Ramadan 2005
-
Peace Beatnik,
Read my post above, there are various different styles of 'celebration', all focused on the longest day of the year for some reason or other. If we found a historical example of muslims begining their fast on the summer solstice every year it would help Ayman's article and help us learn more. I'm not so much concerned with peoples appreciation for the effects of the sun on the planet and human beings, I'm more interested in Ramadan-specific traits such as fasting, feeding the poor, helping the needy, for a set amount of days (10 for example).
We are told that the only special thing about the scorching full-moon (shahr ramadan) is that the reading was descended in it. So obviously, before this reading was descended, this may not have been a special time for people to abstain in but they abstained at different times.
As for historical evidence from the period after the great reading, we know that the present so-called Islamic calendar seems to have been initiated sometimes around the middle of the 7th century AD. According to internal evidence from the great reading, we know that this calendar severely distorts the timing of the restricted full-moons and results in people violating the restrictions on hunting. This is why hardly anybody obeys the restrictions on hunting according to the so-called Islamic calendar. Hence, the corruption started quite soon after the revelation of the great reading. You can sense the corruption in the illogical stories that describe how Caliph Umar made the present so-called Islamic calendar.
The Quran is in Arabic. You would think that maybe at some point in Saudi history there would be some evidence of Ramadan being set during the summer solstice period? I'm not looking for guidance in that country, I'm looking for precedents and evidence.
Am I not stating myself properly or something? I dont see the problem in investigating history (before creation of other hadith) to look for examples of Ramadan starting June 21/22 every year. If there arent, we should discuss why. Lost records can be one reason, or maybe it never has been set during that date, if so why not? I'm not exactly an academic, but I would find that interesting, rather than just say "Ok, Ramadan is June 21/22 every year! End of story!" and just be done with it.
As I mentioned above, the proper timing for the fast was short lived. It could have only lasted from the time of the revelation of 2185 until perhaps the new calendar system was adopted. However, one can see that hunting restrictions (i.e. the restricted full-moons) have been observed between the summer solstice and the fall and continue to be observed worldwide today.
The scorching full-moon is the first full-moon after the summer solstice. Although this year it happens to occur only a few hours after the solstice, in most years this is not going to be the case and it will not fall on the summer solstice but days after it.
I hope this helps.
Peace and all best wishes,
Ayman
-
Peace all.
I hope those of you who have accepted brother ayman's evaluation are enjoying/or have enjoyed their first day of fasting.
As I said earlier, the wisdom and logic made sense to me, especially after going back and reading through the articles and posts (including the wonderful exchange between ayman and marie).
Then, there was something else that hit me...something that I'd overlooked before. shock
Beatnik, if you look at the moon link in one of your earlier posts, you'll see the names of the various full moons at the top of the page. Look after "Harvest Moon" and you'll see "Hunter's Moon." That means that the next full moon is one that rises at a time when people are out hunting! Therefore, since the restricted months follow the month of Ramadan, it seems unlikely the Harvest Moon is the right moon to take as a sign that it is time to observe the fast.
-
peace be upon you sytalls,
Peace all.
I hope those of you who have accepted brother ayman's evaluation are enjoying/or have enjoyed their first day of fasting.
As I said earlier, the wisdom and logic made sense to me, especially after going back and reading through the articles and posts (including the wonderful exchange between ayman and marie).
Then, there was something else that hit me...something that I'd overlooked before. shock
Beatnik, if you look at the moon link in one of your earlier posts, you'll see the names of the various full moons at the top of the page. Look after "Harvest Moon" and you'll see "Hunter's Moon." That means that the next full moon is one that rises at a time when people are out hunting! Therefore, since the restricted months follow the month of Ramadan, it seems unlikely the Harvest Moon is the right moon to take as a sign that it is time to observe the fast.
I thought yesterday was the first day of abstinence? regardless I had forgotten anyways so I'm going to make it up, I forgot again today too and had taken drinks of water when I worked out and ate a banana but I'm going to abstain the rest of the day cause i remembered right after
-
Peace be to you Idris,
I was going by ayman's post
The burning full-moon ("shahr ramadan") will occur this year on the night of June 21-22 (1214AM EST on June 22). Thus, the abstinence will start on Wednesday June 22 and will last for a completed count of a few days ("ayam ma3doodat") as per 2185. The completion of a count is 10 as per 2196 and 7142.
There was one point, about mid-morning, where I reached for a Diet Coke without thinking. But I remembered just before I opened the bottle that I couldn't have it. Whew...it's easy to forget at the beginning, isn't it? I guess it's because we have so many automatic eating and drinking habits.
One thing I have noticed today...it's been over 20 years since I fasted during this time of year, and there are lots of hours to get through. But today is easier (so far) than even some of the short winter days. I feel "easier" inside about it somehow--like there's a certain rightness.
Except that banana you mentioned does sound sort of good about now.
-
Peace be upon you Sytalls,
I guess it's because we have so many automatic eating and drinking habits.
Yes, we have MANY automatic habits, even our EMOTIONS are really reactions. Whose to say we have to get angry because a certain thing happens or sad because a certain thing happens? What would happen to us if we DIDN't get angry or sad? Would we die?
There are parts of the book(universal law) that are clear, like not eating for a time wont kill you even though you crave it.
And there are parts of the book(universal law) that are similar, like if we do not give into the craving of Emotions, we will not die.
The ancients used the phrase "as above so below".
-
peace be upon you sytalls,
I think Ayman said to start abstinence today rather than yesterday is because the full moon occurs the night before and because the witnessing of the full moon is the sign that abstinence begins (2185) then we start it the next morning
here is my suggestion for a plan that we make you feel great while fasting/abstaining, do some work out (not too much so u absolutely need water to keep from being dehydrated), splash water on your lips or use chapstick if they get dry, take a shower, do some quiet meditation and this all combined with fasting/abstaining is an extremely relaxing experience
-
On the other hand you could just stuff yourself before sunrise. Maybe then you won't be hungry but you'l still feel the absence of the old eating habit, thats stil beneficial on its own isn't it. Perhaps thats why God didn't tell us not to more than usual beofre sunrise, so that even the weak ones like myself could do it.
-
Peace to you Idris,
I think Ayman said to start abstinence today rather than yesterday is because the full moon occurs the night before and because the witnessing of the full moon is the sign that abstinence begins (2185) then we start it the next morning.
Yes, I agree. That's what I understood...that we should start fasting on the 22nd, because the moon would be full the night before.
Around dawn, just after my morning contact-method time, I usually walk the dogs (which is a couple or three miles aroud the fields) or do some yard work. Then I run any errands and try to get phone calls taken care of up until early afternoon. After that, I like to have some time to reflect on spiritual issues while abstaining. Plus, my brain gets cloudier as the day progresses, making it harder to focus on much by the end of the day.
I very much liked what you said about our emotions and your quote from the ancients. There are indeed all sorts of indulgences that a period of abstinence seems to make us more aware of. There's a saying from the Bible I used to hear often...that we do not live by bread alone.
And Peace Natu,
D I think you are quite right...there are no obligations other than abstaining from the white thread of dawn until night.There was this N. African guy I knew some years ago, and he used to go out and play soccer during Ramadan, just to prove he was tough. I didn't see any nobility in deliberate dehydration! Plus, the weather where I live is not only hot, it's very humid. A person can get dehydrated just standing outside for more than a few minutes...much less playing some vigorous outdoor sport. And there I was, on my first fast (which was coincidentally also in June) and feeling like I was barely making it through the day.
After a few years of fasting, it got easier. One thing I now do, for the entire year, is follow a pattern of not eating for 24 hours (although I do drink zero cal liquids), followed by eating whatever I want for the next 24 hours. This seems to keep my metabolism running efficiently. I think it's also greatly helped with appetite control today...instead of thinking of the abstinence as 16+ hours of doing without food, I see it as 8 hours of extra chow time I don't usually have every day. lol
-
"A month beginning Autumn, in which the Quran was sent down as a guide and clarification of the guidance and the criterion. Whoever from you is witness to that month, then let him fast in it. And whoever is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days. God wants to bring you ease and not to bring you hardship; and so that you may complete the count, and glorify God for what He Has guided you, that you may be thankful. " (2185)
Does this mean we were suppose to start our fasting Sept 22,2005 ?
-
Ok I read the article, it still seems I have missed Ramadan for this year.
Am I correct in that assumption?If yes, do i make the days up before the next Ramadan next June ?
Also if I read the article correctly, the fast is for 10 days only, is that correct ?
-
Ok I read the article, it still seems I have missed Ramadan for this year.
Am I correct in that assumption?Yes, you are correct. From what you are saying, it looks like you didn't witness the scorching full-moon ("shahr ramadan").
If yes, do i make the days up before the next Ramadan next June ?
According to 2185, fasting is for those who witnessed the scorching full-moon. You didn't witness it so you don't need to make up anything.
Also if I read the article correctly, the fast is for 10 days only, is that correct ?
Yes.
Peace,
Ayman