NationStates Jolt Archive

Is anyone here fasting?

Is anyone here fasting?

No, but I didn't eat dinner today because my friends didn't.

You can eat at McDonald's, you know. It is, after all, fast food.

Is anyone here fasting?

Not for Ramadan, but I'll fast on Yom Kippur. :P;)

You can eat at McDonald's, you know. It is, after all, fast food.

:) :) :) *laughs*

no. I have heard that you are not even allowed to drink at this time, so it definately makes me glad I am not a muslim. Also, it makes me wonder if you are allowed to breathe before sunset during Ramadan.

Not fasting for Ramadan, no.. maybe during Lent, but even then, probably not.

I used to enjoy fasting, but it's been hard to build up that kind of focus lately.. I've fasted enough to know that (for me at least) any discomfort due to hunger dissipates after the third day, but I tend to lose about 2 productive hours per day to malaise after about two weeks, and I can't afford to lose those right now. I'm an advocate for fasting in general, though. :)

Ramzan Mubarak.

so it definately makes me glad I am not a muslim

Not all Muslims fast.

There are exceptions for some people. Pregnant women or soldiers at war, for example, do not have to fast.

So are Muslims prohibited from eating, period during Ramadan, or only between sunrise and sunset?

Never. Any god that makes you fast for them is a dick. And none of my gods are dicks.

Yes, but only because I'm anorexic.

It starts from a bit before sunrise to sunset, you don't eat, don't drink, don't have sex, curse, hurt someones feelings etc.

Fully in control and voluntarily you perform this special form of prayer to God in Physical form as well as spiritual form. It is faith not just in words easily spoken but really felt physically. It is meant to make you feel how others feel, understand the hungry and poor, living in bad conditions. It is intented to break ones ignorance of painful truths, you don't think of unlucky people when you are always full.
If your health does not allow it you are excused, like all other prayers and obligations in islam. One that needs his medication needs to take it, making yourself suffer needlessly just for ritual purposes is forbidden. But overzealous people sometimes just do whatever they put on their minds. The details are often discussed as what conditions may break it and in what conditions one can continue practice.

So are Muslims prohibited from eating, period during Ramadan, or only between sunrise and sunset?

Short answer: the fast is sunrise to sunset.

Long answer:
Eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and smoking are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghrib). During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, angry and sarcastic retorts, refrain from gambling and betting and gossip. Sexual intercourse during fasting in the day is not allowed but is permissable after the fast. All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast brings on a comfortable feeling of peace and calm.

Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast. However, if puberty is later than is normally expected, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age. According to the Qur'an, if fasting would be dangerous to someone's health, such as a person with an illness or medical condition (this can include the elderly), that person is excused. For example, diabetics and nursing or pregnant women are not usually expected to fast; but they are encouraged to feed a needy person instead[1]. According to hadith, observing the Ramadan fast is not allowed during menstruation period for women; still they (women) must make up these days they didn't fast during their menstruation period. Other individuals for whom it is usually considered acceptable not to fast are those in battle and travelers who intend to spend fewer than ten days away from home. If one's condition preventing fasting is only temporary, one is required to make up for the days missed after the month of Ramadan is over and before the next Ramadan arrives. If one's condition is permanent or present for an extended period of time, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.

If one who does not fit into one of the exempt categories breaks the fast out of forgetfulness, the fast is still valid. If, however, one intentionally breaks the fast, that individual must continue fasting for the remainder of the day but then make up for the entire day later in addition to a "penalty" (kaffara) which can be in one of three forms: fasting for 60 consecutive days[citation needed], or feeding 60 people in need. If one breaks the fast through consensual sexual intercourse, the transgressor must make up for the day lost while also choosing one of the above penalities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan#Fasting

More:
http://www.sunnah.org/ibadaat/fasting/ramadan1.html
http://www.majalla.org/books/law/fasting.htm

Is anyone here fasting?

Not for Ramadan. But I've been neglecting my Buddhist retreats, which often involve fasting, for some time, and will probably be on a fast sometime before the end of the year.

Oh, I'm observing Ramadan. But you don't want to know how ;)

Oh, I'm observing Ramadan. But you don't want to know how ;)

No, I really do. Please offer up some more details of your unending hatred for Islam, Muslims and of course the L word.

Not Muslim, but I never eat during the day anyway, so it really doesn't impress me how they fast during the day for a month. But hey, whatever turns your crank.