So, I have a question. Help me with "the Prayer of the Oppressed". I am sick beyond words about all that is happening to the Palestinians in Gaza--seemingly from all directions. I don't know what to make of this. Can NO ONE help them? I know doctors and aid workers are, but an end to their torment has to happen.
I am so impressed by what I’m learning about Islam. It seems like such a peace filled religion. I would be willing to try a fast with you someday but I’m a diabetic so I’m not sure I could do the fasting from food but surely fasting from the other things which sound like a great idea for any religion.
So grateful you're enjoying this platform! And yes, people with any kind of chronic illness are exempt from fasting, but fasting is just one part of Ramadan.
The Christian season of Lent starts on the same day as Ramadan this year. I mentioned it to my pastor (ELCA Lutheran) so I hope he can make a great sermon out of that.
I attended mostly Catholic school through high school, and we observed Lent in various ways. As I grew up and met Muslims and traveled in Muslim countries, I began to see similarities between Muslims and Catholics who had grown up with these respective practices, and differences between these two groups together and pretty much all others: there is so often a stronger development of the all-important skill of self-discipline, even in children and young people, and even in those who have left the religion in practice or belief. Even in those who have used this power more for selfish reasons than for good. And this trait is something very different from externally-imposed repression (something I have rather prejudicially observed in British Protestants); it manifests as a deep-seated calm and self-poise - an inner peace, something my fellow Buddhists often struggle to find. Ramadan as a concept could make the human race happier and the world closer to Eden.
So, I have a question. Help me with "the Prayer of the Oppressed". I am sick beyond words about all that is happening to the Palestinians in Gaza--seemingly from all directions. I don't know what to make of this. Can NO ONE help them? I know doctors and aid workers are, but an end to their torment has to happen.
I feel the same.
Me too
I am so impressed by what I’m learning about Islam. It seems like such a peace filled religion. I would be willing to try a fast with you someday but I’m a diabetic so I’m not sure I could do the fasting from food but surely fasting from the other things which sound like a great idea for any religion.
Thank you for teaching me.
So grateful you're enjoying this platform! And yes, people with any kind of chronic illness are exempt from fasting, but fasting is just one part of Ramadan.
Is it fasting only from sun up to sunset? I ask because I know in the Bahai Faith it is those hours for New Years (Naw Ruiz fasting)
Yes, sun up to sundown
Ramadan Mubarak!
khair mubarak!
Beautiful! Thank you so much for this post.
I thought it was interesting that Ramadan and Lent start on the same day this year.
And the Tibetans celebrate the New Year for at least 3 days starting on the 18th! They also follow the lunar calendar.
We should have celebrations together! Especially for Eid.
I wish I could join you in fasting, but I'm disabled. I will keep all of you in my heart though, and I look forward to learning more about Ramadan!
Thank you, Francesca!
The Christian season of Lent starts on the same day as Ramadan this year. I mentioned it to my pastor (ELCA Lutheran) so I hope he can make a great sermon out of that.
That sounds amazing. You might include this verse in the Qur'an about Ramadan which also makes reference to the fasting of Lent.
"O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous." - Qur'an 2:184
I am delighted that you will share Ramadan with us and a fast day. I look forward to continuing to learn from you, Qasim. Ramadan Mubarak!
Thank you, Carol!
Thank you for all you are teaching me about Islam, Qasim. I am more than willing to try a fast with you. Ramadan Mubarak!!
Wonderful! Stay tuned!
Thank you, Qasim!
I attended mostly Catholic school through high school, and we observed Lent in various ways. As I grew up and met Muslims and traveled in Muslim countries, I began to see similarities between Muslims and Catholics who had grown up with these respective practices, and differences between these two groups together and pretty much all others: there is so often a stronger development of the all-important skill of self-discipline, even in children and young people, and even in those who have left the religion in practice or belief. Even in those who have used this power more for selfish reasons than for good. And this trait is something very different from externally-imposed repression (something I have rather prejudicially observed in British Protestants); it manifests as a deep-seated calm and self-poise - an inner peace, something my fellow Buddhists often struggle to find. Ramadan as a concept could make the human race happier and the world closer to Eden.
Beautiful! Yes, the Qur'an itself points out that fasting is prescribed for Muslims as it was prescribed for people of faiths before Islam.