Ramazan mubarek olsun

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 10:57

Today is the start of the holy month of Ramadan. The time that Muslims all around the world look forward to, Satan is 'locked up' for these 30 days and Muslims take the time to socialise more with friends and family - normally by breaking their sunrise to sunset fasts with them. Fasts are broken with a date- dried or fresh- first and a little water, if no dates then a little salt.

You may hear a cannon shot about 7.45pm ish (sunset) which signifies the end of the fast - also the call to prayer -the azan- will be heard at the same time.

Many Muslims choose to fast (the elderly, children and sick do not need to) which means no food or water all day - so if your gardener seems to be a bit slower than usual maybe you will know why!



Money is given to charity too - to help others less fortunate.

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 10:59

It is a blessed month where we are encouraged to think more about Allah and what good deads we can do to benefit our neighbours and community. Some of us will read the Qur'an every day - aiming to read it all before the month is finished and we will go to the Mosque every evening for special prayers.



Is it a lovely time and although the fasting can seem hard at times with Allah's help many find it gets easier as the days go on - the first 3/4 days are the hardest!



So whatever your faith or beliefs have a blessed Ramadan.



T

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 11:01

I hope you do also and to all or Mslim friends. I hope the heat doesnt get to you all. I admire and respect yo ufor your beliefs xx

Moover321


Joined: 11/04/2009
Posts: 649

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 11:15

Walaikumus-Salaam T and Ramadan Mubarak to you and your Family and all the other fasting Muslims



It was a pleasure to read your post. This will be our first Ramadan here and it I am looking forward to it! Today is the first day, and you are right no matter where you fast the first few days are usually the hardest and then somehow all the patience is rewarded by Alllah (SWT) and it becomes easy!



My wife also reverted to Islam some 8 years ago and I am sure she would be happy to meet up with you sometime!



The information you have given is spot on!



It is also a month which endears us to the suffering of the many millions who have little or nothing to eat or drink; To give us patience in our dealings and learn to control our anger; To show kindness to all - and most of all to remember our purpose on this earth and in this life - to worship our creator and give thanks for all that has been bestowed upon us!



May Allah (SWT) reward you for your efforts here, Inshallah!

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 11:19

Thanks Lilli,



I'm not fasting myself this year - I'm now 7 months pregnant and I'm too hot all of the time - I could manage going without the food but I fear no water all day could make me very ill. So I will be making the days up after baby is born.

Its not the same but after waiting this long for this little gift from God I don't want to take any chances.



xxx

Moover321


Joined: 11/04/2009
Posts: 649

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 11:24

Thanks Lilli You are a real Star...

Fred8


Joined: 15/01/2009
Posts: 253

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 11:27

Here to all "May Allah grant you the strength and yaqeen to complete the up coming blessed month of Ramadaan And may you take full advantage of these powerful days, Insha-Allah May I take this opportunity to wish you, your family, friends and loved ones, a Blessed Month of Ramadaan May Allah's mercy and blessings be with you through out the Holy month of sacrifice and throughout the year, Insha-Allah

May all your good deeds & du'as be accepted, your wishes fulfilled and all your sins forgiven

May Allah grant us the strength to help those less fortunate in Allah's name, Insha-Allah

Have a splendid Ramadaan, Insha-Allah"



T - Mubarack and good luck!

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 11:34

Moover

Jazakullah khaira for your kind words, i would love to meet up with your wife my email is ttagac@gmail.com,please ask her to email me when she has the time.



Fred 8

Jazakullah khaira for your kind words too



waasalams

Moover321


Joined: 11/04/2009
Posts: 649

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 12:11

Welcome T and Jazzakallah to you and Fred8 - May Allah (SWT) grant you your duas, Inshallah!



T - My wife has gone home for family reasons - will be back on the 24th September. I will give her your email and Inshallah she will contact you as soon as is mutually convenient!



I hope all goes well with the pregnancy - and you are absolutely right not to fast now!



Take it easy and enjoy - your little gift will be here soon enough - healthy, happy and truly loved Inshallah!



Was-Salaam

Ozbey


Joined: 04/03/2009
Posts: 304

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 16:48

Treesy,

Thank you so much for your informative description of what Ramazan is all about.

I am not of your religion (or any other actually), but very interested to try and understand them.

I hope that many more non muslims read this and become more understanding - and more tolerant.

Thank yot again.

Regards,

Ozbey.

Moover321


Joined: 11/04/2009
Posts: 649

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 17:41

Here are a couple of links for those who maybe interested to know more about Ramadan



http://www.haqislam.org/the-purpose-of-ramadan/



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan



Enjoy

Pogle


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 1536

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 18:03

Do many Cypriots actually fast at Ramadan? I have yet to meet one that doesn't eat pork in my 3 1/2 years here.



I am one of the British converted but I do not fast, however I do not eat pork. In the UK I observed that a number of our Muslim friends broke just about every rule in the book 11 months of the year and thought that fasting for 1 month put right all their wrongs.



Ramazan mubarek

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
21/08/2009 18:37

Pogle...."In the UK I observed that a number of our Muslim friends broke just about every rule in the book 11 months of the year and thought that fasting for 1 month put right all their wrongs."



Isn't it the same with most organised religions?

In Catholicism you can try your hand at murder , adultery , peadophilia etc etc but as long as you confess and repent then your sins are forgiven !!!

Bladerunner


Joined: 10/01/2009
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 09:06

Cronos.Thats why they have chapels in prisons.????.Easy way out find god.

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 11:50

Pogle,

from my experience in the mosques here I would say nearly all are mainland Turks.



Cronos I agree.

People have weaknesses whatever their religion - it is easy to stray and be pressured by modern life into comminting sin - I still find myself swearing and gossiping - gossiping is a sure way to end up in hell - I know this but still find myself doing it - it is a constant battle within.



But if this month reminds people what they should be aiming for then the better for them and society. Our faith is a personal thing and at the end we will face God on our own. Then we will realise the consequences of our actions.



If you believe in God and all the prophets (such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammed (peace and blessing upon them)) and you believe in the last days - when the world will end and we will account for our actions,

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 11:51

then you are a Muslim too - Muslim means one who submits to God/Allah. Allah is used as it is a non-sex name - neither male nor female where as God is considered male as the female is goddess. And you will be spared on the day of judgement. This is written in the Qur’an.

For any who want to find out more about Islam, reading an English translation of the Qur’an is an eye-opener. It is very easy to understand and after I read it purely out of interest I knew I had to be Muslim, I never wanted to be part of an organised religion due to the worldwide problems religion has caused past, present and no doubt in the future, but I could not deny it. It makes perfect sense and is a wonderful way of life – with emphasis on family values, morals and building a better society.

And thanks to many people memorising it – it has not been changed since Allah sent it to the illiterate Muhammad (PBUH) in the month of Ramadan.



Peace and blessings to you all.

cronos


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 2093

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 11:59

Treesy....I may be wrong , and there are many misconceptions about Islam,but isn't it a male-orientated religion that considers women to be of lower status and subserviant to men?

If so,I'm surprised that as a well educated woman such as yourself would find it attractive.

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 12:18

Cronos,



a popular misconception.



It is a religion that recognises women's status and equality. We are different to men and it recognises this - for instance it is the man's responsibility to protect and provide for the woman - in return she will raise the children and care for the home. She has no obligation to work - but can if she wishes - and all money that she makes or inherits belongs to her - her husband has no claim on it. The man does not own her or her possesions.

Some cultures have twisted Islam to suit them and yes they treat women as lower - but this is not the teaching of Islam - this is mankind!

Islam protects women and their modesty. I feell so liberated from the pressures on women in modern society, by covering my body and hair I do not have to conform to stereo types and beat myself up about looks, weight, fashion etc.

In the UK many educated 'western' women are turning to Islam.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 15:03

Treesy,



Thank you so much for the insight to which you have given us into Islam and Ramazam, totally absorbing.



What is a shame is that some cultures have twisted Islam and as such has given it a 'poor' image worldwide and I do not need to list some of the things that have happened as I am sure you will know of them.



But once again thank you for posting this.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 15:12

Treesy,



How do Muslims in countries ie UK cope with sunset being so late at certain times of the year when fasting or would they ordinarily break it earlier to coincide with the sunset at Mecca?

boglefan



Joined: 07/06/2009
Posts: 511

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 15:22

My Moslem friends in Scotland wait till sunset here, difficult tho it is. Can't talk about elsewhere.

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
22/08/2009 15:53

Scoobydoo,



I can't answer that question as I never fasted in the UK - only since I moved here. But I assume that all wait until the UK sunset time - which in summer is very late. The month of Ramadan moves forward about 10 days each year according to the normal calendar - so sometimes it will fall in winter- when the days are very short in the UK, so I guess there is your payback!

I am hoping to vist Mecca one day in Ramadan - but think it will have to be in about 15 years time when it falls in winter as I don't cope too well with the heat at the best of times!!!!



T

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
24/08/2009 13:16

Treesy,



Thanks for the reply, it makes it a long day then when fasting occurs in UK in the summer, I always admire peoples commitment to it.



I hope you make it to Mecca one day but be careful as the crowds are always HUGE!!!



I happen to be in Istanbul during the Ramazan fasting 2 years ago and loved the atmosphere once the sun had set. We went down to the Blue Mosque in the evenings to find families having picnics in the grounds, stall holders, whirling dervishes etc, it was a fantastic atmosphere.