Ramadan Mubarek!

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
12/09/2008 00:31

Salam au alaykum (Arabic greeting for peace and blessings to you)



Many of my friends have been asking me about Ramadan and I thought maybe some of you might be interested to learn more. I am an English woman who converted to Islam nearly two years ago, and while I am defiantly no expert on my religion I hope what I do know I can share with you all.



We are now in the blessed month of Ramadan (Muslim calender) which started on Sept 1st this year - it changes by about 2 weeks every year.



It is the month when Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset - identified by the Athan (call to prayer by the Iman(holy man) in the Mosques). Is about 5am to 7pm at the moment but the time changes slightly daily.



Fasting includes no food, no water, no cigarettes and no marital relations during this time (30 days). People who are ill, menstruating, breast feeding or on a journey are exempt and can make up the days later or feed a number of poor people if they are unable to.



So why do we do it ? Because this is the month that Allah (God) locks Satan away and gives us extra blessings for fasting, our prayers and for helping others. All Muslims in Turkey and here will give about 10 YTL at the end of Ramadan if they can which will go to poor people. It is also a time where people can assess their wealth over the last 12 months and give about 2.5% of it to charity. Giving to others is one of the main 5 Pillars of Islam. The other 4 being the belief in one God and all the Prophets and their books, praying 5 times every day, going to visit Mecca and fasting in the month of Ramadan.



So a typical day for me will mean getting up at 3am, praying an extra prayer asking Allah for something I wish for, then making some food which we will finish by about 4.30 (we have until 5 if we wish), then we go to the Mosque (Camii) to listen to the Iman read the Qur'an in Arabic. Then we will make our morning prayers.

Then we will go home as the sun is rising and read the Qur'an ourselves - it is a big blessing if you read the whole Qur'an in this month - which is 20 pages a day. I read it in english as I am unable to read arabic yet.



Then we will sleep until we need to get up for work. We will spend our day working, making our daily prayers and thinking about Allah and others as much as we can.



If we can we will sleep a little later in the day as we are tired. Then about 6 we start preparing food to break our fast with at 7pm ish.



We break our fast with dates and water then eat a normal meal which Turkish people like to start with soup. If you can invite others to eat this is good as you get extra blessings for feeding them.



About 8.30 we will go to the Camii for Teravi prayers - which are extra prayers especially for Ramadan.



Then maybe we will go to a friends house and drink tea and eat sweet things!



It is a tiring month but at the same time it is a fantastic time for assessing your life, your religion and most Muslims are sad when it ends. When it end we celebrate by visiting friends and family, wearing your best clothes and giving children sweets (you may have heard it called seker bayram or Eid).



Insh'Allah (God willing) I have helped some of you to understand more about Ramadan and Islam. May Allah forgive me if I have made a mistake in my ignorance and may I wish you all a blessed Ramadan whatever religion you may be .

Waasalams (Peace and blessings)



Please feel free to ask any questions and Insh'Allah I will be able to answer them.

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
12/09/2008 01:17

Treesy



Salam au alaykum



What is this strange connection between Ramadan and sweets?



I am really concerned about your children's teeth.



Please read this



Indeed, the recommendation to brush our teeth frequently does not exempt anyone who is fasting. In fact, it may be even more encouraged during fasting. Al- Tabarani, a highly renowned scholar of hadith who has his own collection of authentic hadith, quotes Abdurrahman ibn Ghanm asking Mu'az ibn Jabal, the Prophet's companion, "Should I brush my teeth while fasting?' He said, 'Yes'. I asked, ' At what time of day?' He said, 'Morning or late afternoon'. I said, 'But people discourage that and say that the Prophet (pbuh) has said, 'The smell of the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant in God's sight than the smell of musk'. He said, 'Glory be to God! The Prophet (pbuh) has ordered them to brush their teeth, and he would not order them to deliberately let their mouths have a foul odor. Nothing good comes of that. Indeed it is bad".



Here is the link



http://www.crescentlife.com/wellness/oral_hygiene.htm



Lem

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
12/09/2008 08:43

Good starting point, thanks treesy.



We have a friend who is not Muslim but follows the fasting regime of Ramazan. Finds it a cathartic experience, similar to going on a retreat.



At the end of the month always feels better and because of the mode of feeding always looses weight. Bit of a bonus.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
12/09/2008 09:35

treesy, i don't know where you are in the world?

here in north cyprus the local tc's are not strick practising muslims. at ramazan my neighbours give me bread as a gift.. lots of the better off people give to charity not only at ramazan but monthly throughout the year. our local shop keeper always takes a lamb down to the childrens home.as for fasting they do drink both water and ayran, during the day.

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
12/09/2008 11:30

Lemtich wa alaykum as salaam



yes our Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged the cleaning of teeth. And yes we do clean our teeth while fasting - and wash our mouths out when we wash before praying. But even so our breath can smell - I'm no scientist or doctor but I think it is because we don't swallow any liquid and maybe the smell is from the back of the throat. I will have to ask about this one - as I said my knowledge is limited!!!



As for the sugar connection - I'm not sure if its more a cultural rather than religious practice. I will see if I can find out - but yes with the lack of flouride in the water here I share your concerns about children's teeth



Firestarter,

I can assure you I am here in North Cyprus - yes I agree the Turkish Cypriot people here seem to not practice their religion - but many of the mainland Turks here on the island do. I can assure you drinking water and ayran is NOT allowed and probably stems from a lack of knowledge about their religion - drinking efes, gambling and eating pork is not allowed either but I'm sure you know many Turkish Cypriot people who do. (As well as some mainland Turks)

Can I suggest you drive past a mosque on a Friday about 1pm or on an evening - especially the 29th Sept - and you will see many Muslims who would have fasted properly attending evening prayers.

Giving charity throughout the year is great and some people choose to do this rather than pay in one lump sum - or even do both- as I said giving is one of the five pillars and there are lots of ways to do it- I was just trying to keep it simple!



Cyprusishome,

I admire your friend - its not easy. Unfortunately I put on weight last year - too many friends force feeding me in the Turkish style! This year though I am watching what I eat - I'm aiming to stay the same!!!

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
12/09/2008 12:43

Don't be eating any of that toothpaste now. I'm checking the tube.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
15/09/2008 12:46

i don't need to drive to any mosque, we have one in our village. just because one person doesn't practice their religion in the same way as another. that doesn't mean they are unknowledgable or less of a muslim.



i own a head scarf and respect my friends and neighbours religious views. yes i take part in things which others would walk away from,i do this for my friends not for islam.



personally i find being made to do something unpleasent like fasting, as part of a religious practice barbaric. as do many of my muslim friends.



we have a private joke when they tell me they are training me to be a good muslim. i always reply that if christianity couldn't convert me in 40 years, what chance does islam have?

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
16/09/2008 10:21

seker bayram is about giving to children. it doesn't have to be sweets but can also be money.



i was waiting for our treesy to answer as such a knowledgable muslim, but alas an atheist has to do it instead,lol.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
16/09/2008 10:49

FS



Fasting is not just part of Islamic Practice and (a) nobody forces most: and (b) it is certainly not barbaric. Go to any form of retreat whether it religous, pagan, or just to do it and some form of fasting takes place.



It is actually a cathartic experience when combined with all the elements of a practice. I have many friends in my own "religous group" who when they go on retreat return with a far better outlook. By repeating on an annual or whatever period enhances the experience.



Certainly nobody wishes to try to convert you but please try not to mock or condemn others for whatever their beliefs are.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
16/09/2008 11:55

not drinking for x amount of hours is unhealthy.



mock or condemn, please how can someone who has converted to a religion have the gall to say the tc's are unknowledable on how to practice islam. most of my friends in cyprus are muslim! they have practiced islam all of their lives. their families for generations.



even in turkey, most of the modern forward thinking muslims practice islam moderately.



i have no problem with anyone practising there religion as they see fit, but pushing their extreme views onto others is a problem. i have read the q'ran. it is actually a very sensible book, but it is always down to personal interpretation.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
16/09/2008 18:52

Fasting has existed in several religions from ancient times, prior to Islam.

Christianity in previous times, and Hindu women fast on days to pray for

their husband's health/life. While living/working in U.A.E I did do it also

just to enter into spirit of things, and to see if I could!

I have many Muslim friends, even relatives, who do not fast, cover their heads

etc. but believe they are very good people and good Muslim's also. It is a bit

like those who go to church here sometimes think that makes them better Christians. They all want/expect a reward in heaven. So where the virtue?

yorkie58


Joined: 16/09/2008
Posts: 245

Message Posted:
16/09/2008 22:06

Alaykum salam. Treesy, found your post interesting and informative.



Thank you

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
16/09/2008 22:19

Firestarter



thanks for the personal attack - I said I was not an expert and that I was purely putting this information on the forum just to give people an idea about Ramadan as quite a few of my English friends had been interested and had asked me questions.



As for my EXTREME views - I simply follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah.



And as for being a 'better' Muslim - the Qur'an clearly states what one should do to increase their blessings from Allah (swt) - it is for Allah to decide what happens to us after our death based on our deeds in this life. I have many Muslim friends who make their own choice on certain issues and that is for them to decide.



I was NOT attacking other Muslims for their way of life - I have too much respect for them - but if they believe that fasting allows drinking of water or ayran then clearly they have been mislead on this point.



I have notice on this forum that many people ask simple questions or state things to inform others then get attacked for it. Nice.

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
16/09/2008 22:30

This is taken from the BBC Food web-site. As you can see there are many different tasty ways of celebrating Eid around the globe.







'In Islam, believers are called upon to cease all consumption of food and drink between the hours of daylight for 30 consecutive days. This period is called Ramadan (Ramazan in Iran and Turkey, Ramzan in the Indian subcontinent). After dark during Ramadan, people may eat and drink as much as they wish.



Both the start and the finish of Ramadan coincide with the sighting of the new moon in the sky



Both the start and the finish of Ramadan coincide with the sighting of the new moon in the sky. Today, despite modern technology, the month of Ramadan may still begin and end on different days in different countries depending on the reliable sighting of the crescent moon. In Britain, Eid will be celebrated from 13 October in 2007.

Customs and traditions



There is a wide range of customs and traditions that mark the Eid el-Fitr celebrations in various countries in North Africa, the Middle and Far East and even in the Pacific, but in general it is looked upon as a day of family, rather than public celebration. The day always starts with special Eid prayers at the main mosque (also attended by the women in some countries), followed later in the day by a large celebratory lunch at the house of the senior member of the family. Everywhere children receive gifts of cash and new clothes.

Traditional dishes include rice dishes and specially prepared breads



Preparation for the festival often starts the day before and the entire celebration can last up to five days. In Bahrain, people even mark the half-way point in Ramadan. On the 15th day, children dress smartly and call at their friends’ and neighbours’ homes in the evening and are given sweets. On Eid el-Fitr itself, the family lunch will consist of biryani (a mixed rice dish of meat and spices), sago dishes, stuffed, sweet pastries (sambouseh), and other sweetmeats.

Eid around the world



In Iraq, the family will enjoy a breakfast of buffalo cream with honey and bread before going on to the family lunch together. Here, a lamb may be sacrificed for the occasion, and a special Eid sweetmeat called klaicha, a date-filled pastry, is made.



Egypt sees four days of celebration, with preparations starting several days earlier. Special biscuits are made to give to friends and relatives on the day. The men will go to the mosque early in the morning, while the women start work on the preparation of the fish that will form the centrepiece of a great celebratory lunch.



In Palestine, in addition to prayers and family celebrations, a special sweetmeat, k'ak al-tamar, is made to serve with coffee.

Cumin



In Somalia, a three-day celebration starts with a family lunch which includes rice mixed with meat and vegetables, and pasta accompanied by anjira (a thin bread prepared liked chapatti). Halva, which in Somalia is more like a cumin-flavoured custard, is also served, along with special fried (or baked) biscuits made of flour, sugar, oil, warm water and baking powder.



One of the special dishes in India, Pakistan and Fiji is savayya, a dish of fine, toasted vermicelli noodles, which is served for the first breakfast after the fast. Toasted vermicelli may be found in many ethnic stores in Britain, but it is easily made by browning fine vermicelli in a warm oven, or by dry-frying broken pieces in a frying pan until browned. It can then be boiled until soft, drained and mixed with creamy milk and sugar.



In Indonesia, the family lunch consists of dishes made of chicken, lamb or beef, but never fish



In Indonesia, the family lunch consists of dishes made of chicken, lamb or beef, but never fish which is too ubiquitous in Indonesia to be considered as a celebratory dish. The traditional sweet is lapis legit, a rich layered cake. Here, the celebrations

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
17/09/2008 15:58

treesy,

you were the one making the personal attack. you said that because tc's didn't practice islam as you do, that they had a lack of knowledge regarding islam.



you admit that your not an expert, then go on to put down the way others practice their religion, even though they have followed the islamic faith all of there lives.



religion is always open to interpretation, so lets leave it at that.

it wasn't personal!

Bowman


Joined: 02/05/2007
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
17/09/2008 16:18

Treesy, good luck with your fasting and I hope your new religion brings you what you are looking for.



Fire Starter, I am sure you feel much better for wrtining in the manner to which you did to Treesy. I for one, found it rude. Furthermore, I also found it insulting the way you suggested that the practices of the main religion of our host country are "Barbaric". Of course like me, you are entitled to your own opinion, sometimes they are best kept to ones self, especially when they serve on purpose.

Treesy


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 406

Message Posted:
17/09/2008 18:44

FS



Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it wasn't intended to be personal. I am sorry you felt I was judging other Muslims - I was only suggesting a lack of knowledge on the point about fasting and agreeing with you about not being strict practicing Muslims.

There is technically one Islamic faith but cultural and historical differences and traditions play a huge part in it.



The relaxed 'each to their own' attitude of the island is part of what makes it attractive. I hope it stays like this.



And as for your friends trying to make you into a good Muslim...... you never know lol I was always a believer in God but was totally against organised religions - after all look at the conflicts and wars as a result - and lived a very normal life in the UK. Then I was guided to read about Islam and the Qur'an and WOW it hit the spot - sort of blinding light life changing thing......... your never too old - that scarf might be needed yet.......



Peace and blessings to you and a happy Eid.

doughnuts40


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 98

Message Posted:
18/09/2008 02:10

well said Tressey.