Muslim and can't imagine how poor guy worked around all that food without submitting! Would always have to ask others to taste the stuff as well when he was preparing sauces and that.

LordSplodge · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:41

FoxEye said:
Random google search quote:

Wow. I couldn't do that. I don't carry a spare ounce of fat.

semi-pro waster · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:41

Ramadan Mubarak to all those who observe it, I wish you luck for your fasting.

Danthus · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:42

The new series of Traffic Cops showed a Muslim fasting, he couldn't perform his duties as a result.

FoxEye · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:44

LordSplodge said:
Wow. I couldn't do that. I don't carry a spare ounce of fat.

Actually a more thorough search suggests that 50-75 days figure may not be likely. Averaging the responses from many sites, it seems anywhere between 3-6 weeks is possible depending on the individual.

Ghandi did 21 days aged 70, just taking sips of water.

DampCat · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:47

I'm out of here just in time!

ants83 · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:49

OldCoals said:
The new series of Traffic Cops showed a Muslim fasting, he couldn't perform his duties as a result.

saw this too. was pretty shocking to be honest the state he was in.

Deadbeat · 31 Jul 2011 at 21:55

Ramadan Mubarak to all

(Assuming that's an appropriate well-wishing for a non-Muslim to say?)

Destination · 31 Jul 2011 at 22:05

Lets hope the fasting period isnt marred by massacres in Syria and Lybia.

Subliminal Aura · 31 Jul 2011 at 22:09

Make love not war....

Unfortunately you have to abstain from sex during Ramadan, which leaves only one other option...

e36Adz · 1 Aug 2011 at 00:46

Subliminal Aura said:
Make love not war....

Unfortunately you have to abstain from sex during Ramadan, which leaves only one other option...

Only within the daylight hours while you are fasting.

Some hadith on fasting:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet pbuh said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)” (Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet pbuh said, “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

In other hadith the Prophet pbuh speaks of fasting as a shield that will protect believers from the fire of Hell. May God accept our prayers and fasts.