Living in New York City, it seems that most people are too distracted to take moments to stop and reflect. So much of our day becomes routine and we stop thinking about why we do what we do - we just do. Sometimes this can be good, but most of time it can be bad. We miss out on opportunity and pass up on beauty in our mindless haste to follow our habits. The Washington Post ran a Social experiment with Joshua Bell a few years ago that very interestingly highlighted this phenomenon.
The month of Ramadan to me represents such an opportunity to stop, reflect, and deepen one's consciousness. One is able to more concretely understand the beauty of this world and the blessings one has been given as one strives to deepen their relationship with the Divine by cultivating a better understanding of themselves and those that are around them. Or it can be an opportunity missed where one just gets hungry and thirsty and doesn't really ask themselves why they are fasting.
My fiancee sent me a quote on Ramadan that she heard a few years ago from a female Islamic scholar and on this first day of Ramadan as I am asking myself why I am fasting and what I hope to achieve out of this month, I am reminded of it:
"There are as many forms of fasting as there are organs of perception and sensation, and each of these has many different levels. So we ask to fast from all that Allah does not love for us, and to feast on what the Beloved loves for us. Let us certainly fast from the limited mind, and all that it conjures up. Let us fast from fear, apart from fear and awe of Allah's majesty. Let us fast from thinking that we know, when Allah alone is the Knower. Let us fast from thinking negatively of anyone. Let us fast from our manipulations and strategies. Let us fast from all complaint about the life experiences that Allah gives us. Let us fast from our bad habits and our reactions. Let us fast from desiring what we do not have. Let us fast from obsession. Let us fast from despair. Let us fast from not loving our self, and from denying our heart. Let us fast from selfishness and self-centered behavior. Let us fast from thinking that only what serves us is important. Let us fast from seeing reality only from our own point of view. Let us fast from seeing any reality other than Allah, and from relying on anything other than Allah. Let us fast from desiring anything other than Allah and Allah's Prophets and friends, and our own true self. Essentially, let us fast from thinking that we have any existence separate from Allah."
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Ramadan – A Time for Reflection | MuslimMatters.org
Ramadan Reflection - Serenity through Sajdah > Mosque Foundation ...
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you (Christians & Jews), that ye may increase taqwa (self-restraint, God-consciousness)" (2:183)
"Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful." (2:185)
1) If a person can abstain from water during hot hours of the day, then it would be easy for that person to abstain from alcohol.
2) If a person can abstain from marital relations with his/her own spouse during the fasting period, then he/she can learn to control themselves from having extra-marital relations.
3) By not allowing a sip of water to enter the stomach, the person learns self-restraint.
4) By avoiding bad language and arguments during Ramadan, the person furthers his/her self-control and will be a more pleasant person, who is more productive and avoids fighting. The fasting person is prohibited from arguing with others, as mentioned in an authentic narration (Hadith).
The Christians are mentioned in our Quran as going to heaven if they’re a GOOD believing person...Islam is the only religion that specifically names other religions and say that GOOD people from that religion go to heaven. It’s the only one. It’s the only one that’s not exclusive where GOD ISN'T EXCLUSIVE, Heaven is not exclusive, Love is not exclusive. Let's be good to one another.
http://nutritionforum.com/index.php?plugin=Blog&id=5&title=how-our-body-benefits-from-ramadan
I've studied too many religions and......... they all fail all tests.
what proof do you have that your god is more real or true than anyone elses? your proof cannot be a bible (because all other religions have multiple holy books too) and your proof cannot be 'because you just know' (because all other follows of all faiths have those too).
i love jesus. it's the christians that really turn me away.
on how to deflect
intolerance and hate
before it is too late
that there is enough
room in the world
to try ideas
that differ
between you and i
embrace this new knowledge
learn the power of good
then the planet would
revolve, the way it should
why not unmuslims try to fast with muslims and try join along any muslim dude you know to participate in iftar at sunset!
i saw many un-muslims do this from time to time..
- Apparently they don't do that in Iran Somalia and Saudi Arabia not to mention Afghanistan or Pakistan.
Ever wondered why so many mslm countries are doing poorly? No democracies no human rights.