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Quran read with light and love, re-members the reader into Unity.

“Why should we feed those whom God should have fed if He pleased?”

1. fasting is related with speeding in godsped.
2. one night around the last ten days, who fasts shall enlighten, it is named as KAdir Night. Kadir is the measurement unit of light and it is mightyness and potency.

3. Quran is interpretated different, much different within Zoroastorianism and nestorianism.

4. Muhammed learned with Andreas (Idris) after Adam, One of the Four. Quran is the Book to be Read.

5. Muhammed is a nestorian as is Jesus. as Jesus speaks of Father and Son, in the Quran the words are physical and spiritual words.

6. in the hands of Iran and Arabic Emevi Family that had tortured Muhammed, Quran was interpretated within Zoroastorianism. but it is not.

7. like Jesus of His 30s, Muhammed was with His 40s.

8. words in Quran can be read with consciousness in the public, wisdom in the spirit, united to flow into the Book, making the reader have the third meaning in his spirit.

9. du-alit-y is two sides shining. and this is with the light and love. Quran is to be read within du-alit-y. in duality, reader can suffer.

10. Quran is to raise and rise the reader in the heart. so are the words of Jesus in his own fluent words.

Volume 3, Book 37, Number 488h:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "An Israeli man asked another Israeli to lend him one thousand Dinars. The second man required witnesses. The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a witness.' The second said, 'I want a surety.' The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a surety.' The second said, 'You are right,' and lent him the money for a certain period. The debtor went across the sea. When he finished his job, he searched for a conveyance so that he might reach in time for the repayment of the debt, but he could not find any. So, he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars and a letter to the lender and then closed (i.e. sealed) the hole tightly. He took the piece of wood to the sea and said. 'O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a surety from me but I told him that Allah's Guarantee was sufficient and he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a Witness, and he accepted You as a Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could pay his money but could not find, so I hand over this money to You.' Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he started searching for a conveyance in order to reach the creditor's country.

One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for fire. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to him and said, 'By Allah, I had been trying hard to get a boat so that I could bring you your money, but failed to get one before the one I have come by.' The lender asked, 'Have you sent something to me?' The debtor replied, 'I have told you I could not get a boat other than the one I have come by.' The lender said, 'Allah has delivered on your behalf the money you sent in the piece of wood. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path.' "

MUNIBAHMAHABBA- maybe its a very special mercy that you can't fast physically because of illness-

it forces you to remember and be conscious in a way that others may not accomplish.

your taqwa demands that you be aware of how your fast (i personally consider your intentions and that you are fasting- its not your fault or doing- just like ladies cant fast sometimes) manifests in the very real lives around you.

ALLAH doesnt encourage extremism in behavior- and fasting to the point of ecstasy may make one feel good for awhile, but what does it bring back with to us earthbound?

its not about escapism but plunging into the conditions of our brothers and sister with super awareness of their suffering -

which builds great compassion, doesnt it?

its a sacrifice, not a suffering that we practice.
thaks for your post.

for health reasons, i wasnt able to fast today- and may not tomorrow.

my husband assured me that (when i felt guilty and kind of , you know, unworthy or down about it)
that the purpose of fastin gis not the destruction of health- it is actually a great disservice to ALLAH to disprespect this body to abuse it that way.

your post and humility actually enhanced my faith this evening, can you believe that?

well, its true

peace and a salaamu alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu to you brother in islam

I agree Ramadan is about rememberance. For me, it is even more. I cannot fast under physical circumstances, however, the rememberance of God and the observance of the poor, needy, and sick in the world does not elude me.

I watch how some of my friends, who are American Sufi Muslim converts, however, fast to the point of losing their connection with reality. They try to fast on their own and eventually lose themselves into estasy.

Ramadan is a special time to remember God, give thanks for what He has given, offer alms, and be a part of the community to celebrate life together after the fast.

I pray that He continues to bring our God consciousness with physical reality so that we could walk on the earth serving His children.

PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE WITH ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE THIS MORNING-

ive co-opted this little forgotten corner of the universe as my own little diary

after ramadan it will serve me well to remind me

THE MERCY OF ALLAH

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 29: Narrated Abu Huraira:

I heard Allah's Apostle saying, Allah divided Mercy into one-hundred parts and He kept its ninety-nine parts with Him and sent down its one part on the earth, and because of that, its one single part, His creations are Merciful to each other, so that even the mare lifts up its hoofs away from its baby animal, lest it should trample on it."

and one of my persoal all time favorites-
VERILY MY MERCY HAS OVERCOME MY ANGER
bukhari vol.4 #416

peace

good morning good peoples

todays gem-

Volume 8, Book 73, Number 135:
Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger."

peace and peace

Qu'ran 22:78 He (ALLAH) has chosen you and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship.

The Propht(pbuh) said, "The most beloved religion to ALLAH is the TOLERANT Hanifiyyah[i.e.Islamic Monotheism- to worship ALLAH and not to worship anything else along with HIM.]"

Marrated Abu Hurairah, the Prophet(pbuh) said, "Religion is very EASY and whoever overburdens himself in this religion will not be able to CONTINUE in that way. So you should NOT BE EXTREMISTS, but try to be near perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering Salat(prayers) in the mornings, afternoons and during the last hours of the nights."

Fath Al-Bari Vol.1 Page 102
Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.1 Hadith No. 38

time to make the doughnuts

hey lib- if i fasted 24/7/365 i couldnt get back to you on anything because id be dead!

you werent suggesting THAT were you?

peace

Arif wrote:
Already in places of Europe where Muslims "work" they are trying to get people not to eat in front of fasting Muslims to "respect" their beliefs. Muslims love being seen, they love attention that is why the Muslim month of Ramadan is publicized.

Good point !
I had a friend who was warned for chewing gum in public in Abu Dhabi during ramadan, he was only 14 years old at that time. Here the police accompanied him home and complained to his mother.

Eboo,

Ramadan's all about human's making sacrifices for a deity who loves sacrificing humans !

victoria
that's nice schedule.

'Cats and dogs in the developed world have more rights than Arab women," says Wajeha al-Huwaider, the Saudi writer and human rights activist. With that in mind, she has co-founded, along with Fawzia al-Uyyouni, the League of Demanders of Women's Right to Drive Cars in Saudi Arabia.

Don't laugh; such a movement will strike many as quixotic considering the current status of women in the desert kingdom. In Saudi Arabia, the fairer sex can't work, travel, study, marry or see a doctor without the permission of a male "legal guardian." Strict dress codes are enforced by the vice police. Dissent, by men or women, isn't tolerated. Ms. al-Huwaider says she is taking one step at a time.

The league is now collecting signatures for a petition to be delivered to King Abdullah on September 23, the country's national holiday. Published on the liberal Arab Web site Aafaq last week, the petition demands that the King "return that which has been stolen from women: the right to (free) movement through the use of cars," according to a translation by MEMRI media research institute. As of this writing, the petition has collected 220 signatures. Those are 220 brave people.

There have been small signs of recent progress for women in Saudi Arabia, especially in the workplace. King Abdullah issued a decree last year saying women should be encouraged to work in all fields; and an increasing number of workplaces, including in government, are establishing separate sections for female employees. A year ago women were admitted to law school for the first time. Now if only they were free to drive themselves to school or work.

copied from WSJ Women Drivers, September 14, 2007; Page A12

Mr. Eboo Patel also, either deliberately or inadvertently, forgot to tell his readers that the Qu'Ran very clearly orders Muslim men to stay inside the confines of the mosque from daybreak to nightfall and pray. Muslim women must stay inside the homes, I presume.

2:187 Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. God knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what God Hath ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in RETREAT IN YOUR MOSQUES. Those are Limits (set by) God: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth God make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.

As a former believer but still a culturally Muslim, I would like to offer my views on Ramdan.

Ramdan is a pagan custom and like the kabbah and the worship of the god Allah was allowed by Muhammad to remain as part of the Islamic belief system as its expunging would have hampered the unification of the Arabs that Muhammad was aiming for.

Allah was the family diety of Muhammad's family before he promoted Allah to the chief and the only god. Muhammad's father was Abdullah, slave of Allah, before Allah got his promotion.

Ramdan was a practice among the Arabs long before Islam came into the picture. The Arabs avoided violence during the month but Muhammad violated this ancient practice by attacking Meccan caravans and robbing them.

Ramdan is not truly a fast. It is merely the skipping of lunch and has been aptly called skip-lunch-adan. Muslims eat heartily during Ramdan, they merely miss lunch. Millions of people , many of them affluent enough to eat lunch daily, skip lunch 365 days a year, as a way to shed weight or because they are too easy. I do it at leat twice a week throughout the year. But I never skip water.

The prohibition on the consumption of water is a medically unsound practice. Our bodies require fluids constantly and at regular hours and to deprive our body of fluids is something the True God would never mandate. The Arabic god Allah was evidently ignorant of this fact.

Hello brother/sister pagans!
As a born again pagan, I see how superficial and meaningless the Muslim month of ramadan (back where I am from they call it Ramzan)is. I for one do admire my Christian friends way of fasting, it is not intrusive and neither is it public but a private matter between oneself and their god. They give up some things and strive to be better people, they also save money on given up items and ultimately give their savings to the poor or whatever. Having grown up and lived much of my life in a 98% Muslim country I know how ritualistic and abusive this Muslim ritual can be. It's a month where Muslims demand changes, a gang/gag mentality. Already in places of Europe where Muslims "work" they are trying to get people not to eat in front of fasting Muslims to "respect" their beliefs. Muslims love being seen, they love attention that is why the Muslim month of Ramadan is publicized. Does anyone know about Hindu rituals? there are more Hindus where I live but we know nothing about them, why so much attention to Ramadan? lots of coverage to this tribalistic religion.
Ramadan; wake up with to an alarm, anytime one has to wake up to an alarm it is cutting into your bodies natural sleep cycle and automatically destroys creativity and productivity during the day. After waking up, eat, pray go back to sleep then go to "work", in a Muslim country they KNOW productivity is poor everyone understands, all you have to say at work is ... and I'll do a weak translate - "my fast is hitting me" and people who need your work will back off, no questions asked.
Why does this tribal god (Allah) demand that one has to wake up at a certain time pray at a certain time eat at a certain time cease eating at a given time, commence eating at an exact time? Do you know that your fast will be "canceled" if even a drop of water touches your lips and may make it down your throat! I remember once running to my Mum and telling her that my fast was ... I almost forgot that word "makroo"? or something and getting a sever lecture. One question to my former Muslim brothers (they don't accept me as brother anymore- cry! cry!) as I go; Can a menstruating woman pray naked alone in her room? ...just curious, would Allah or mohammed be offended?

Victoria,

Get back to us when you fast 24/7 365. Gorging yourself with goodies at 7 PM, 9 PM, 11 PM followed by some sleep with a final "gorge" at 5 AM is hardly fasting. I believe this is how the "holey not holy hallucinator" also "fasted" in his thirty cave days with Gabriel aka the "pwtfft".

Poor Jesus, he had to deal with a "ugly wingie talking flying fictional thingie" for forty days and forty nights" before his "pwtfft" arrived.

a salaamu alaikum and good morning starshines-

time to feed the family

word for the day-
MUHSIN- a good-doer who performs good deeds totally for ALLAH's sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame, and in accordance with the sunnah of ALLAH's Messenger Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him).

An interesting and poignant essay, Mr. Patel. Thank you for writing it. I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Morocco some years ago during Ramadan and saw how it could be a cleansing period of refocusing oneself and putting one's dependent relationship with God into perspective.

Other posters...please keep your comments on-topic. Off-topic posting is against the Washington Post's rules and its their space they are loaning us to comment here.

Victoria,

Until you come to grips with the flaws of Islam and dangers associated with said flaws, what you have for dinner has no meaning. If there is a Singularity, it surely hears nothing said by followers of a religion that is based on the hallucinations of some old, warmongering, Arab polygamist.

If you really care about the world, demand a revision of the koran!!!!!

when i went to tell my husband about my post he reminded me that all we had for dinner was soup today.
normally our dinners are alot more substantial meat and potato type meals.

its just not possible to stuff yourself after nothing in your tummy all day.

but i have to admit my sleep patterns will take alittle adjusting.

my poor hubby has to work all day and doesnt get home till after 7pm- but i didnt take a nap today so i guess were still on the same schedule-
(im something of a night owl)

i woke up at 3:00 am yesterday morning and prepared the meal we eat before sunrise-
at at 4:53 am we started our fast, prayed and went to sleep until 7:00am.

i must admit ive had a headache all day because i ususally drink coffee in the morning-

but that will pass in a few days.
at 7:19 this evening i drank some water and we prayed and ate a small meal.

when you fast all day you dont really have an appetite, it's not really possible to gorge oneself.

at 3:00 this afternoon i read 1/30th of the qu'ran.

after 9ish at night we pray our last prayer, and extra 'sunnah prayers (which we always do) and then taraweeh prayers- which take an extra 45 minutes or so.

thats about that- theres really no time or inclination for over-consumption- but i do try to drink more water at night because ill have no liquids all day.

ramadan is not about suffering, but about making some sacrifice.

so i dont gorge, and i certainly dont sleep, but i was kind of extra tired today, but that will also pass.

peace

My neighbor is celebrating Ramadan. They had chickpea soup and roasted butternut squash for dinner last night. It smelled delicious, but hardly seemed decadent.

I do not believe in God personally, but I admire the work of Eboo Patel. Like all of our great inventions, religion represents both the best and the worst of who we are. In the early twentieth century, humans split the atom. When we did that, we developed a technology that could provide electricity to millions. We also developed a technology that resulted in the destruction of two Japanese cities and could, in the wrong hands, result in the annihilation of countless humans.

Religious people throughout the ages have done both great good and unspeakable harm, and holy scriptures contain both great wisdom and unfathomable violence. Speaking only of the barbarism of scriptures and not acknowledging some of the great wisdom communicated in them is intellectually dishonest. In the end, if Eboo Patel and the Interfaith Youth Core are teaching kids to focus on the best facets of religious faith and encouraging them to live up to the highest ideals found in their faiths, I applaud them. I would only encourage them to keep religion out of government and to expand their vision of cooperation to include nonbelievers.

The first 2 words adaquately describe Islam's ramadam, doctrine and end: I'm starving.

Some merciful Koranic verses for infidels of America:

47:4- “Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), strike off their heads; at length; then when you have made wide Slaughter among them, carefully tie up the remaining captives”: thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens.”

9:123: “Oh ye who believe! Murder those of the disbelievers and let them find harshness in you.”

2:191- “Kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out.”

5: 45-- “We ordained therein for them: “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear. Toth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.”

2:193- “Fight them on until there is no more tumult and religion becomes that of Allah”

9:29- "Fight those who do not believe in God and the last day... and fight People of the Book, (Christian and Jews) who do not accept the religion of truth (Islam) until they pay tribute (Zizziya tax) by hand, being inferior.”

8:17—It is not ye who Slew them; it is God; when thou threwest a handful of dust, it was not Thy act, but God’s…..” (Allah is a real merciful indeed!)

5:33-“The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution (by beheading), or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;”

8:12- “I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off.”

What makes you holy? I don't see where that is explained?

"I remember that in this month in the year 610, Muhammad received the first revelations of the Holy Qur’an."

Really, you remember? Were you there? Or were you made to hallucinate in this life as a kid and then some?

Mark: I lived in Saudi Arabia for over a year and I can tell you that those who say it's all about gorging at night and sleeping during the day are correct. The few people who were out during the day were cranky and sleepy, but at night... restaurants and shops open all night and very crowded. No wonder people looked forward to Ramadan!
I note that not everyone the world over acts this way, but I saw what I saw in the seat of Islam. There are plenty of people with good intentions, and I say to them what another poster said: help everyone on a continual basis. If God is in all of us, isn't this the more spiritual approach? Moreover, if the body is supposed to be a temple created by God, I don't see the point of going through hard-core deprivation for a month--the lack of water during the heat of the day, especially when Ramadan falls in or near the summer, is doing more damage than good to the temple. But hey, Christians judge--against a supposed direct quote from Jesus, and people kill (pick your religion) when whatever "word of God" is filled with messages of peace and tolerance.

I've been working nights for three years now. I've been keeping a near perfect Ramadan fast all that time. Who knew?

a salaamu alikum brother patel and ramadan mubarak

i watch this every morning before the sun rises

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZYEiK22zow

may our small sacrifices please ALLAH and increase our compassion for others who are not as blessed as we are in america

peace

"During Ramadan: observant Muslims do not eat, drink, smoke or have sex during daylight hours."

No wonder they're cranky. That must be hard on the smokers.

Remember:

Cigarette Smuggling Linked to Terrorism

"Smugglers with ties to terrorist groups are acquiring millions of dollars from illegal cigarette sales and funneling the cash to organizations such as al Qaeda and Hezbollah, federal law enforcement officials say."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A23384-2004Jun7?language=printer

ARIF - change your name - it doesnt suit you.

TIM - Who on earth told you that Islam expects Muslims to walk around showing peolple we are fasting?????????? Get your facts straight...

I am very sad to see so many offensive comments in response to the article on Ramadan by Eboo Patel. I am privileged to have as a friend a Lebanese woman who is an observant Muslim. She shared her joy about Ramadan and how fasting has enriched her spiritual life. I was very impressed by her words; I recall as a Catholic child how I complained at fasting a few hours--this woman found joy in fasting from sunup to sundown every day for a month! I felt honored to witness her sharing what her faith means to her.
Sad that there are so many people responding on this beautiful site in a manner that is so demeaning of the beliefs of others. Thank you, Mr. Patel, for sharing your thoughts and observations.

Mark,

My observations about Ramadan stand as per the comments of others that followed my original note.

May your "pretty wingie talking flying fictional thingie" forgive your hasty comments.

On to the Golden Arches!!!! Yum, yum!!

I am greatly saddened to see the negative comments concerning Ramadan. Those Muslims who I have known do not "gorge" themselves after sundown. In fact, they enjoy a relatively sane meal before dawn and after sunset -- because to do anything else violates the spirit of Ramadan. There may be those who act in a reprehensible manner, but they do not represent the intent of the month. Further, I would be curious as to whether those who are scornful of the act of fasting could actually accomplish even a week under such a discipline. In a country where the "consumer" is truly valued over the "citizen" -- to set aside that consuming role is to truly be disciplined for one's faith.

Note: I am agnostic and from a conservative Christian background. I have generally found that my Muslim friends are less hypocritical and more generous (not to mention less imposing of their religion on others) than many Christians I could name.

I am greatly saddened to see the negative comments concerning Ramadan. Those Muslims who I have known do not "gorge" themselves after sundown. In fact, they enjoy a relatively sane meal before dawn and after sunset -- because to do anything else violates the spirit of Ramadan. There may be those who act in a reprehensible manner, but they do not represent the intent of the month. Further, I would be curious as to whether those who are scornful of the act of fasting could actually accomplish even a week under such a discipline. In a country where the "consumer" is truly valued over the "citizen" -- to set aside that consuming role is to truly be disciplined for one's faith.

Note: I am agnostic and from a conservative Christian background. I have generally found that my Muslim friends are less hypocritical and more generous (not to mention less imposing of their religion on others) than many Christians I could name.

If "God" did not make you "holy" in the first place, how is what goes in your mouth or does not go in your mouth change that? How does the slaughter of a million goats or sheep make you holy? How does the slaughter of a 100,000 innocents make you holy? You want to 'remember' something Patel, remember to turn and face your religion and work to change it so that at least it doesn't produce a crop of head-chopping lunatics. I think you're all just under this insane delusion there's some whopper of a force up there that ordained all this. Christian, Muslim, Jew - you're all deluded. If there is a God that made this mess of a bunch of religions I wouldn't let "Him" tie my shoelaces much less RUN THE UNIVERSE.

ARIF, thank you for the truth about Ramadan. Here is what Jesus Christ said about fasting.

Mathew 6:16 "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Jesus was able to see a man's heart and he has told us that an outward display of fasting is done by hypocrites who want the approval of man. Jews don't do this, for the most part, these days. It is ironic that most Jews seem to be free from worthless rituals these days and that it is the Muslim who has rituals and practices that are similar to those found in the NT and condemned by Christ. In spiritual matters, the devote Muslim has taken up the practice of works to get their salvation and it won't work.

"The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different. " - Gandhi ji

It is the first day of Ramadan, and I can feel the hunger in my stomach while my soul and my heart are about to start a wonderful journey. Hard to explain it, you should taste it.

Oh I forgot the horrible bad breath, imagine yourself stuck inside a crowded bus or an elevator with our fasting and pious Muslim brothers , then you would know the meaning of hell fire breathing down your neck. the stench, I assure you will knock you out, for those who wish to experience it themslves, visit the nearest Arab or Islamic country and experience the breeze of paradise yourself.

"But Ramadan is not a normal time. This is a month, in my view, not primarily about restraint, but about remembrance."

I agree. Ramadan is not normal..

The propaganda of this being a time to reflect for Muslims must be countered with TRUTH.

Muslims pursue violence and Ramadan does not deter that violence.

Eboo Patel, in your time of remembrance this year: please remember this lack of restraint and the ensuing violence and suffering.

LIST OF BATTLES FOUGHT DURING RAMADAN BY MUSLIMS:

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

This year watch WORLD NEWS..

A whole lot of bigoted idiots out here. Some are absolutely clueless and myopic. And Arif (if that is really your name), you are just a hypocrite.

Ramadan is all about price gouging, insatiable appetite for consmuning massive amount of food(of course after sundown and for 10 consecutive hours) just eat yourself to an early grave(check with your local hospitals ahout exploding stomachs ad heart attacks), and who has the time after all that mayhem to remember anything with images of roasted leg of lamb or grilled chicken in mind, Ramadan brings out the worst in people, grumpy crazed drivers( road rage incidents rise dramatically just before the canon sounds it's time to indulge), and for non-Muslims, it's rather mission impossible to be able to get something to eat during daytime. Ramadan is just too cruel a month and I can't wait for it to be over.

This is a very concise way of educating non-Muslims on this holy holiday. Thank you.

That was a very nice article. Ramadan should be the time of peace, self analysis, and appreciation. As the largest consuming nation in the world we take everything for granted. How do we appreciate something if we don't make some type of sacrifice. For example, if you eat chocolate every day, you won't appreciate the sweet reward unless you only have it certain days. When you return to the chocolate, you enjoy and appreciate it more than the last time you had it. With no sacrifice everything becomes routing, mundane, and unappreciated.
For all the haters out there, Islam is a religion of peace and some of the basic principles that we have in our democracy is based on THE TRUE Islamic ideology. A woman's right to divorce, own property, and be independent all started from Islam. Many advancements in Math, Astronomy, and Medicine that we still use today came from Islam. Islam believes in Moses, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary, so the three main religions are all intertwined and they complement one another. Now, I know certain people have taken this peaceful religion and have hijacked it for their own personal use and agenda, but doesn't Zionism and many of the Evangelicals do the same thing? For centuries the Roman Catholic Church used Christianity for political and financial gain with little to no regard for religion or human life. Zionism uses Judaism to kill Palestinians and deny them the basic necessities to live.
To conclude my thought, all religions must respect one another. During this time of Ramadan I pray and wish that all Muslims take advantage of this holy month and those who are not Muslim, I invite you to understand what the TRUE Islam is and avoid believing in the stereotypes you see on television. Ramadan Mubarak!!!

Ramadan,the month of Oppression and Compulsion.

*Fasting* means *abstaining from all food and all drink from the Sunrise to the Sunset,proximately thirteen hours*

Fasting is an *adaptation* from Judaism.
Islam is a bad and wrong *imitation* of Judaism indeed.

First of all,Fasting is harmful for Human Health.If you eat nothing and if you dont drink water under desert heats at summer times,your body damaged and this causes to curtail your lifelong.
Sweden,Finland ,the life expectancy is about 80 years and more,
But,Kuwait,Saudi Arabia oil riched countries and other hunger islamic countries,the life expectancy is about 65 years and less.

As you know islam is Idleness.One who fasts can not sleep at night(because he must eat at night),so he sleeps at work(if he has a job)
Fasting is Idleness.

If you intent to visit any islamic countries during the Ramadan and if you are not fasting,I strongly dont advise you to go,because you can not find any open restaurant.you can not eat and drink.For example,if you smoke at street,you may probably be beaten.This is a *compulsion* and you are obligated to *respect* the fasting.

so i'm a muslim in america. born and raised. ramadan has always been a great time of year for me. its a time where my family always wakes up, prays, and eats together. its a time where the tv is off and we actually spend more time with our loved ones and friends and try increase our religious knowledge and focus more on spiritual growth and on our character. we focused not only on abstaining from food and drink, but also from bad behaviors and just being better people.

i realize in many places, ramadan has turned into a circus where people sleep all day and are awake all night and party all the time, but lets face it, isnt't christmas a similar circus? its what people to do religion, not really the religion itself...

Yes,
It is a great time when we are put into the situation that makes us come to know that we have so much to be thankful for. Keeping away from food, anger, water and other daily needs helps us realize what we have and how others may or may not have what we have.

We Christians also fast during certain times of the liturgical year. So kudos to my muslim brothers and sisters for fasting during this time.

Ramadan is the most hypocrite month for our righteous muslims. This is the muslim month where viruously nothing is done during this month. All government offices will tell you, "Come after Ramadan and after Eid and your work will get done". People sleep during the day and are angry and crabby. They scorn people who don't "fast" and are not miserable like them. People are arrested and punished for eating in front of a "fasting" Muslim. Good fasting muslims walk in the streets looking at homes where it appears no one is awake and asleep, they hurl stones and urge them to "fast".
At night after the sacred fast is over, there is food and so much of it, they eat and eat and eat, food streets are full, people eating.
Folks, muslims gain weight during the one month of "fasting".
Islam has no enjoyment, therefore eating and sex are the only legal un-frowned upon natural accepted forms of entertainment. Fasting is actually an excuse for massive food binging. People who have come out of Muslim countries are not fooled so easily by the likes of Eboo Patel.

scott
Kids dont fast ramadan..it shows how much you know about the religion!

Thank you for this timely reminder about the deeper meaning of Ramadan. Sometimes while fasting in Ramadan we seem to focus only on ourselves - we forget the plight of many in this world who barely have enough to eat, whose children go to bed at night with an empty belly. It is so easy to forget them when we are surrounded by so much abundance in our daily lives. Thanks again for reminding us of our sacred duty to others...

Mr. Patel, this is a reminder to me that billions of people on this planet labor under the delusion that there is some kind of supernatural entity that created the cosmos and gave dominion to mankind. This poisons respect for nature and reason and leads us inevitably into the disregard for life and the continuing hatred, division and violence we see in the world today. I will pray during the month of Ramadan for the end of all religion.

Mr. Patel, this is a reminder to me that billions of people on this planet labor under the delusion that there is some kind of supernatural entity that created the cosmos and gave dominion to mankind. This poisons respect for nature and reason and leads us inevitably into the disregard for life and the continuing hatred, division and violence we see in the world today. I will pray during the month of Ramadan for the end of all religion.

Washington Post: "Iraqi tribal leader Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, a key figure in U.S. efforts to turn local residents against al-Qaeda in the restive Anbar province, was killed today by a roadside bomb, U.S. military and Iraqi sources confirmed."

Islamism is an ideology of such hatred that it completely obliterates the peaceful message that should be inside the act of true Ramadan. The Islamic religion has been so integrated into an ideology of division and hate, that it offers no faith at all to follow.

Your Ramadan takes place amidst Arab and Persian governments building nuclear plants pointed at the destruction of any Western culture that does not share a position of dhimmitude.

Let your Ramadan prepare you to confront Arab and Persian governments that plan a destiny of nihilist Islamism that promises you a life that would make the Taliban dance you into death trances.

Dear Eboo,
Ramadan Mubarak:) Thank you, as always, for initiating a different kind of dialogue on religion. One of the things that I think most people miss is that Ramadan, as well as fasting in other religious traditions, is not simply characterized by an abstention from eating and other activities, but also by action on behalf of those who are suffering. One of the things that I appreciate most about the Muslim Students Association here at the university is how they host a Fast-a-thon every year. During this time they invite Muslims and non-Muslims alike to fast together for a day and then join in an iftar dinner that evening. During the dinner they raise awareness about global poverty and raise funds to support different aid programs. It is a very sacrificial way of helping others and I am always moved by this event. May your time of fasting be a blessing to others as you continue to reach out to and help those in need.

In Peace,

Nicholas Price

Ramadan... another irrational religious holiday. As an Atheist I find ALL religious holidays both amusing and Nutty. And my saying this will have the faithful up in arms to kill me for their god etc. How about a more positive religious time? Instead of suffering for a month and making kids suffer with you, why not honor your gods by actions of unconditional kindness toward ALL - all people of all religions and even non believers? Why not seminars on how to be nice, nurturing and giving to all to all Life and to preserve the planet IN AN UNCONDITIONAL MANNER? Why not holidays of ... instead of suffering created by gluttony or abstinence, find a middle road and let all give and accept in modest self AND OTHER nurturing ways ... and not sacrifice anything but..... EGOS ? Oh what a concept. Too sane so it would not go well with the Religious.

Very thought provoking post. For a while whenever I think I am starving, before I go and grab something to eat, I will think of all those people who are starving every day.

Anonymous = Concerned The Christian Now Liberated:

Anonymous,
From your comment it is clear that you know very little. It also shows that you are a bigoted individual. Do you actually think that for the hundreds of millions of those faithful who fast during the month of Ramadan life activities as we know them simply cease during daytime while they are fasting? And what about the "gorge themselves up" and the "pwtfft", etc. drivel? It sounds as if you are either an uneduacted and a not well-travelled individual or simply a misinformed bigot or a combination of the two. Now you can go back to your desk and continue to 'gorge yourself up' with with swine, cheeseit,soda, and popcorn. Enjoy the Jerry Springer Show!

If only Muhammed had also had a month where he expressly fasted from attacking "infidels" and making them dhimmis, we might be on to something.

Repeating the last two commentaries from the Poetry thread:

To Victoria:

Concerned the Christian... made a valid point: There is feasting after sunset every single day after the daytime fast. As a result more meat is sold (because more is eaten during the period of the fast!)during the time of Ramadan than at other times of the year. Not much of a way to contemplate on those who have nothing to eat, with feasting allowed from sunset to sunrise.

Nevertheless, not drinking even water all day is quite a feat. Any charity that may extended to the poor during the period of Ramadan must be appreciated (it stands to reason that merely thinking of the world's poor while indulging in a feast at from sundown to sunrise has nothing to do with charity), if such activity happens to be part of Ramadan.

Posted on September 12, 2007 21:49

Concerned The Christian Now Liberated:

Victoria,

Hmmm, but you forgot to add, "then we gorge ourselves from Sundown to Sunup". We then sleep most of the day".

And when you are awake and reading the koran, do you skip the militaristic and anti-female passages???? And forget about the "pwtfft" responsible for bringing all this enlightenment in your life???

Posted on September 12, 2007 13:48