Islamic Calendar & Ramadhan.

I'm surprised by your minimalist reaction. So how were those who were first recited Quran to supposed to understand Ramadhan as a month when the hijri calendar didn't even exist yet? Peace

I happened to stumble across this article today, http//www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/07/ramadan-sweden-with-no-dusk-no-dawn-20147614423642407.html In the comments, someone says, Fasting isn't possible in Sweden if we are to follow the directions given in the Koran. Honestly speaking, if it were not for the 19 pattern, and for the fact that the Koran is quite consistent and free from cruel laws (for example, the Old testament has some violent verses that I'm not comfortable with at all...the Hadiths are full of contradictions...some scriptures are inconsistent), it would have been equally difficult for me to consider if the Koran could be from God. What reasonable answer can we provide to such obvious questions about fasting? First of all, allow me to greet you with the Islamic greetings of "Burn in Hell!" Now onto your question which, in the manner of the religious, I will avoid answering and instead ask in what part of the world do you find God lacking in palpable and perceptible cruelty that you would think that what is cruel could not also be from God, seeing that there are diseased and horribly deformed and mutilated children for one example?

Hi, This is interesting. I am considering laylat al qadr to be the time of autumn equinox. It would make sense that the year starts after the winter solstice. What connection to you make to the Torah that talks about fasting in the ninth month? Would shahr ramadan be the ninth month/full moon? Also check the Ten Days of Repentance that Judaism has in September (I can't post the link)

Peace What I find hilarious, and sad, like sweet and sour, in this thread (and others), it to witness "Muslims" arguing in Ramadan, whereas Quran advises them not to. bravo and that is indeed inappropriate... @FS, how can you have so much energy whilst fasting, I am jealous. muscle I'm tough as heck by the grace of Allah. I type to you guys, exercise for hours and hours, then walking, then eating only a tiny amount since I can't tolerate much more, and not eating in the early morning since there is so little time here to eat, and sleep and wake up again then again and I've been doing it for longer than the official Ramadan period. Besides all that I remain calm and whatever. I guess it might help that my typing style is kind of thoughtless and effortless, I just type really fast without much processing or filtering so I can type more maybe for that reason and have been practicing for a long time. Not only all of that, but I also manage to hold private dialogues too and find time to talk and joke with people and whatever. I guess it shows that people might not have so many excuses when it comes to things, but other people might have different stamina levels, but I think people should work on their stamina and keep trying. It seems that with practice, stamina grows perhaps.

"Don't fight fire with fire". It will just burn more, but you can always cover the fire. Be well

The Quran was revealed over a 23 year period, and not in a month. It was revealed during times necessitating guidance. Why was the Holy Quran revealed? Sura Luqman, verse 3 ?A guidance and a mercy unto the righteous ones.? Ramadan in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from ... Ramadan = times of conflict/ times necessitating guidance. In General ; New Laws are set up to prevent chaos and conflicts between social groups, society, construction, etc. When do we need guidance? when ever there is conflict or a chance of conflict. And we are told to abstain from such actions that will cause conflict ? don?t add fuel to the fire, so as to say. (Saum) So during times of conflict men do realize the law/s to prevent and safeguard humanity ? for the future. example - why the New Cruise Crime Disclosure Law is Necessary Posted on January 8, 2015 by Jim Walker There has been a lot of news coverage lately about Senator's Rockefeller's new cruise crime law. For the first time, the cruise lines will be forced to disclose the full range of assaults, rapes and other crimes which occur on cruise ships,and inform the public which cruise ships the crimes were the alleged crimes occurred. eat peace ? So you're not fasting either?

Hi everyone! I am new here. I decided to make my own account instead of just lurking to ask you guys for help. I will be missing six days during this year's Ramadan due to the "trip"(not really but I will far from home anyway and conditions will be really to bad to keep Ramadan). My question is about 2184 2184 A number of days. Whoever of you is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days; and as for those who can do so but with difficulty, they may redeem by feeding the needy. Whoever does good voluntarily, it is better for him. If you fast, it is better for you if you knew. The thing I don't know is if I can start making up those six days before the month of Ramadan or I should do that after. Can someone who speaks arabic check if the Quran allows to choose anyday or it should be after the actuall Ramadan. Some english translations says that "the same number of days" after I would like to start Ramadan from tommorow(three days before Ramadan) if possible. Greetings! I started fasting June 1st and will fast through Ramadan, and possibly finish at the end of the typical Ramadan or at the end of the next month.

"Ramadan Mubarak" not! made me laugh.

Freedomstands, Yes. The underlying reason is because it is an instinctive drive. Hicham, I am not here to impress people. I am after helping people wake up from their slumber. Fame is not my area. I prefer solitude and no recognition. And I am learning everyday, probably more than I teach out yet. JavaLatte, Suit yourself. Be well

I still think the current reinterpretation of Ramadhan is wrong. Eventually I am getting to the fasting part of chapter 2. It is just that there is a lot of work to it. I recently finished chapter 36 which I took first due to inspirational reasons.

Burnian, After researching on this topic for some years, My recommendation is Fasting is abstaining from eating and drinking, not talking ( which is very hard specially for a woman ;D) so, Fast for consecutive 10 days each year, starting after the first full moon, immediately after summer solstice , Fast from first light till the darkness of night ( not till sun sets) You don't have to actually witness the moon to start fast, you may start from the predicted date of full moon of scorching heat in your area (witnessing the shahar ur Ramadan, actually means ," when ever is shahar ur Ramadan in your geographical location", that means, the people in north, and down under should not practice fast at the same time. Residents of northern hemisphere do it on the longest and hottest days in June/July, and southern hemisphere would observe in their longest/hottest period, which is some time in Dec/Jan) Sex is allowed after breaking fast through the night, during this 10 day period. Don't bother about past what is passed is passed, if you are still bothered, just give away some money for charity. peace siki

Peace. Peace Following verse mention this AAamihim(Their year) . Why not only after this year? Is this because polytheists used a different calendar system? Yes, I think that is a good answer. In my view sanat is the godmade solar year and 'aam is a manmade calendar year, which calender is dependig on context.

But surely if we are going back by the count of 10 each year, wouldn't we then be in danger of fighting and hunting in the forbidden months?

It is okay as long it is personal and they don't compel others for compliance or claim it is from Allah. . . . Do if they like, and ignore if they don't like. . . vs. pillars of Islam, ie. as core value. . . . 5101 O you who believe, do not ask about things which, if revealed to you, would harm you; and if you ask about them after the Qur'an has been sent down, then they will become clear to you. God pardons for them, and God is Forgiving, Compassionate. 5102 A people before you had asked the same, then they became rejecters in it. 5103 God did not decree any restrictions for combining of livestock, or roaming livestock, or ones that give twin births, or a stallion freed from work; but the people who rejected invented lies to God, and most of them do not comprehend. 5104 And if they are told "Come to what God has sent down, and to the messenger;" they say "We are content with what we found our fathers doing." What if their fathers did not know anything nor were guided? 5105 O you who believe, you are responsible for yourselves; none who are misguided can harm you if you are guided. To God is your return, all of you, and then He will inform you of what you have done. . . . 16116 And do not say, as to what your tongues falsely describe "This is lawful, and that is forbidden;" that you seek to invent lies about God. Those who invent lies about God will not succeed.

It is not that difficult though. Whenever I can, I sleep as much as I can during Ramadan. I try to read the Qur'an all the time as much as possible. The more days pass the better I feel. There is something invisible going on during the fasting of Ramadan. Blessing from God. Peace.

Peace be upon you all, JavaLatte, good logic and Man of Faith, sun thank you very much for your great advice, I'm praying to God to show me the right solution and make it easy for me. Man of Faith, thank you for your input as well, I'm not living in Islamic Republic, although I have experienced that few years ago. I am based in Western Europe, so there is no physical danger for me if I show my 'true colours', i'm not a citizen of their republic so they couldn't and wouldn't do nothing about my 'apostasy' lol. I'm not afraid to lose job neither as I'm leaving them in two months to move abroad anyway for other reasons. My only concern was severing my relations with people at the end of my period there. I want to develop my career and positive references are important to me from my boss, but if he asks me if I'm fasting I might just say I don't due to certain personal reasons (which is true after all), leaving him to interpret it the way he likes. My co-workers are a bigger issue as I am closer with them and they would insist on asking what kind of problem I have, is it a health issue or something. I think that I'm going to tell that I'm not fasting for some reasons and then keep quiet. This seems better than lying because at least they won't invite me for iftar and won't ask questions like how was your iftar or what did you have for sehri (meal before sunrise). I would not worry about lying in this case even if lying is wrong because it is a lie that has lasted for a while anyway in your case I didn't lie so far, I just avoided talking about religion and when they asked if I'm going to fast ramadhan this year I said 'Yes, Insha Allah' Silence is a good solution when words would bring storm. Last night before going to sleep I had this thought about Mary(Miriam) who was commanded not to explain anything after giving birth to Isa. I feel that this could be right in my case as I would be truthful for myself and God and avoiding reasons for conflict... The only challenge would be not to discuss this stuff and avoid answering their questions or answering them enigmatically without them feeling offended. I am often opinionated, adding my few cents and sometimes I even enjoy playing 'devils advocate' to heat the conversations up lol. It's amazing how God gives us individualised challenges to make us improve ourselves!!! My great authority Albert Einstein said, "If A equals success, then the formula isA=X+Y+Z. X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut." <<=== This one is the biggest challenge to me and I'm planning to take it )))) Peace, If they turn aggressive towards you if you tell then they are not worth having as friends anyway and they were just opponents of God in disguise. I would not worry about them but rather worry about God. If any person saying that they have faith in God and then turns oppressive and aggressive towards anyone they do not really have faith, but they are hypocrites, knowing or unknowing, and they are opponents of God and allies. God bless you You are absolutely right, I should worry about God, God protect me!)) Thank you again for kind words and advice! God bless you all! M.

Asslam Alikum, I agree completely with you

How can there be a first month in a calendar that goes around in a circle? -\ Same as how can Ramadan be the ninth month as traditional islam tells us, if there is no starting point? and every year it is at a different time? Someone explain it to me. Please.

Wow thanks. handshake That makes it my birthday tomorrow! 2 days early!! yay It is so interesting that you said "19th May 1984 was the Date 18 of the Fifth Month of the Natural Year. So...The Eighteenth Day of the Fifth Moon of the Natural Year. That is your Absolute Birthday, which never changes." Since my mum told me that I was actually due on the 18th not the 19th. LOL.

The seven day cycle, especially involving this idea that we work 5 days then rest 2 then work 5 days then rest 2 then work 5 days then rest 2 ad infinium is an abomination of the modern world IMO. Apparently, in the ancient celtic culture (Northern Spain, France, Ireland and Britain) before they were colonised with Roman Catholicism who brought the hebrew tradition of the sabbath, they used a 10-day cycle as a 'week' and as well as solar/lunar year calendar. This dispells the widely accepted notion that the '7-day week is natural for mankind everywhere'. Although I suppose it is natural for mankind as everyday is the same for men. Perhaps that is why weekly cycles had to exist so men didn't have to think about what they should be doing and when. rotfl Thankfully women do not have this problem as we have our own in-built cycling mechanism to tell us what's happening. Rather than this unatural 7 day nonesense, I run on my own calendar which is generally 22 days work 7 days rest 22 days work 7 days rest 22 days work 7 days rest and so on. If I had been left to this then I suppose my life would have been quite rosy. But no. Since I was brought up in a culture where women are taught that unless they act like men they don't exist as 'people' and are therefore deserving of abuse, I have had to try and fit myself around this 5 days work 2 days rest pattern and had no end of problems. Only to then be told that society is right as the 7 day week is 'the way it's supposed to be' and therefore it's my body that's wrong brickwall If the 7 day week & sabbath timing was only meant for Jews pre Jesus then I vote we end it immediately, or at the very least exclude all women from having to adhere to it, asap. Okay rant over.