Just imagine . . . a 21 hour fast

muslims

Poor muslims in greenland . . . if only Allah they noticed that the earth is a sphere. . . laugh

In 2013, a Lebanese man living in the city of Nuuk in Greenland was reported as being the only Muslim in the country fasting for Ramadan. His fast lasted a total of 21 hours. The man, Wassam Azaqeer, has been living in Greenland for many years and runs a restaurant in Greenland. After fasting 21 hours, Wassam has about three hours to prepare for suhur (sehri) and also to offer Maghrib, Isha and Tarawee prayers; The only Muslim in the island fasts for 21 hours

http//i62.tinypic.com/5khax0.jpg

huruf

I am getting more and more convinced by the idea of the equinox, or the equinoxes. And also of a number of days around ten.

As a general duty, the equinoxial time would make it more feasible and within reach of most persons and still get the benefits of fasting.

On the other hand, since it is a duty, nothing prevents anybody keen on fasting or in need of it, of fasting any time, any day, any length of days... But what is obliged would be something assumable.

Salaam

Zulf

Yeesss, we who live in Sweden are having an appr. 21 hrs fast.
It's just that this number is not even the actual one derived from the light and darkness of the sky... because if we'd go by the light in the sky, we'd have to fast 24hrs. Nice.

Man_of_Faith

Peace Zulf,

A feeling I have says that the Arabic in relevant verses are misunderstood and is supposed to mean from morning until evening and nothing about light phenomena.

Such practice would also be in line with the hearsay of the Bible where they often do things from morning until evening. I do not take it as a divine revelation, but it may represent how people have done their deeds in the past. The only representation of the "torah" (instruction) is the small part of the Old Testament with the book of Moses and hence only a small part of that piece of narrative too where the instruction is presented, ie eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.. or "you shall have no other God than me", or do not commit murder, theft, adultery, false testimony, have idols, adhere/indulge in vain words (conjecture or possibly division into sects) and you shall keep a sabbath in The Master's name (it exists in "Islam" too as the gathering on the fifth day of the week).

If we take the Bible as a semi-true historical representation then fasting may be similar to the abstention from leavened bread and Earthly desires for a period per year in remembrance of God. In the Jews tradition it is for when God led them out of Mesr and they were instructed on the mountain by God with Moses as messenger. It is a similar phenomenon as those who received the "Quran" (the recitation), but accordingly it seems as if the receivers of Quran are to have a harsher remembrance and glorification than those of the past.

This practice with no leavened bread is also mentioned in close proximity with the famous and truthful ten commandments which may indicate that they belong with the instruction.

And sawm does not literally mean fasting but it means abstention which could involve pretty much anything. Maryam was instructed to abstain from speaking. Not saying that is what it is, but it gives a clue. Personally, I begin to draw parallels between the "restricted months" and the abstention where hunting is also not allowed. And I have doubts that shahr is a traditional month or you cannot hunt for 4 months of a year which could be disastrous for a poor man and his family.

What I suspect is that these "months" are highly related to the abstention in the 2184 and onwards and compares much to the celebrations for guidance that was imposed on the receivers of the instruction (torah) with particular abstentions to be more focused on God.

How then the "monster fasts" of traditional Islam and even Christianity (Christians fast(ed) 40 days, to commemorate their idol Jesus' alleged fast in the desert one month, prior to his alleged crucifixion).

My suspicion is that 7,40,70 etc numbers are just an expression to say several, many or vast number which means Jesus went off in the desert for many days (unspecified days) just as Moses were many days and many nights on the mountain to receive revelation.

Same is with the understood person who becomes 40 years old is likely referring to mean many years or mature and not specifically 40 years old. It is a bit individual when a person is ready for responsibility and some people never become mature so the 40 years principle does not work. Some people may be mature at the age of 30.

And God does not want to make things hard for you and thus he implements a fast of 30 days on you to show that (!) Does it not ring a bell for you?

However, it may refer to fast from forenoon until evening if there is a fast. Remember that the fasting is meant to make you righteous and that is the purpose. If you feel forced to make a fast and then do not feel it brings you closer to God then it cannot be right. Fasting is also often prescribed as a punishment in the recitation and if there is no gain in the particular fast then I would not do it.

Fasting may bring humbleness and a way of seeking forgiveness for sins, but not in my life I could believe that people are supposed to fast daytime for a month to learn to appreciate the decree and judgment sent down. And if they would do righteous deeds it clearly would be more righteous than inflicting suffering on yourself for an extensive period.

And if a person is already guided and very heeding of God's command and carries out what is supposied to be delivered then to what use is the fasting? The reward is suffering in fasting?

On the other hand; the person who has been a bad person, then fasting may be a way of repent once a year for his/her sins. And the person who does not feel God is near may fast to show his/her sadness that God is not near and perchance God will heed the call.

God bless you

muslims

I don't think Allah mentioned "fasting" is about not taking food and drink in the month of Ramadhan

I believe it means something else. . . it is about husband and wife not approaching each other during Ramadhan.
and maybe the system is something related to human mating and non mating season etc. . .

. . .

This is the only verse in the Quran that mention fasting is about not taking "food and drink", ie. 2.187. .
other verses are about husband and wife, or sexual relationship etc. (refer here)

fasting (&#1616 nights (&#1614 for you (&#1618 Permitted (&#1617
.your wives (&#1618 to (&#1648 the approach (&#1615 <- main subject matter

for you (&#1618 garments (&#1612 They ( &#1617
.for them (&#1617 garments (&#1612 and you (&#1618

yourselves (&#1618 deceive (&#1614 used to (&#1618 that you (&#1618 Allah (&#1615 Knows ( &#1614
.you (&#1618 and He forgave (&#1575 towards you (&#1618 so He turned (&#1614

have relations with them (&#1617 So now (&#1614
.for you ( &#1754 Allah (&#1615 has ordained (&#1614 what (&#1575 and seek (&#1575

And eat (&#1575 <- the story diverted, I believe it does not mean "eat and drink" (9, 10)
and drink (&#1575
to you (&#1615 becomes distinct (&#1614 until (&#1648
.dawn (&#1616 of (&#1614 black (&#1616 the thread (&#1616 from (&#1614 white (&#1615 the thread (&#1615
.the night (&#1616 till (&#1609 the fast (&#1614 complete (&#1575 Then (&#1617

have relations with them (&#1617 And not (&#1575
.the masajid (&#1616 in (&#1610 secluded (&#1614 while you (&#1618 <- anyone dare to do this? laugh
.approach them (&#1575 so not (&#1575 Allah (&#1616 limits (&#1615 These (&#1614

His verses (&#1616 Allah (&#1615 makes clear (&#1615 Thus (&#1614
.righteous (&#1614 so that they may (&#1618 for people (

2.187

The is further supported by the above fasting times around the world. . . 21 hours ? confused

muslims

because if we'd go by the light in the sky, we'd have to fast 24hrs. Nice.

then it means they have to fast the whole month of Ramadhan. . .no food and drink for 30 days, and without Eid al-Fitr . . . no one left to celebrate. laugh

amin

My views on the Islamic rituals,

Fasting - A reminder for our once starving life style.

Hajj - An exercise to remind us about our once nomadic life, traveling relieve of our stresses, make us learn new things also an ancient practice found in all cultures. For example in most Hindu cultures, they travel once in a year to their native temples somewhere in remote places, along with their family and relatives, cook food, share, and relax.

Salat/Prayers - Once humans were ego less, limited himself to just survive, but modern society needs more, more greedy, more egoistic. Prayer is one of the important way to remind us about being ego less.

Why we need to look back at those? It's needed since way we are now is because we've crossed those stages, those formed part of our evolution and humans has the risk of loosing our existing biological capabilities if we forget those early ways.

These are not only found in Islam, every culture has these in one form or other, but only in Islam its too much codified and ritualistic.

muslims

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.