Ramadan is dangerous for muslim countries
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I do not know if this topic has been up before. But the traditional Ramadan month seems to be a disaster for muslim majority countries. Please take a look
Irritability
Irritability was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers before the beginning of Ramadan. It was higher in both groups during the Ramadan month. Irritability increased continuously during Ramadan and reached its peak at the end of the month. Consumption of psychostimulants (coffee and tea) and anxiety level followed the same pattern. Smokers and nonsmokers had a similar pattern of irritability over time, but irritability increased more in smokers than in nonsmokers.
Wael Bakor, 29, marketing manager at a major company in Jeddah, expressed regret at the attitude of employees. ?Unfortunately, people become more tense and irritated during Ramadan. One can easily notice the bad moods, the tension and the inability to put up with anyone or anything,? he said.Crime Rate
Director of Jakarta Police?s General Crime Unit, Sr. Comr. Muhammad Iriawan called on Jakarta residents to be alert as crimes tended to increase during the fasting month of Ramadan
violence
The month of Ramadan often sees an increase in violence and anti-social behavior towards religious minorities living among a large Muslim population. In some Muslim majority countries like Algeria, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and in parts of the United Arab Emirates, it is against the law to eat or drink in public during fasting hours, and violating these laws can involve jail-time or expulsion.
Last year during Ramadan, there was an upsurge against Christians in the Muslim world,? says Jerry Dykstra of Open Doors, USALow productivity during Ramadan
An employee at a construction material company, who preferred anonymity, said ?Everything is slow in Ramadan and I myself tend to delay work. The only fast thing I see in Ramadan is lunatic drivers speeding to get home for iftar.?
In Ramzan the working hours are nine to one. That?s it. And in these four hours work is the last thing on the workers? mind. Go to any government office during these four hours and you will encounter a grouchy, lazy and sick-of-life person with bad breath (apparently even brushing your teeth in the morning is not kosher if you are fasting). No matter how urgent your work, leave the place and come back after two and a half months in the third week of Muharram. This man is in no mood to do anything. He?d rather go home and watch an Indian movie till he breaks fast.[I stop here, but you can read the full article which points out many more negative effects of Ramadan in muslim societies http//my.telegraph.co.uk/abdulmuhd/amuhd/1002/the-effects-of-fasting/
My question is if the traditional Ramadan fasting is the same as the quranic Ramadan fasting (as some here believe) and keeping in mind the above adverse affects of fasting, then why did God want muslims to suffer physically, socially and economically for one month every year?
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Maha,
Re your question
My question is if the traditional Ramadan fasting is the same as the quranic Ramadan fasting (as some here believe) and keeping in mind the above adverse affects of fasting, then why did God want muslims to suffer physically, socially and economically for one month every year?
God makes it clear and in several places in the Koran that he intends no hardship on us. God DID NOT tell us to go without food, water from sunrise to sunset for one month every year.
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Peace Maha
Hehehe, I knowyou bring this evidences, just because you want avoid fasting, is that right? )
Maha, the purpose we live in this world is for testing our faith, so it can determine we enter hell or heaven, it's depending on our actions.
So that's why Allah give tests to us, to testing our faith.Fasting is one of the tests.I actually hate fasting and fasting is the most ibadah I ever hated, but because it's Allah's commandment, so I will sacrifice myself to do it no matter what.
Fasting is hard, but it's not hard as torture in Nazi concentration camp.
Salaam
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Peace Earthdom,
You are so wrong. God has told us he didn't want to make life difficult for us. - which is exactly what all the 'Muslims' are doing at the moment. They are ignoring God, the Koran and not using their intelligence as they follow each other blindly like sheep!
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Peace Maha
Hehehe, I knowyou bring this evidences, just because you want avoid fasting, is that right? )
Maha, the purpose we live in this world is for testing our faith, so it can determine we enter hell or heaven, it's depending on our actions.
So that's why Allah give tests to us, to testing our faith.Fasting is one of the tests.I actually hate fasting and fasting is the most ibadah I ever hated, but because it's Allah's commandment, so I will sacrifice myself to do it no matter what.
Fasting is hard, but it's not hard as torture in Nazi concentration camp.
Salaam
I do not think God plays that kind of games, as if he didn't trust or know what he has created. It is not to test us to see who is going to go here or there. He nows everything. and he creates and oes what he wants. If he wanted oncly creatures that would enver suffer, He would. It is ridiulous that he would give ramadan to test us, life is a test, the whole life. Plenty of test.
Ramadan is given like everything else for our own good. You understand by it whatever you want, but it is not a test it is for our benefit. And God says everything he gives is for our own benefit. It is not said that if you do observe Ramadan you will go to hell. If you do not do ramadan you will not get the benefits of ramadan, as simple as that.
Salaam
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the "not make life difficult for us" argument is dangerous IMO when used to negate fasting.
Some people think not giving in to sexual desires is difficult. Is Allah making life difficult for us by telling us not to commit adultery?
Ask an alcoholic if he can stop drinking, he will tell you Allah is making life difficult for him by expecting him not to drink
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Peace Ak85,
God does not ask us not to drink. Please check the Koran. As for Ramadan, where I live, if you are fasting food, you start to fast at about 2.35 am and end your fast at 11.10 pm. Please tell me how that can be God making life easy?!! -
Peace Ak85,
God does not ask us not to drink. Please check the Koran. As for Ramadan, where I live, if you are fasting food, you start to fast at about 2.35 am and end your fast at 11.10 pm. Please tell me how that can be God making life easy?!!Peace dawngorgeous,
There is an issue of the actual physical and livable nature of this and that is something that one can consider, and it isn't wrong to. Even people who fast from food might adapt their fast at this time. In addition to some other things, your meals and water per day are not unethical so it doesn't seem right to compare it to adultery and alcoholism or other unethical behaviours or extreme behaviours - as mentioned previously not you.
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Well God also says that he will test the faithful with hardship. And the Quran doesn't forbid alcohol, but it says it is a tool of the devil to cause enmity between man, along with gambling. I'll admit this year the timing will make it difficult, and we should try our best to adhere to it as much as possible. To say it is not necessary though is something different. Just my opinion.
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peace
Denying ramadam. What else will you deny unbelievers? "God".
If you will show no evidence, save your thoughts, for hate conjecture. And, I hate it more when it comes from Hypocrite people who claim to follow Qur'an alone.
6116 Now if thou pay heed unto the majority of those on earth, they will but lead thee astray from the path of God they follow but conjectures, and they themselves do nothing but guess.
1036 And most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Certainly, conjecture can be of no avail against the truth. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.
450 Look how they invent about Allah untruth, and sufficient is that as a manifest sin.God loves us, God loves us, God loves us, and he does not want us to suffer, yeah. I bet many of you are hypocrite Christians "'jesus loves us, jesus loves us, jesus loves us".
2276.......and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.
332Say Obey Allah and the Messenger; but if they turn back, then surely Allah does not love the unbelievers.
4107And do not argue on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Indeed, Allah loves not one who is a habitually sinful deceiver.
I would like to see the day when your enemy is about to slaughter you and you will be kissing his feet not to kill you, for you will not fight, for God does not want you to suffer. Hypocrites.
2411 Indeed, those who came with falsehood are a group among you. Do not think it bad for you; rather it is good for you. For every person among them is what he has earned from the sin, and he who took upon himself the greater portion thereof - for him is a great punishment.Fasting is not suffering/difficult/hard, nor makes anybody angry/irritable/unhapy, except for the hypocrites unbelievers.
may God increase our wisdom. -
Wrkmmn
Hypocrites and unbelievers - huh? Well, you are entitled to your opinions to which you will be held accountable for. Keep in mind everything you say and do is all recorded.
For as horribly as the verses pertaining to Ramadan is translated, here is the verse
2 184 (Y. Ali) (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.
God does not call anyone who does not Ayyaman maAAdoodatin hypocrites and unbelievers. I suggest that you stop quoting the Koran inappropriately.
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Peace all,
When I smoke the first time, l feel discomfort;
When I drink alcohol the first time, I feel discomfort;
When I take a medicine the first time, I feel discomfort;
When I lie the first time, I feel discomfort;
When I sin the first time, i feel discomfort;The next time, my discomfort is reduced. Now I will start to believe - this is ok, its not wrong; now i will accept any knowledge that suits my present condition.
The first time I felt discomfort, this is the direct communication from God to warn me that I am doing wrong. When I repeat the wrong doing, I will start becoming deaf to my inner voice. My deafness to my inner voice is increased every time when I repeat a wrong doing.
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Peace Wrkmm
Then there must be a lot of unhappy Muslims out there, in fact, billions !! I just feel sorry for them. Following like sheep, never using their intelligence. -
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Peace,
I think there is no one who reads and is well-versed in Arabic excludes that Ramadhan involves abstention from food and drink. Are the verses not pretty straight-forward?
My only curiousity is if Ramadhan truly involves a full month of fasting. But it must at least involve 10 days I have discovered.
The main health hazard of the Ramadhan that I think about is binge eating after the fast is over. People think you should compensate and eat as much as you can to "stock up" before going back to fasting again in the morning. The easiest way to persevere the fasting is to eat a moderate amount of food. You can also prepare the body for the fast by reducing the intake a while before Ramadhan. Our bodies are well designed by nature to withstand periods of famine and the only problem is the shock the body gets by giving it lots of food and then no food and lots of food and no food and so on. That is the biggest issue. Of course already vulnerable people through any medical condition could face a potentional risk, but the Quran does not force people to fast in case it is a hardship for them. I take that verse as sick and poor people might skip fasting. The fasting is for reverent, healthy Believers.
The fasting was prescribed before the Quran was revealed to the 'Children of Israel' and the Bible talks about fasting, but not for a full month as far as I know.
Differently from how traditional muslims observe the fasting it should not begin as early in the morning as many of them stop eating when it is still dark outside. In fact, it is a bit silly that the Fajr adhan is called when they is no light whatsoever in the sky. It is a dawn prayer, not night prayer. And many muslims, at least Shia, wait for unnecessarily long until they start eating again.
Peace Justamuslim,
Abdullah Yusuf Ali translated pretty much literally, that is why his translation may be considered "poor". The word/phrase order is many times following the original Arabic. And he was using archaic English, however his translations are fairly old, in fact from the 1930's.If you can prove me by thoroughly proving that the verses about fasting do not mean fasting from food or drink then I may rethink my stand. I am not impossible, but nothing has made me think otherwise so far. I want the Truth and to follow the Quran as accurately as possible. I sometimes think about the meaning of the fasting and all that and what God meant, but found no other explanation than the traditional understanding.
God bless you all
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salam man of faith.
Peace,
I think there is no one who reads and is well-versed in Arabic excludes that Ramadhan involves abstention from food and drink. Are the verses not pretty straight-forward?
i am the one.
19-26 "So eat and drink and be happy. If you see any human being, then say 'I have vowed an abstinence (SAOUM) for the Almighty, so I will not talk today to any of mankind.'"
let see now this2187 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 MASJID . These are the boundaries of God, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God clarifies His revelations to the people who they may be righteous.
as you see
before "white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn", you can approach wome, eat and drunk
after no more approach womenReally i dont know from where people get the non drinking and non eating belief.
Peace
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Salaam,
You should not generalise the whole Islamic community just because some members are not experiencing positive things from fasting. FYI, I become much more peaceful, controlled, and focused on work when I am fasting. Whether you want to believe it or not, charity increases in the month of Ramadan (my friends in Indonesia right now are collecting charity and donation won't stop flowing).
So there are always two sides to look at things. Unfortunately you only focus on the negative and dangerous things, and fail to look at positive things.
It is up to you to choose not to fast because you believe it is not mandated by the Qur'aan. But may I request that you do not try to paint negative light on others who believe and practice differently from you.
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salam man of faith.
i am the one.
19-26 "So eat and drink and be happy. If you see any human being, then say 'I have vowed an abstinence (SAOUM) for the Almighty, so I will not talk today to any of mankind.'"
let see now this2187 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 MASJID . These are the boundaries of God, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God clarifies His revelations to the people who they may be righteous.
as you see
before "white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn", you can approach wome, eat and drunk
after no more approach womenReally i dont know from where people get the non drinking and non eating belief.
Peace
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Peace Family,
For me fasting at one time was difficult but now I find it easy. In the begining I would
just stop eating and carry on my affairs as usual which would include working, running
errands, meeting social obligations, and being out in the heat during the summer months.
Then praise God, reading Quran solved my problem regarding "HOW TO FAST".Specific days, if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be
substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one
poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers it is better. But fasting
is the best for you, if you only knew.If you don't "feel well" or moving around due to necessity then fast some other time.
If you cannot handle the fast, then feed someone for each day that you do not fast.
If you have a positive frame of mind with regards as to what God has instructed you
regarding the fast, voluntarily feeding a person is a good thing for you as well as
for them. "But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew"............. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill
your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.God wishes for us convenience, not hardship. In other words God wishes for us to find
a convenient way to fast (just my opinion).If you can make a way for the fast to be easy and not difficult, do so.
I have found that arranging my life around God's commandments makes the deen much
easier. I take part my vacation during ramadan and that has made a huge difference.
I take it easy, no business to speak of, rest, read, no errands, avoid the heat, avoid
tense situations (burn energy) and finally for me for suhoor I drink plenty of water.Here is the problem When we fast in a way that is not suitable for us, we despair
and look for a way out, but if we find a way to make it easy we embrace it and
benefit from it.Have a blessed Ramadan
peace
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Peace,
Well, I consider 1926 to be talking about something completely different in another context. It is while Mary is giving birth to Jesus. This is very far-fetched in my opinion.
I have no clue how people can interpret the following ayat from the Quran to some other meaning than a fast from food and drink during daytime
2183 O you who believe, fasting has been decreed for you as it was
decreed for those before you, perhaps you may be righteous.2184 A few number of days; however, if any 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. And whoever does good voluntarily, then it is better for
him. And if you fast it is better for you if only you knew.2185 A month of aspiration, in which the Qur?an was revealed; as a
guide to the people and clarities from the guidance and the
Criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, then
let him fast therein. 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.2186 And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
2187 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 the boundaries of God, so do not transgress
them. It is thus that God clarifies His revelations to the people
who they may be righteous.Approaching the wives during Ramadhan used to not be allowed, but seemed to have been made allowed at the advent of Quran. Why would the whole abstention be from sex in the first place, if this was not even part of it from the start?
And it is a bit lame to be forced to abort the fast due to inability to abstain from sex, is it not? To make it up with other days instead.
"And whoever is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days" <- Do you need to have sex just because you are ill or traveling?
And if it is an oath of silence. Do you need to speak just because you are ill? Can you not travel the roads without speaking?
The same goes here, I wonder where you get the idea of your mind. Is that a logical idea? The very strangest addition is involving 1926 in this discussion since it is in a completely different context than Ramadhan. Someone said that the ripened dates which would fall down from a date palm is in the Fall by the way.
The only meaning which would mean to abort fasting would be abstention from food and drink since it can cause a dangerous situation if a person who is ill continues to do that. And I suppose travels were more exhausting 1000 years ago so they might be exempt from the fast too during their travel.
"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", what is misleading with this phrase from the traditional understanding? It is very straight-forward in my opinion, is it not?
God bless you