Street Prophets

Ramadan mubarak!

by lauramp

Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 08:56:59 PM PDT

Ramadan greetings

Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting. During Ramadan, observent Muslims fast from dawn to sunset each day. The Islamic calendar is lunar, with each month starting at the sighting of the new crescent moon. This year, Ramadan is from September 23 to October 23, so the fasting starts tomorrow at dawn for me.

The phrase "Ramadan mubarak" means, roughly "Have a blessed Ramadan" and is a traditional greeting of Muslims to each other during the month.

I love Ramadan. The fasting seems like it might be very difficult, but once I get into the routine of it, I don't find it so (though usually I hit a little "wall" about 20 days in). I really enjoy Ramadan. The discipline needed to complete the fast is good for me, and the special month motivates me to do extra.

Besides fasting from food and drink, Muslims should also refrain from bad conduct and language. This (especially the bad language!) is sometimes more challenging than just refraining from food and drink. But it's good for me!

Last year, I did a series of posts on the Quran for Ramadan, which you can view from my user page.

Although I probably won't have time for such an ambitious undertaking this year, I hope to post several times during the month, inshallah.


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Permalink | 11 comments

  • I'll look forward to reading your posts! (0 / 0)

    and I wish you a blessed Ramadan.

    Oldest of the Old Ones, I am, Mother of the stars and of the earth.

    by Alexandra Lynch on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 08:55:13 PM PDT

  • peace be with you (0 / 0)

    enjoyed the series last year and look forward to what you're able to share this year.

    Join http://www.soulforce.org Soulforce -seeking Justice for God's GLBT children.

    by its simple IF you ignore the complexity on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 09:14:04 PM PDT

  • I enjoyed this as well. (0 / 0)

    Thank you for posting and peace to you and your loved ones.

    by one bite at a time on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 09:17:29 PM PDT

  • Blessed Ramadan to you (0 / 0)

    I'd never heard of Ramadan before a few years ago. As a Catholic, my basic impression is more or less Whoa... Lent on steroids!! ;)

    I mean that quite respectfully. Catholics fast for Lent: the obligatory fast and abstinence applies only to Fridays, and is nothing like as strictly defined. In fact the official definition of the minimum required fast is pretty wimpy. Most Catholics also fast from something else for the season, whether food or behavior is left up to the individual; I do something different every year.

    Learning about Ramadan has challenged me to take my own fasting season more seriously.

    Peace to you, during this holy season. May your observance strengthen you in your faith and draw you closer to Allah.

    Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.

    by StarWoman on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 09:53:14 PM PDT

  • Ramadan mubarak (0 / 0)

    "There ain't no sanity clause." Chico Marx http://wfmu.org/playlists/RX

    by Asbury Park on Fri Sep 22, 2006 at 11:50:50 PM PDT

  • Looking forward to it :) (0 / 0)

    I wasn't here last year at this time, and I am looking forward to learning more...

    by Sarea on Sat Sep 23, 2006 at 12:43:05 AM PDT

  • thanks, everybody! (0 / 0)

    Thanks for all the kind messages. May God bless you!

    "Riches does not mean having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment." (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)

    by lauramp on Sat Sep 23, 2006 at 12:58:28 AM PDT

  • I'll add my thanks (0 / 0)

    and best wishes for a peaceful and happy year.

    Ut in Omnia Glorificatur Dei

    by MaryKK on Sat Sep 23, 2006 at 11:06:58 AM PDT

  • Why do you fast? (0 / 0)

    Just curious as I don't know much about Ramadan. Peace to you.

    by thinkforyourself on Sat Sep 23, 2006 at 06:20:35 PM PDT

    • reasons for Ramadan (0 / 0)

      Does the FAQ I linked to answer your questions, or is there more you would like to know? Wikipedia's entry on Ramadan also provides a good introduction.

      Basically, though, Muslims fast during Ramadan because we believe that God has commanded it. The reason for this (given in Quran 2:183) is to develop what is in Arabic called taqwa. Taqwa is an awed awareness of God, sometimes translated as "God-fearingness".

      Thus, the fasting is intended to lead to spiritual improvement.

      I hope this helps.

      "Riches does not mean having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment." (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)

      by lauramp on Sat Sep 23, 2006 at 10:52:56 PM PDT

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