Ramadan, Muslim Fasting vs Christian Fasting

Muslim75

Senior Member
Nov 23, 2014
696
27
48
Dakar
I speak of the traditional knowledge in Islam.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar (out of 12). It is mandatory to fast in this month. Muslims well acquainted with Islam don't only fast in Ramadan. They also fast the 2 previous months Rajab and Shaaban. Rajab is known as the month of God Almighty, Shaaban as the month of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and Ramadan as the month of the Muslim community, the Muslim nation, the Ummah. The Qur'an was revealed by God to Muhammad on a friday, in Ramadan. The small Muslim forces tore apart the much more numerous unbelieving forces at Badr, in Ramadan, on the 17th of Ramadan.

What is fasting, in Islam ? Muslim fasting is very much different from Christian fasting.

Muhammad emphasized that many don't achieve the satisaction of God when they fast. They only have hunger and thirst. These are the majority.

To fast is to abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset, and also to abstain from anything that may tarnish the fast. It is forbidden to look at the (Islamically) illegal, to walk towards it, to listen to it when it is talked about or to talk about it oneself. This is the regular accepted level of fasting in Islam. Less than that is hunger and thirst, not satisfaction of God.

God likes the fasting of the servant. He is very fond of it and He says: "Fasting is for Me" (As Sawmu Li in Arabic). As such there are 2 joys for the one who fasts, the first when he breaks his fast, the second when he will meet God, his Lord.

During Ramadan, the devils are chained, and it becomes miraculously easier to do good deeds. You may specially feel it, regardless of your faith, on the first day of Ramadan (the date of that day depends on your country and your location). On that day, you may feel an increase in your strength of doing good deeds, if you pay attention. Muslims strive to make as much good deeds as they can in the month of Ramadan, because it is easier during this month, and the satisfaction of God is also greater.

Fasting is one of the supreme, if not the supreme good deed in Islam. Ramadan is mandatory fasting.
 
Despite religiously-commanded fasting, obesity is a big problem in Muslim countries.

Report Muslim countries among world s most obese Ummah Sports

Of the world's top 10 obese countries, Muslims ones come in spots 1-5, US is 8th, Syria 9th. Site wont let me cut n paste.

The burka may be making Muslim women fatter by discouraging exercise The Daily Caller

"While some women are able to hide the bloat of a large meal behind a burka, the garment and the traditions surrounding it can also discourage exercise both psychologically and practically.

The “Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures: Family, body, sexuality and health” authored by Suad Joseph and Afsaneh Najmabad and published in 2006 notes that obesity, especially among women, has become an “epidemic” in many Arab countries. “High obesity prevalence among women may be partially due to cultural prohibitions against physical activity,” Joseph and Najmabad write.

Studies indicate that up to 70 percent of women in the Gulf states are obese."
 
Of course those who have diabetes of other illnesses, the elderly or infirm, or those who must travel frequently for work are given special dispensation during Ramadan.


A lot of folks looking forward to the feast of Eid this coming Friday.
 
Fasting doesn't guarantee you to be skinny or healthy.

Fasting is for spiritual health. It's for freeing the oppressed and feeding the hungry
 
I speak of the traditional knowledge in Islam.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar (out of 12). It is mandatory to fast in this month. Muslims well acquainted with Islam don't only fast in Ramadan. They also fast the 2 previous months Rajab and Shaaban. Rajab is known as the month of God Almighty, Shaaban as the month of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and Ramadan as the month of the Muslim community, the Muslim nation, the Ummah. The Qur'an was revealed by God to Muhammad on a friday, in Ramadan. The small Muslim forces tore apart the much more numerous unbelieving forces at Badr, in Ramadan, on the 17th of Ramadan.

What is fasting, in Islam ? Muslim fasting is very much different from Christian fasting.

The Christian Churches have up to 4 times of fastening. The 40 days before Easter and the 40 days in Advent are practically often a big difference. In the Easter Tide - in spring - we think in a paradox way about the death of Jesus on the cross - but the paradox solves itselve because Jesus is risen in the Eastertide. The main aspect in this time is penitence, ascese too. In the 40 days of Advent (5th and 6th Advent would lead to the orthodox Christmas date.) practically joy and expectation of the birth of Christ are in the center. And there are also fasting periods in the time when we take a more exact look to the Holy Spirit and the work of the apostles - and a time where mother Mary is in the centre of our views. Our structures are a little more complex.

Muhammad emphasized that many don't achieve the satisaction of God when they fast. They only have hunger and thirst. These are the majority.

To fast is to abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset,

Not to drink can be very dangerous for health - specially if there is a hot dry weather. One of the rules of my church is: "Fluids don't break fasting".

and also to abstain from anything that may tarnish the fast. It is forbidden to look at the (Islamically) illegal, to walk towards it, to listen to it when it is talked about or to talk about it oneself. This is the regular accepted level of fasting in Islam. Less than that is hunger and thirst, not satisfaction of God.

God likes the fasting of the servant. He is very fond of it and He says: "Fasting is for Me" (As Sawmu Li in Arabic). As such there are 2 joys for the one who fasts, the first when he breaks his fast, the second when he will meet God, his Lord.

During Ramadan, the devils are chained,

And why are attacking the godless members of the organisation "islamic state" churches and mosques and are murdering Christians and Muslims? Why they are not chained during the time of Ramadan?

and it becomes miraculously easier to do good deeds. You may specially feel it, regardless of your faith, on the first day of Ramadan (the date of that day depends on your country and your location). On that day, you may feel an increase in your strength of doing good deeds, if you pay attention. Muslims strive to make as much good deeds as they can in the month of Ramadan, because it is easier during this month, and the satisfaction of God is also greater.

Fasting is one of the supreme, if not the supreme good deed in Islam. Ramadan is mandatory fasting.

 
Last edited:

Forum List

Back
Top