What do you do during Ramadan??

Question

i'm not Muslim, but plan to (at least) try to experience Islam "second-hand"--if that makes sense to you. as some on here know, I've been studying a lot about islam and would really love to experience it. it's one thing to study a religion, it's another thing to actually practice it and see what it is like. I also plan to wear the hijab, read the Koran, etc... I want to further my studies of islam.

I really want to celebrate Ramadan, but what exactly do you do besides fasting (also, when can't you eat? when can you?)?

I hope I'm not offending any of you who are reading this!

Answer 1

I was wondering when Ramadan began and ended also.

Hope you get an answer soon.

Answer 2

well you dont eat or drink anything from the time the sun rises to the time the sun sets (check the weather channel or sm to c when it is in ur region)

you also cant do anything bad like curse, be mean to people, think bad thoughts and things like that.

We dont now when ramadan starts yet because it depends on the moon but its soon!

If i were you i would go to your local mosque to learn more.

heres more

http://www.holidays.net/ramadan/story.ht...

http://www.submission.org/ramadan/about-...

Answer 3

You didnt mention your faith.. but if you are Christian, you are aware that Jesus fasted and often... And if you look at his mother, any image of Mary you can google always shows her in a hijab, covering herself..

So Islam isnt so unlike Christianity (Jesus is an Islamic prophet to us muslims)

anyways.. fasting is first off to feel the hardships of those that are poor and without means of food and sustanance.. We remember them and give in charity... then fasting is a way for us to cleanse our bodies of impurities. It also brings us closer to  God, when you are hungry, you think deeper.. You meditate and contemplate with prayer during the day. Also as a group, it gives a sense of brotherhood knowing that all other muslims are fasting along with you.. It gives a sense of belonging. Also it developes stamina, commitment and discipline in life to be able to handle fasting for a month..

We dont fast without food or water 24hours for a whole month.. Just from sun up to sun down... We start fasting upon the first prayer of the day.. which is sun up (dawn) and we break the fast upon the 4th prayer of the day which is sun down (dusk)... during the night we can eat and enjoy anythings..

we do not put anything in our mouths, we dont chew gum, smoke cigarettes, mints, or anything (other than we do brush out teeth and can use toothpaste).. We dont engage in sexual relations with spouses during the fast, we are not supposed to curse or get angry or do any sinful thing during the fast... This again is a test of faith and discipline...

We break the fast with a bit of light nutricious food, like some hearty fruits like dried dates or figs, some juice or water.. then we go pray and thank God for the days fast, then we can return and either eat a larger more regular meal or just wait till later in the eveing (some do)..

also its encouraged for us to try to REad the whole Quran during the month of Ramadan.. so we can strengthen our knowledge of Islam

.. its really a great time.. and when the month is over.. we have 3 days of a holiday ordained by God to remember the good month, celebrate the sucessful fasting and visit loved ones and friends and feast.. Eat now... ^_^  

Answer 4

well sis the best thing I would recommend is going to a local mosque to attain the most knowledge of Ramadan as possible. Basically it is a month where we Muslims try to attain taqwa (acknowledge and fear Allah) by fasting, reading the Quran/Koran all month, praying, refraining from malicious (fighting, cursing) and sexual activities during the hours of fasting which would be from sunrise to sunset

If u have questions, feel free to email me. But I would also recommend going to a local mosque

Answer 5

peace be with you

Ramadan is a special month, we fast because we focus less of our needs for food and drinks so that we more aware of God so we are stronger with our iman (faith) through out the year. Fasting also shows us how the poor feel and Ramadan shows how much better we have then others and helps us appreciate God more.

Its  a month of repentance and forgiveness. Of course God forgives all year round, but it has special during Ramadan. Our deeds count more too.  I love Ramadan because it makes me feel like i start my life all over again.

Ramadan begins September 1 and ends on the 31.We dont eat from sunrise to sunset. We wake up and eat before sunrise and then we break our fast at sunset.

Not only food, but sexual needs, smoking, etc.

The Holy month of Ramadan is to improve yourself as a muslim and to ignore your needs and be more aware of God.

Answer 6

Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of the Hijri (Islamic) calendar. According to the Dictionary of Islam, the word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd, "to burn" (Ramadan is associated with fasting, during which sins are said to be figuratively burned away).

Fasting (Sawm) is one of the core five pillars of Islam. The others are: Shahadah (the testimony of faith), Salat (ritual prayer), Zakat (obligatory religious almsgiving), and the Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca).  During this month Muslims from around the world are required to fast from dawn to dusk. During the fast Muslims may not eat, drink, smoke, or engage in sexual activity. Although fasting is made obligatory to believers of Islam, some groups are excluded: children who are not yet adolescent, the elderly and the chronically ill for whom fasting would be unreasonably strenuous, pregnant women and nursing mothers, the mentally retarded, travelers, and women during periods of menstruation. 1

Ramadan transpired during a month that is sacred in Islamic history. Muslims believe that it was during this month that the first revelation of the Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad from Allah (God). 2 The night on which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet, known as Lailat ul-Qadr (the Night of Power), is one of the last odd numbered nights in Ramadan. It is the only month of the year mentioned in the Quran. 3 In addition, the Battle of Badr 17th Ramadan 2 AH was the first battle fought by Muslims after their migration to Medina. The battle ended in victory for the outnumbered 313 Muslims against about 1000 Meccans.

Why Does Ramadan Occur at Different Times of the Year?

The dates of Ramadan (the ninth month of the year) change every year because the Islamic calendar is based on the revolutions of the moon. Lunar calendars strictly follow the sighting of a new moon to mark the beginning of each month. Since lunar months are shorter than the solar months used elsewhere, Islamic holidays begin on different days each year. The start of Ramadan comes around 11 days earlier each year according to the western Gregorian calendar, and consequently is not associated with any particular western month. For Muslims living in the United States, the fast may be comparatively short if Ramadan falls during the winter months

Answer 7

We fast during the day until Maghrib prayer (sunset prayer). We then break our fast after we pray and celebrate simply by going outside, visiting relatives and friends, etc.

The real celebration comes in Eid, after the month of Ramadan, we celebrate so much in Eid. They are the best days of a Muslim.

Your question is NOT offending sister, and May Allah show you true guidance and path.

Allah bless