Hot/"ramadan" Answer
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All,
I do not agree with this. I do not think that this is the logic behind the etymology of the meaning of 'stages' as it concerns nazala.
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And say "O my Lord! Enable me to disembark with Thy blessing for Thou art the Best to enable (us) to disembark." (23-29)
And say "My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land." (23-29)
You are right; here God is ordering the prophet to ask for the blessed Rank (Manzilan) because God is the best when rewarding Ranks (kair El-Monzalin) in Heaven (and not the best in lowring and decending the true believers in ranks of Heaven)
Peace
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Salam ayman. Simply because you personally believe that translations are a magic incantation whereby everything is solved, does not mean thats is true. Even if we examine your claim, to give you fair hearing on the issue, the phrase "shahr ramadan" gets stuck in the starting gate.
I have seen mutiple translations of the word shahr to begin with, month, period, moon, moon goddess, are some of the ones I have seen. Who is to say which one of these is the right one, I am sure people will choose a different translation for different reasons. The word ramadan is alternately claimed to be a proper noun, a derivative of the word ramd meaning to burn, and even then a dispute arises as to whether ramd means burn, when other words are used for burn in the Quran.
I am sure this will lead to forum members insisting they have the answer and that the other person is wrong based on their own personal education and biases. Some people look only in Arabic dictionaries, some people obssess over diacritical marks, some people go to lexicons, you know the drill as well as I do.
Inshallah keeping an open mind on the subject is the best way to go at this point. Claiming we know what everyone should do is improper on weak grounds such as this. Reasonable observance of fasting is the best course.
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Every year, a common occurrence is a dispute between followers of various sects about when so-called Ramadan starts and ends. This year is no exception and some countries ended their so-called Ramadan one day before others.
In the so-called Islamic calendar the start of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon. The sighting of the new crescent moon is not an easy task and only expert observers under optimal viewing conditions can see the new-moon crescent. Hence, the vast majority of people never sees the new-moon crescent and only sees the 1-2 day old crescent. This difficulty is a major reason for the annual dispute about the timing. What many people don't know is that the start of so-called Ramadan depends on a myriad of other factors other than the sighting of the new-moon crescent.
The current so-called Islamic calendar was established during the time of Caliph Omar, long after the death of the prophet and the revelation of the great reading. This is confirmed by archeological evidence from coins and manuscripts of the era.
Interestingly, the word "hijri" doesn't appear on manuscripts until much later so we don't really know what this arbitrary dating of the new era was based on.
One of the factors that affects when present-day so-called Ramadan starts depends on when the start of the so-called Islamic calendar was set. For example, had its start been set for three years earlier, then this year the dating of Ramadan would have been a month earlier. As I mentioned above, we know from verifiable archeological evidence that the new calendar was established around 638 AD, long after the prophet's time. Several generations later, a story circulated that Omar decided after consultation with others to make the year of the "hijra" the first date of the new era. So the timing of Ramadan today is dependent not only on the sighting of the new crescent moon but on an arbitrary decision that was made many centuries ago.
As a side note, traditionalists also contend that the prophet first started to abstain in the second year after migration/"hijra". So according to them this means that 2185 was revealed early in Yathrib. The traditionalists contend that Chapter 9 (where they claim there is the alleged calendar modification order) was revealed in the last year of the prophet's life. By holding to this traditional view and backdating the so-called Islamic calendar to the alleged first year of "hijra" sectarians imply that all his life, the prophet abstained on the wrong dates (see Appendix).
Another factor that the start of the present so-called Ramadan depends on is the order of the months at the time the new calendar system was adopted. In "pre-quranic" times, the Arabs didn't use a single standard calendar. Arabs used calendars based on 4, 5, and 6-season system. Some "pre-quranic" Arabs used the calendar system of the Persians. Others used the calendar system of the Jews and some used the calendar system of the Romans. The Nabataeans used to align the months with the zodiac and hence some Arabs used the star based calendar system. Rabi3 months etymology denotes grazing in spring and fall. In Arabia the rainy season, which would promote the growth of grasses for grazing, occurs during autumn. This is confirmed by what is known about Arabs using a 6 season system that split fall into Rabi3 Althani (early fall) and Kharif (late fall) prior to the so-called Islamic calendar. In this system each season lasted two months. The new Omar Calendar that we have today has a different order for the months. The arbitrary decision to rearrange the order of the months also affects when the present day so-called Ramadan occurs.
Hence, in addition to the sighting of the new crescent moon, we have two other completely arbitrary factors affecting when so-called Ramadan starts. Hence, for all intents and purposes, the current so-called Ramadan is completely arbitrary and it is no different than randomly picking a month for abstaining.
The problem of pinpointing an arbitrary month called Ramadan is the same type of problem that the Jews, Christians, and sectarians face in pinpointing their "holy" days in the arbitrary week. For example, sectarians claim that Friday, which they named Al-Jum3at (as opposed to the common noun "ywm al-jum3at"/time of gathering in the great reading), is a special "holy" day where, according to their traditions, Adam was created. What is hard for many people to understand is that the week is completely arbitrary. Hence, the fact is that the week has not always been seven days. Weeks from 4 to 20 days were observed. For example, the ancient Egyptians used a 10-day week while the Mayans used a 20-day week. The week was typically the interval from one market day to the next. Four to 20 days gave farmers and craftsmen enough time to gather and transport products to sell. Hence, when Friday occurs depends on when the present seven day week was arbitrarily adopted and which day it started with.
There is nothing wrong or forbidden with an arbitrary timeframe in itself. The problem is to act as if The God somehow has to conform to the man-made arbitrary timeframes and to say to people that The God ordered you to fast in this or that completely arbitrary timeframe or take that arbitrary day as "holy". Another problem with such arbitrary timeframes is that errors made at the beginning of their adoption are propagated into the future and get larger and larger. This shouldn't be the case because we are not responsible for the errors of those who came before us. Hence, an effective method of specifying a timeframe shouldn't be one that allows such errors to propagate. It should be one that allows those who have faith at any point of time to obey The God's command correctly irrespective of what their predecessors decided to do or not to do. This is impossible with the current so-called Islamic calendar, which as we saw is influenced by decisions made centuries ago. Another problem is that, as we saw earlier, now and in the past people used different calendars, a universal command that is to be understood by everybody would best be based on clear cosmic phenomena and not on man-made calendars.
Now that we presented the problem, let's look in the great reading for the solution.
2183 O you who have believed, you are ordered to fast as those before you were , it could be that you fear and obey ( God).
2184 (At) certain times ; so whoever of you be ill or on a journey, then finish at differnt times. And concerning those who cannot endure it, you redeem by feeding any (of the) poorest of the poor ; and whoever gives alms volutarily then it is best for him; and it is best that you fast, if you are able.
2185 The Quran was sent down (in the) hottest month, to guide the people and (to) clarify the guidance and the Difference between Right and Wronge. So one should fast the entire month, whoever of you witnesses it. And whoever be ill or on a journey, then finish on different days . God wants you with flexiblness and not with hardship; and so that you may complete the term, and glorify God for what He has guided you, that you may be thankful.
eat
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yay
Praise be to Allah eat
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Salaam everyone
I have noticed that when anyone asks Ayman a question he comes up with his verdict. This habit goes against the practice of the prophet. From the sample of Qur?an verses below we learn how he replied to concerns raisedonly after seeking guidance from God
2189 They ask thee concerning the crescent moons /New Moons/ phases of the moon!. Say .....
2215 They ask thee what they should spend (In charity). Say.....
2217 They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited MONTH. Say " ....
219 They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say ......Therefore I don't need to remind that for all answers here (unless one's personal opinion) we need to give evidence from the Quran and on the subject of witnessing Ramadan, please correct me if I am wrong, the verses below confirm that it?s not only eyes and ears that bear witness, but even one?s skin bears witness.
4120 At length, when they reach the (Fire), their hearing, their sight, and their SKINs will bear witness against them, as to (all) their deeds.
4121 They will say to their SKINs "Why bear ye witness against us?" They will say "(Allah) hath given us speech,- (He) Who giveth speech to everything He created you for the first time, and unto Him were ye to return.
4122 "Ye did not seek to hide yourselves, lest your hearing, your sight, and your SKINs should bear witness against you! But ye did think that Allah knew not many of the things that ye used to do!
I would therefore ask Ayman again Do you still think there is no obligation on the blind to fast and, if so, where is the evidence for that ???
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
peace
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Performance agreement
Desired Results - ( This is what The God expexts of all the believers muscle )
- Fast the entire month (of) hottness. 2184 - 185 handshake
Guidelines- ( This is what not to do ) nope
(1.)It has been made lawful for you during the night of fasting to approach your women sexually. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. God knows that you used to betray your souls so He has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now you may approach them and seek what God has written for you. And you may eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night; and do not approach them while you are devoted in the temples. These are God?s boundaries, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God makes His revelations clear to the people that they may be righteous. 2187 police
Accountabilities- ( This is the standard performance that is expected of you,how you are to fast, and what you will be held accountable for )
(1.) Eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then complete the fast until night; 2187 handshake eat handshake
Consequenses elektro & elektro
Rewards - ( These are the benifits of fasting yay)
3335 Surely, .... the fasting men, and the fasting women,........ God has prepared for them a forgiveness and a great recompense. pr yay angel
Punishments - ( These are the penaltys for not fasting the hottest month &
N/A wow o wow
peace jedi
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Peace,
Belal, you used this verse as proof that manzil means any stage. However this word is munzal, and not manzil. Munzal is the verbal noun and place noun for form 4 anzala which is ' to cause to descend.' munzal means either making something descend (inzaal) or a place where something is made to descend (munzal). Manzil is where something descend on it's own.
(
Godbless,
Anwar -
4817 There is no burden on the blind, nor is there any burden on the cripple, nor is there on the sick any burden. And whosoever obeys God and His messenger, He will admit them into paradises with rivers flowing beneath; and whosoever turns away, He will punish him with a painful retribution
jedi
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Peace,
I want to respond to this
ma3duuda means few; 3adeeda means many. No context would change their meaning.
To those who can read Arabic (cut-and-paste from lisaanul 3arab). .
What I also find interesting in this quote the phrase about the ten days of Dhul Hijja
The first part of this definition is referring to the islamic ritual of Hajj and its names. The first meaning of the phrase al-ayyaamul-ma3doodaatu is a religious meaning connected to hajj rituals. Hence the day of nahr (the day of Immolation or slaughter) done on the 10 of dhul-hijjah. So this meaning is an islamic interpretation of the phrase. At the very least it is a religious pagan Arab interpretation of the phrase. In both cases the phrase DOES have literal meaning outside of these two non-Quranic religious contexts. Notice the religous interpretation of al-ayaam al-ma3loomaat that follows the first definition.
Now if we pay attention to what Zujaaj has to say in this citation he says that ma3dood is a count small or large. But he claims that alif, taa has diminutive properties. He cites durayhimaat (which is strange because durayhim is already the diminutive of dirham, and durayhimaat is plural. My guess is that the word is used exclusively in the meaning of a few small dirhams, exactly equalling daraahima qaleelatun). I'm not sure how Hammaamaat is diminutive.
But he then says that the alif ta may also be used for takthir, implying plurality.
On that level I would like to say that the dictionary is saying that ma3doodaat can be few (obviosly coming from it's use as numbered, i.e. limited) as well as plural implying many with no particular count involved.
As far as the female plural being used for plural inanimate objects. I'd like to point out that samawaat is referred to as hunna (229, and in Iraqi dialect inaminate plurals can still be reffered to as hin or hun, a leftover from Classical Arabic), ayyaam is refered to as ma3loomaat (280 is a singular female use and wouldn't fall under the diminutive possibility used in the above definition) and ma3doodaat on more than a few occasions in the Quran. A more nuetral and very common Quranic example is ayaaatun bayyinaatun (299).
With that said I'd like to clarify
- In classical Arabic feminine plural can be used to describe plural inanimate objects.
- Ma3dood, Ma3doodah, Ma3doodaaat (and even possibly ma3doodoona or ma3aadid or ma3aadeed) means numbered or counted primarily and literally. But it can take a diminutive meaning of 'few' through its meaning of numbered or limited. A good English example is 'your days are numbered.'
- Ma3dood in no way ONLY means few.
- The limitation of time as it concerns Ramadan and pilgrimage depends on the Quranic implication of shahr, and not the other way around.
Godbless,
Anwar -
4817 There is no burden on the blind, nor is there any burden on the cripple, nor is there on the sick any burden. And whosoever obeys God and His messenger, He will admit them into paradises with rivers flowing beneath; and whosoever turns away, He will punish him with a painful retribution
jedi
Salaam Anthony and everyone,
Indeed!! As I understand from the verse above, there is no undue expectations on the physically impaired and, performing within their capacity will earn them a reward on par with that of the able.
However the argument was ?how can one witness a month?? so it must, here, imply the scorching moon, "shahr ramadan".
As we learn from verses 4120, 21, 22, it is confirmed that the skin is capable of witnessing and will testify.
One can witness a month simply by being present in that month, as the skin is in touch with the atoms/molecules , water vapor mixture of gases, temperature etc., present at such a time. In this world one?s finger prints and DNA can also testify against a person, but just imagine a blind one saying to God, on the Day of Judgement, ?I did not witness the month of Ramadan?. His skin will then speak out against him.b.? those amongst you who witnessed?? exclude only those who are mentally incapacitated.
These verses also made me realise that the deaf, the dumb and the blind are not excluded from testifying.
How does a deaf or dumb person bear witness?
By the use of eyes and skin, which would include using sign language, as well as employing writing tools. In both cases the skin is used to bear witness. Similarly a deaf person, capable of speaking, may use his sight and his lips/skin .
A blind person can use the skin (to feel with), along with the ears to witness and, regarding the month of Ramadan, a blind person has witnessed it simply by being present in his body, in that month .This, in my opinion, is conclusive evidence, but I would welcome any input from others.
Peace,
- In classical Arabic feminine plural can be used to describe plural inanimate objects.
- Ma3dood, Ma3doodah, Ma3doodaaat (and even possibly ma3doodoona or ma3aadid or ma3aadeed) means numbered or counted primarily and literally. But it can take a diminutive meaning of 'few' through its meaning of numbered or limited. A good English example is 'your days are numbered.'
- Ma3dood in no way ONLY means few.
- The limitation of time as it concerns Ramadan and pilgrimage depends on the Quranic implication of shahr, and not the other way around.
Godbless,
AnwarI hope we can now look into a timing device, using the sun and the moon, as a next step forward.
peace
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Peace,
Belal, you used this verse as proof that manzil means any stage. However this word is munzal, and not manzil. Munzal is the verbal noun and place noun for form 4 anzala which is ' to cause to descend.' munzal means either making something descend (inzaal) or a place where something is made to descend (munzal). Manzil is where something descend on it's own.
Godbless,
AnwarPeace Anwar
How would you translate verse 10-5
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Thanks
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Peace everyone,
2185 Shahr Ramadan, which the Quran was descended in it
Which is Ramadan?
Solstice Moon Illusion June 16, 2008 Full Strawberry Moon or Rose Moon
http//science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/images/moonillusion/Kasaitis1_strip.jpg
Harvest Moon - September
http//www.earthsky.org/images/13821.jpg
This is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon.
Hunter's Moon - October
http//www.nightskyinfo.com/sky_highlights/hunters_moon/full_moon_small.jpg
With the leaves falling and the deer fattened, it is time to hunt. Since the fields have been reaped, hunters can easily see fox and the animals which have come out to glean.
443 ?We descended it in a blessed night
971 ?We descended it in night Al-Qadr
973 Night Al-Qadr better than a thousand shahr
Better than 1000 full moons or 1000 months?
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Peace Nun,
2185 Shahr Ramadan, which the Quran was descended in it
Which is Ramadan?
Solstice Moon Illusion June 16, 2008 Full Strawberry Moon or Rose MoonOut of all the full-moons that you listed, the solstice moon takes the lowest path accross the horizon and thus has the most vivid reddish color and stays red the longest (thus the name strawberry/rose moon)
http//science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast14jun_1.htm
There are actually two solstice moons, the one right before the summer solstice and the one right after the summer solstice. So which one is it?
The word "ramadan"/scorching has two connotation (1) the color red (2) hot. Naturally, the solstice moon after the summer solstice would be the one that best fits those two criteria.
I hope this helps.
Peace,
Ayman
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Peace rsw,
what if it's cloudy?
Same as if underground or cannot see. None are accountable for circumstances beyond their control.
btw, interesting reading your story in the other thread.
Peace Ayman,
Out of all the full-moons that you listed, the solstice moon takes the lowest path accross the horizon and thus has the most vivid reddish color and stays red the longest (thus the name strawberry/rose moon)
http//science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast14jun_1.htm
There are actually two solstice moons, the one right before the summer solstice and the one right after the summer solstice. So which one is it?
The word "ramadan"/scorching has two connotation (1) the color red (2) hot. Naturally, the solstice moon after the summer solstice would be the one that best fits those two criteria.
Yes when I first saw the huge moon it freaked me out; thought it was going to crash into earth.
Moonrise, Moonset and Moonphase for Saudi Arabia ? Makkah ? July 2008
http//www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=151&month=7&year=2008&obj=moon&afl=-11&day=1
June 21 2008 Begins Summer in the Northern Hemisphere
Next full moon occurred 30 days later in day time...
Date Illuminated Phase
Jul 16, 2008 97.8%
Jul 17, 2008
Jul 18, 2008 99.8% Full at 1059 AM
Jul 19, 2008 99.7%
Jul 20, 2008 97.4%How do we witness which night/day is Ramadan?
Also, its clear Quran was sent in a night 971 ?
973 the night Al-Qadr better than a thousand shahr
Was that ?night? (i.e. time sunset to dawn) better than a thousand full moon snapshots witnessed?
Or
Better than a thousand months (i.e. lunar cycles x 1000 = 80.852076 years or lifetime witnessed)?
These Google algorithms are smart.
http//www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1C1GGLS_en-USUS291&q=lunar+cycles+x+1000&btnG=SearchPeace
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Peace Ayman,
To clarify a bit on the first question...
Next full moon occurred 30 days later in day time...
Date Illuminated Phase
Jul 16, 2008 97.8%
Jul 17, 2008
Jul 18, 2008 99.8% Full at 1059 AM
Jul 19, 2008 99.7%
Jul 20, 2008 97.4%How do we witness/know which of the four phases is full moon?
http//s4.tinypic.com/24faadt.jpg
Learning Things
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5riBjv3MZyUPeace
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Peace all,
How do we witness/know which of the four phases is full moon?
Some time ago I noticed that the full moon rose after the sun set. I didn'it verify the illumination percentage but my hunch would be that the full moon with the highest percentage of illumination would be the night it rose after the sunset.
adjwi
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I just got a ? (2)
Is this the month OF hotness or not?
In other words, is this the moon of redness or not?
iN OTHER WORDS IS IT THE THE TIME OF FASTING OR NOT?
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Peace adjwi,
Some time ago I noticed that the full moon rose after the sun set. I didn'it verify the illumination percentage but my hunch would be that the full moon with the highest percentage of illumination would be the night it rose after the sunset.
adjwi
Use link below and check the full moon for your area after June 21st and notice sometimes they appear in the daytime and varying hours as well.
Moonrise, Moonset and Moonphase for Saudi Arabia ? Makkah ? July 2008
http//www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=151&month=7&year=2008&obj=moon&afl=-11&day=1
Jul 16, 2008 97.8%
Jul 17, 2008
Jul 18, 2008 99.8% Full at 1059 AM
Jul 19, 2008 99.7%Take a look at the picture I posted earlier and imagine walking outside seeing each of those four moons individually (don't have luxury to compare next to each other) -- how would be able to tell which is the full moon with less than .3% Illuminated Phase difference?
The new moon waxing crescent (D in DOC) stands out as does waning crescent C...
http//farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2472224091_c9637ac4f8.jpg?v=0
I just got a ? (2)
Is this the month OF hotness or not?
In other words, is this the moon of redness or not?
iN OTHER WORDS IS IT THE THE TIME OF FASTING OR NOT?
We're getting there anthony.
Peace
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Salaaman Anthoney,
What??? ???
I just got a ? (2)
Is this the month OF hotness or not?
In other words, is this the moon of redness or not?
iN OTHER WORDS IS IT THE THE TIME OF FASTING OR NOT?
You said you got "a" ?
Then you extended to (2)
And finally asked THREElaugh
Regards,
mmKhan