For my fasting friends: How do you do it?
I have a question for my fasting friends;
If I miss breakfast or basically go for anything more than about 2 hours without eating I get hunger pains, go light headed & wobbly legged and have to hunt something edible out. How do you get through a whole day without food, and even more incredibly without drink? How much does it affect your ability to perform every day tasks?
;)
I'll say no more.
You're right, I have little faith in my ability to drive when my energy levels are low causing my awareness and reactions to be reduced! That's not for this thread though.
tallg, that's because you have little faith! *sarchastically speaking*
Work = home for me! And anyway, there's no way I'd go out driving if I'd not eaten for hours. I think it's ludicrous that people are allowed to.
i remember my first go at fasting when i was 7 years old. i managed around 10 fasts, i.e 20 X half day fasts :).... i remember waiting everyday for 12pm, and then feeling proud of my achievement - one of those few childhood things that has always stayed in my memory! :)
---Life is Fragile, Handle with Prayer---
tough day at QL huh? had been away for so long that I thought things would have changed... but its more or less the same really... looks like...
doing it when you are at home with not much to do is the worst thing you could do cos then hunger has all the time to play on your mind, if you are busy at work with something occupying your mind, its a lot easier...
If you've been fasting from the time that you were young, its really not that hard. Its very hard the first time you do it... as a child or a teenager or an adult. But most grown ups find the first three days of ramadhan a bit hard but after that one hardly notices...
As for children, its usually a gradual process... they have several gos at it but usually give up once it forenoon or afternoon but eventually manage to do it... but of course there is no cumpulsion on children
Hello there.
I dont know about what everyone have said, but as for me,
I am a 16 year old girl. I have no problems fasting, and I don't feel that hungry when its Iftar time neither.
I go to school everyday in this grilling high temp.! haha, but it's all good for me, from my point of view, it's just the people who have strong faith, can go through this very easily, it's kinda a miracle! just something spontaneous!
When the power of love overcomes the love of power,
the world will know PEACE!
-Jimi Hendrix.
Yes, one has a whole year to do/catch up the fasting. So if someone can not fast now he/she can do it later when it is better suited. ie in winter.
For all of you with these hypothetical questions Islam should be easy on you. Not make it difficult. It is people with their assumptions and ideas that make Islam look & seem ,ie fasting, praying, wearing hijab difficult. We Muslims dont complain, so why should you?
Aisha-Taweela
"And i think i read somewhere that any fasting missed, must be added to the end of Ramadan, but how, he will still be working outside in the heat ?"
MR. Paul, that is your misunderstanding. If someone missed fasting during ramadan due to some valuable reasons, he has to complete it before next year ramadan, not to the end of ramadan.....
Almighty Allah is merciful to His creations. So He better knows what is good and bad for them..Thus He provided the rules and regulations to the believers how to live in this life....
Referring to my eralier post, the government law has nothing to do with Fasting. I already cleared that islam doesn't stop non-believers from eating or drinking during ramadan. It is upto the local authorities. As clearbluesky mentioned, these GCC countries have their own local laws which prohibits eating in public during ramadan etc. but it is not derived from Islamic teachings. As I told earlier, the fasting is entirely a personal will and it won't break by seeing someone eating/making or supplying food etc. If one is fasting on full faith on Almighty Allah and His orders, then no way to break his fasting by tempting food etc.
Clear blue I am not articulate. I just say the first thing that comes to my mind of which I have knowledge! Hence my english looks rather shady. I assure you I don't write professionally like this lol.
Yeah I got that from your posts. Alhumdulilah Allah has blessed me with some insight!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Dear SN, as a mature person who have a license after attending specified number of age, I have to judge before driving if {my fasting, being didn't sleep will, being upset from my GF or wife :), being tiered after making love (In case), didn't eat any thing till now (which is happening a lot during the year some times after sunset)} will effect in my driving or not.
if u still have a dough it's ur right, but it will be strange and wired.
if he is a muslim he is not allowed to have fear of losing money for following the orders of Allah. He must have perfect trust in God (tawakkul) that he will be provided for.
If he is non muslim then this is his problem for not believing and trusting in God. And the oppressors fault for allowing the situation to happen and not stopping himself.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
"Islam doesn't tell you to stop working coz you couldn't fast while working. Its up to the person in the situation to decide, there is always allowances for exceptions. Coz what matters at the end is your intention. So the labourer in ur example can't leave his job coz of his situation and he can't fast in that condition, then he can stop fasting."
But getting caught eating in public, here in Bahrain is 1 year in jail and BD100 fine.
So he has no choice, he cant quit his job,cos he will lose money, so he has to work, and he cant eat cos he may get arrested and jailed, deported and lose his job anyway.
And i think i read somewhere that any fasting missed, must be added to the end of Ramadan, but how, he will still be working outside in the heat ?
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
p.s. no worries I realize it was probably more of a question. I just wanted to make clear what sent clearblue off on a tangent.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
PH as I said...indirectly linked...
maybe a combination of both!
Dear SN, prove it or not?? these accidents will be driving and driver mistake, u r right about percentage goes higher in Ramadan most probably cuz people always have a target to go back early, catching Iftar, etc. but here its the negative human nature in over acting and not fasting. and believe me not every body in same rush.
oh calm down, I'm not trying to change anyones anything, I couldn't give a monkeys about peoples' religion, I simply mentioned the increase in casualties during Ramadan and this being indirectly linked to fasting!
Also I think its statements like your which are completely out of line. As if you are trying to change our religion because of your own beliefs. And that is what clearblueskies was becoming upset about.
Your not really trying to ask what we think about this now are you?
Many people are proven to die from a stampede during hajj as well however you do not see people stopping it in the religion!
Because both are not the result of hajj or fasting. Rather they are the result of reckless people!
Death only comes from Allah Supernurse! So perhaps it is because Allah forgives his servants during this month and causes them to pass away while they are in a state of forgiveness with him?
Allahu Alim
Our birth and death is already predestined by Allah!
However the oppression which comes from workers in the sun is not part of the religion! Regardless of fasting or not.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Talg, your concern is genuine and respected but the fact remains even if you tell these( muslim ) labourers to give up fasting for work, I am 100% sure they are not gonna give it up. The only good the wise beings can do is to be kind to them and provide a healthy environment for work during the period.
True islamic teachings prohibit a muslim putiing his life in danger or damaging his health. If a muslim is advised not to fast by doctor he should not fast otherwise he is committing sin.
It is advised to all muslims to keep a check on health and decide on fasting.
mmm actually, yes it can be proved....or its a bloody coincidence that accidents increase for one month when it happens to be Ramadan...its always a good month for organ donations and that is a fact!!
Can't really prove that its due to fasting supernurse!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
dear tallg, there is no "they have" if they want to make effort and trying to work and to fast, its good for them the effort+ for sure they will cut it if they will die.
Darude answer it right and in one line
if the man choose employment during those time then it is okay! As that will not be oppression.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
ok,ok.....if one looks at the amount of traffic accidents during Ramadan one will find that the incidence goes up quite steeply.....there are therefore indirect deaths to fasting then...non??
clearblue: First of all, I did not suggest any improvement to ur faith at all. What I was doing was askin u to clarify ur remark about someone dying and whther we should think about it only AFTER someone died.
I did not even mention the word 'God' or 'Faith" in my responses. Please do not confuse my responses to your opinions as my response to your relegion.
I do completely agree abt someone's choice to fast or not. But the question here is, is it ok to employ a fasting man/man working in such conditions to fast?
If someone chooses not to employ a fasting man, wont that be seen as discrimination?
I do comment again and always when i feel there is somthing to be add, or when i do understand others point more. so, I would like to make it clear that fasting didn't came to us as an order to be done without using no mind.
about religion it came with a lot alot alot of licens for who ever sick,on travell, any body has medicien to be taken,some spacification for women etc. + a lot of ruls to recover these days through the whole year before next Ramadan + another ruls if they can't fast at all like feading poor people , bla,bla,bla.
finally these people who will not fast part or full of ramadan have same respect in our eyes like who do fasting, cuz they couldn't do it.
about workers no one wants to wait till they die.of course GOD doesn't want these workers to fast if that will make them die. "if", so its the person responsabilty that GOD and islam give to judge it cuz he is the one who will carry the results
the month off with pay, no work gets done anyway. Better, all people get 30 days holiday, paid for by the government....
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
fast if you can and dont if you cant simple.
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yes, shut up all that don't know what they are talking about! Though it aint exactly rocket science is it??!!
However, if I know of a person who oppresses then I would stop giving my money or buying their products if possible.
The issue here is the workers who are in the middle of it though! They are the ones who need to fight it. The Qatari people who dislike it are the ones who need to fight it.
I as an expat have little voice in this regard. And my situation is such that it is better for me to be in this country at the moment.
However, I will definately be avoiding that which is possible for me to avoid should it support such behavior. And again depends on each individuals personal situation.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
But they still have to fast MP, as even non-muslims aren't allowed to eat or drink in public in Qatar.
Thats all the companies would do......Profit before human life.
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
Not everyone's bad. The Shell Pearl GTL project has a flag system. If it's too hot/humid the red flag is raised and all work outside stops. I heard that a couple of weeks ago the red flag was appearing as early as 7am and staying out all day.
jihad is never easy Tallg!
That is why it promotes us to such a high place in heaven.
people are always scared of the consequences particularly when they have little or no faith! However the foundation of islam is to have faith and therefore every ruling is based upon it.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
PH: Agree. There are ways.One solution that is being implemented is havin work done in night/early morning shifts and avoiding any work after 11 am in the morning.
Again, there r quite a lot of industries (like construction)around the world where stopping work completely due to temperature extremes is not a feasible option. Only thing recommendable in such scenarios is to take all the necessary precautions before and while working.
Esp in this part of the world, every single facility you see (whether its a road, a building or a mall) has been made by ppl working in all seasons. Would you keep using them, all the while calling em signs of 'oppression' and makin jihad on em? :-p
Agree PH, but quitting their jobs and fighting for their rights is not something that comes easily in Qatar.
Winn if the workers are muslim then according to Islam their is no relief from the fast! The relief should come form changing the working hours for them!
The oppressors are those who hire workers and give them such horrendous working hours. Knowing full well how dangerous the sun can be.
If those people are not muslim then they should have every right to food and water. And plus should not be made to work is such extreme conditions.
It is up to the workers to quit their jobs and fight for their rights in such a case. To have faith (tawakkul) in God that he will give them sustanence if they should need to do so!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Thats true winn but their are ways of going about it..
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
PH: Can you define who exactly is the oppressor here? Especially if the person has access to refreshments/water.
If, as a non-muslim, I have to keep my mouth shut then I guess our conversation ends here. All I'll say is that you need to be more open-minded to other peoples views and try to understand the difference between discussion/debate and criticism. People are not telling you how to improve your religion or criticising it, they're just expressing a valid concern for people who have no choice but to perform hard work in high temperatures with no water. Most of us don't want to wait until one of them dies before we have our say.
Dont think anybody 'criticised' or 'insisted' here abt fasting. Again, it depends on how you see the concept of debate/discussion and how comfortable you are with it..
If they start fainting then that would be a clear sign for their oppressors to change or they will not get good work done.
And also it is a sin to allow oppression from others! We must make jihad against our oppressors if we can by not allowing them to oppress us!
Being or allowing oppression are one of the major sins.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
fatcat U r Mostly welcome dear :)
clearbluesky:"In extreme cases, incase if you know a labourer who died of fasting, then you have a say."
Going by your argument a concern rises only AFTER someone loses his life?? Ever heard abt something called prevention?
Also as per your reasoning, do laborers fainting at a construction site constitute a scenario with a 'say' for suggestions? Just curious...
tallg his oppressors have a choice. And by making a point that they should have water is ignoring and only a way of bypassing the real problem
Its almost like saying.. oh well their in the heat so we'll just let them break the fast.
Their is no excuse for such oppression. And I wish those poor workers well. And I hope more and more quit to show these oppressors a lesson and God gives them better pay and jobs.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Fair enough PH, but unfortunately they are out in that heat and don't have a choice about it. That's another issue though!
Thanks for discussing it, rather than just telling us to stop "making suggestions".
tallg no one should be outside in the middle of the day in that heat! It is very unislamic! Hence the reasons they don't get off from the fast because of the priority of kindness first.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Well, fasting is faith driven. Where there is a will there is a way.
I am a muslim and I am fasting. I try to abide by fasting rules as prescribed, however, no one is stopping me from drinking a glass of water if I feel thirsty or feable for I will fast again only if I get to live and am healthy.
Here is my day of fast:
wake up at 2:30 am drink some(plenty) water
brush and do ablution. say midnight prayer (about 8 cycles)
Have sahoor (light meal with youghurt) at about 3:30
Goto mosque for fajr prayer and reciet Holy Quran for half an hour
Sleep for two hours before going to office.
At sunset break fast with a date or two and some fruits, drink a some(plenty) water ( sometimes I mix milk with 7up to make up half litre drink) and say sunset prayer.
Eat Iftar at 7 pm
Goto mosque for night prayer and recite Holy Quran for half an hour.
At 9 pm I walk a few kilometers before I sleep.
And I don't feel any weekness or thirst during the day.
As you guessed it might not be my regular schedule but mostly.
Geez you guys are touchy. Suggestions are suggestions, not criticisms, and everyone is entitled to make them. You don't have to accept them, but there's no need to get so defensive and hostile. Just try and explain why the suggestions aren't valid so others can better understand the reason behind things. Telling people to stop making suggestions is just narrow-minded.
Anyway, I think the suggestions are valid. If, for example, athletes and pregnant women can be given special dispensation to not fast then why can't people doing manual labour in 40-50degC temperatures?
in malaysia, i wake up at 4.45AM. have some bread or dates and maybe soy milk. plenty of water. I get hungry starting 2pm. break fast around 7 something.
it's easy for the first few days. gets tougher after that.
well on weekends, i almost don't go to shopping mall, because food is culture for me :)
No probs Fatcat, my comment was directed at you anyways. I'm all for a good thread hijacking! I was just trying to point out to some of the people who commented on here about why they fast that they'd misunderstood my question.
Sorry, tallg, didn't mean to hijack your thread.
As Luciano said above, the point of this thread wasn't to find out WHY Muslims fast (that's been discussed plenty already) but to find out how you can get through the day without eating and how it affects your ability to do everyday tasks.
Hi im 'kinda' new muslim
But from what i learn is, God does not need you or his creation to do anything for him. It is God's command that muslims (that are 'qualified') must fast. Our body belongs do the creator, we are only the manager. Fasting 'for God' may mean doing something that benefits our body physicially/spiritually. Spirituality can be influenced by our physicality, hence Muslims' obsession for cleaning. One of the ways to improve our physical well being is to fast.
But what for? Muslims have been doing things they may or may not know that are scientifically beneficial for them. God use science to create this universe, God uses science to carry His work, science to show His supreme power.
Muslims don't sacrifice to hurt yourself, but rather it is a benefit, in this world and/or after. Scientifically speaking, there are benefits known regarding fasting. There May be more benefits that we do not yet know of.
So hope anyone don't get it wrong. It is not a sacrifice which could hurt us. We must not scald our backs or cut our foreheads like the deviated ones. Muslims are forbidden to self-injure.
I'm glad you clarified it, Luciano. For a moment I thought you did it because of peer pressure, i.e. you mom telling you to do it.
I haven't ever feel it as a punishment, I was always want to go for more specially realizing how my Mother was happy cuz of that.
Dear jessshan, tallg didn't mean why?? because he is mature enough to know it's not of his business, he wondered how we face the fasting generally and in that weather specially, and not wondering about the benefits!!
dear tallg its one of the stuff powered by the believes, even in social wise believing in ur principals allowing u not to miss use ur position at work gaining money or support friends even they are useless at work.+ it came one by one..
I do remember when i was 8 years old my mom used to make me fast for 3 hours(to get the concept of not eating through period of time &fighting for the true of being attracted to the forbidden), then every year little bet more.
I have learned a lot from fasting main thing “sometimes there is something u want to do, and another which is the right to do or u r responsible for, with fasting its easy to learn responsibility to do what u have to do and not what u like"
theren is a spiritual aspect to it that makes it so.outside of ramadhan i cannot do without my coffee and biscuits and toats and so on in the morning, if i did I would not feel well with an empty stomach. However in ramadhan some days i have woken up late and missed the meal altogether and had to fast on an empty stomach. I did not feel it. However when the time came to brak the fast the food tasted even better.even just that glass of water taste ever so good. Gos ordains muslims to fast andhe makes it posssible for us. I remember saying to my wife that in this heat I would not be able to stay with out water since i drink so much of it.i would i get dehydrated and thirsty in ramadhan.But all seems well.
This is from God
Tha depends on the people and not because of fasting. You can see people working in the construction industry fast during this hot summer. Why they are doing this? There is no reward for them in this world. They are doing for the life after death.
So this arrogance during driving is because of individual character.
that is a lovely idea but more appropriate for the bad drivers out there...really aggressive at certain times of the day...
Please Mr. Fat Cat and Mr. Abu....Please dont fight during this Holy month.
adnanmzfr - I'm not religious, hence why I struggle to grasp the concept of doing something for a god. Hope that helps explain my comment.
i-moody - as I said to nicetoonice, no-one is showing disrespect towards your religion here. We're having a discussion about fasting. Some of you seem to be able to find disrespect as soon as a non-muslim even mentions Islam or something related to it.
FAITH...with faith you can do almost anything. It does affect for the few days as your body needs to adapt. BUt later you just get normal..Like I said in one of my previous post, where I got mocked at by a lot of QLers, your body stores excess fat(not the one that render ou obese) in a different form near your liver. When fasting, these excess fat are released back in the body in a different form and thereby giving you energy. But with regards to water...we all do feel thirsty..but Faith is so great we can go on and on because we are hopeful of a bigger reward in our after life. That is our belief and faith.. S please non-Muslim at least show some respect like we respect your religion, think well b4 you want to any thing towards our faith.
tallg, It might not every body concerns to know so, May be :D) u don't care, but I would like to note u as a respectful, moderate and friendly person in both ur posts and in ur comment.
Supernurse sometimes tends to write in the fashion that a doctor writes...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
mmmmm, notice how the converted procrastinate......this is from previous posts......interesting..as I said..like ex smokers...
I thought that you must be aware of all three abrahimic religions as fasting is prescribed there as well, so in that true spirit you must be aware of the logic that muslims fast for the sake of ALLAH only. This is in context of what you said before
" As I expected a lot of people mentioned that the fact they're doing it in the name of Islam/for Allah makes it easier. I'll never be able to understand that , but I guess the closest I can relate to it is when you do something for charity such as a sponsored run or similar..."
This what i meant to say.
Not true adnanmzfr. Just search QL for stories of people being warned and even arrested for drinking/eating in public during Ramandan in Qatar.
I'm not sure I understand your last paragraph. Please elaborate and I'll try to answer.
Tallg non muslims have no retricion to eat in ramadhan in most muslim countries including Qatar. The only thing is that they can only give some repect by not eating so openly but they can certainly eat in offices. This happens here in my office as well, no body fells bad about that and no one bothers & cannot restrict any one.
By the way fasting is there in all abrahimic religions not just in Islam.
Want to mention another fact that you mentioned that you cannot think about the fact that people do it in the name of ALLAH almighty, well can you could have explain how come?.
Although it is the custom of the country nnot to allow eating and drinking in public in Ramadan there are many local people who do not see the need for this. In my house and office, people are free to eat and drink as normal.
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perfectly said..
perfectly said...
I don't understand why you brought up people criticising Islam when no-one had done so. It's like you're deliberately trying to start an argument or something.
Thank you tallg for uderstanding... Friendly discussion can remove the misconcepts....
Ok, good point, it is the custom of the country.
In which case, I don't think anyone is criticising Islam. This has been a good discussion about fasting.
Tallg ... This is the custom of the country ....It is upto you to criticise the country's custom.... Nothing to do with Islam.
Islam never asked non believers to stay away from food during ramadan but to muslims. Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink in public even he is not fasting(due to illness/travelling/or any permitted reasons)
So please stop criticising islam.
For me, even you eat infront of me, nothing will change. The fasting is not only keeping away from food, also gives strength to control the mind... I never asked any of the non muslim in my office to hide food and drink. I told them only while Qatari people are there or in public as it may feel them as an insult to them as well as their country. We have to respect the regional customs.
we were in egypt for 2 years before coming here. in my wife's office, the egyptians told her that she had to continue eating and drinking as normal, and they would bring her her morning coffee. for them it was not as much of a sacrifice if everyone around them had to hide their food and drink.
___________________________________________
"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I
With all due respect nicetoonice, we do have the right to criticise because the month of Ramadan affects non-muslims as well. We aren't allowed to eat or drink in public.
To MR. PAUL.... about your concern
"Could some of these scholars get to gether and maybe make an exception for these labours in the name of humanity ?"
The rules in islam is directed by Almighty Allah. You don't have any right to change it as per your requirement or desire.
In Holy Qur'an, Almighty Allah says, The fasting is made compulsory on you as it was for the generations before you.
Whoever changed the rules of Almighty Allah, they changed their way of life and went far from the true path. The Almighty Allah, who created the universe and everything in it, He better knows the ability of his creations thus He ordered something to them. The life here is a test bed for the human. If you have the strong faith and will, you can be the winner....If you fell on satan's play, thats all...no one can help you.
For those who questioned, how your fasting will help the people in Africa... Very simple..... Think in this way, When some one dies, we offer our condolence to the relatives of deceased.. How it helps them, will it bring back the dead to alive??? Still we visit them and pay our condolences.. Which makes them feel better....
The sameway...
Your fasting will not bring food/drink to them, but you feel the pain/agony of them and you will pray for them and thank to Almighty for giving the richness of life. Thats What Almighty wanted... You should be Thankful to HIM always...
After all, those irritated with the acts/rules in Islam, please try to understand.. The muslim community is doing all this for the sake of Almighty Allah and for His Blessing. No way it going to hurt you... By praying five times, nothing looses from you, By fasting nothing looses from you.... If you don't like don't accept, but you don't have the right to criticise ...please.
Thank you everyone for your answers (and for just about keeping it civil!). I enjoyed reading everyone's take on it and found it interesting that some people say it doesn't affect their ability to perform their daily tasks while others say it does.
As I expected a lot of people mentioned that the fact they're doing it in the name of Islam/for Allah makes it easier. I'll never be able to understand that, but I guess the closest I can relate to it is when you do something for charity such as a sponsored run or similar, and it's the thought of what you're doing it for that helps you through the pain barriers and keeps you going to the end.
Anyway, respect to you all and Ramadan Kareem.
one of the main motives of fasting is to give a chance to the people the feeling of hungry, the feeling of thurst, which we normally don't know. As, we say EXPERIENCE is the best TEACHER, the experience of having hours without food and water will give a chance to think about the thousands of people around the world, without having suffecient food or water. Fasting is not only the abstain from food, but surely abstain wrong doings by EYES, EARS, TONGUE, MIND.....A person can never get the benefit of fasting, unless he abstain from all the wrong doings.
:O
i never knew that....lolz
came up on here and it reminded me of when my eldest son was in 2nd grade. There was this Muslim girl in his class and during Ramadan, she fasted, but at lunchtime, when everyone else went to the cafeteria, (I will never forget this because it broke my heart...)her parents had her stay in the classroom and she cried for the entire lunchtime. This went on every day for a month.
Naokal is a bit right in that Muslim who live in other lands don't have the advantage of not having people eat or drink in front of them.
So, Abu...if I start drinking my water in my car again and I get in trouble...I'll just tell them to call you so you can explain it was you that said I could. Thanks!!!
its a great feeling.why u take intrest in it.would u wana change ur region to islam
I am a british muslim, and have fasted in the variation of the timings, winter being great...
Personally I think that muslims in the middle east r spoilt, with shorter working hrs and people not allowed to eat in public, i understand that it is an islamic state. But in the Uk people get on with it, and its your will power and faith that allow you to fast.
I appreciate the way the working hrs are shortened and everything, but I do believe that we should get on with normal routine whilst fasting...
I feel the same that the first couple of days are harder then your body gets used to it, and again it takes time to readapt (if thats a word!) once ramadam has finished...
May Allah accept fasts from all of those fasting...
Tallg this is a very good question. It is indeed very difficult when i do engineering calculations by staying hungry all the day but it is all in the name ALLAH. I feel depressed, home sick and feel that i can collapse any time. Even today i had my overtime but i had to do the job with fasting.
When i was in USA working there i used to stand 4 hours long continously during fasting to prepare the drawings wihtout saying anything to my supervisor who also knew that i was the only muslim in the office and is fasting, this is how the things can go.
It is not impossible i mean but is very diffcult indeed. We muslims have to go for it to gain the blessings of ALLAH almighty.
I converted many years ago and I remember the first year it was quite difficult, cos i would be thinking the whole day NO FOOD - NO WATER. So I was really concentrating on that part. Now the first day at Fajr prayers I vow that I will be fasting for the whole month. and basically my mind is not thinking about eating or drinking anymore and the result is is that fasting is so much easier. Like an accepted fact. My brain is now "programmed" not to expect food or water. Even when it is MagrebI still do not feel hungry. I do miss my cups of tea and that is what I have. Eating usually comes much later, like I just now had a sandwich and it is 9.30pm.
Also for those who are working in the heat, it is important that you drink a lot during the time you are allowed to eat & drink. Double the dose of liquid intake. It is allowed to rinse your mouth with water during your fast, as long as you spit it out. To rinse your mouth when you are thirsty is just as refreshing as drinking the water.
And yes, fasting is all about will power, about reminding ourselves about the hardships others have, when they have to go without food. Only we are luckier than many more in this world cos we do have food at the end of our daily fast & during Ramadan we do a lot more praying, including for those who are not so lucky to have food.
Also in Ramadan we spend a lot more on charity, we either feed the poor or give money for food.
And all of this we do because our faith tells us to do it, and because of that we do it without difficulty, sometimes it does ask of our willpower, and yes sometimes our brains do not function 100%, but all of this we do & we do it with a good feeling cos it makes us stronger.
Aisha-Taweela
...obviously can't comprehend us young cool hip folk!
...dats rite aint it ma grl Salma!
;)
Second that tall man. I also pass over Salma's cmments because I can't be bothered to decipher them.
Salma, please write in plain longhand English!
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LOL, tallg.
But you are right... I'm guilty of hardly ever reading her comments... I can't understand them and they make me feel old! :)
lol QT!
Salmamohd - on a couple of occasions I've wanted to reply to you because I think you've said something interesting, but I'm never quite sure whether I've understood you properly. Must be a sign that I'm getting old! I think a lot of people probably pass over your comments because they induce headaches!
fish don't drink water, they breathe water.
FISH :O
PH, I am unaware of a religion which states its members should drink like a fish...
lolz...QT
Well just read it once more ull understand:)
salamuwalaikum every body
in my point of view fasting is very good. i feel really great when i am fasting, my friend who is a christian he is living with me he is also fasting from the first of Ramadan as we do, he is saying that it is very good thing i feel good while fasting while i do not eat food and drink water it doesn't matter.
but it makes me little slow in the day time.
For the record, I do apologize. I thought "to the likes of you" meant that unlike me, you do not show off.
That's the problem when English is not your first language ;)
Typical Abu American! Hubby developed some sort of ambulance service and one of the other doctors starting moaning about diabetic patients fasting during ramadan and how it was such a hassle.
He became so defensive because diabetic patients muslim and not muslim can have fits at anytime of the year regardless of fasting or not. And come on, it really is very very few in number who have any complications.
And why not moan about the 20 cases a day when people are taken to hospital and wasting precious nhs dollars because of alcohol assumption! Its part of their religion to drink like fishes so it makes it okay I guess.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
...knw wats u rite-in girl n stil khant wrk it out!
:)
AbuAmerican:
"My charity is between me and Allah and I don't do it to showboat to the likes of you"
I do apologize if I misunderstood you. If I did, please explain to me exactly what you meant by that.
PH, I totally respect that.
:)
Cooool down guys.
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well its just normal for me coz n e how i don have much n ma daily routine but ya at tyms i need coffee n all but dats ok....n e ways just try it once ull feel better...
Well MD that is why I got defensive about Oryx's post!
But anyway.. fatcat we fast so that we can remember and feel (even if it is for a small amount of time) what it feels like not to have food and water. How many times do we as people forget the woes of others and submerse ourselves in the joys of this world. Sure we feel for them but that is only when we hear or see them. Fasting allows us to feel for them for at least 1 month out of the year and reminds us to Thank Allah for everything he has given us.
What could be more beautiful then humbling ourselves in prayer, thanks, thinking about and giving to others?
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
First, I did not say you do not do charity, because it is none of my business if you do it or not. Second, I just stated my opinion on something you wrote, i.e. you said that there are people in Africa starving and I said I do not see how one person fasting here does help them unless that person donates them that money.
Then you jumped the gun and said I show off when I do charity... Great, if this is what your God thinks is right, i.e. to judge people without even knowing them, then I rest my case.
when i am at work.. and busy.. i usually end up skipping my lunch.. and for my breakfast... i miss it everyday... guess its d mind that does it or somethin...
lol. Abu. The thread was directed to "my fasting friends". Anybody who doesn't fast is in the "wrong" thread.
i am off to watch the footie...
by i agree i am blessed to be born into a society that could feed and educate me so I should appreciate that...
being dehydrated and feeling horrible isnt going to help anyone..
i like that 'uppity oryx'... dont forget to use that when i step out of line!
PH, if you are unable to fast is the key word. I'm sorry, it still does not mean that by not eating, someone back in Africa will feel better or have something to eat...
Actually fatcat part of ramadan and eid is feeding the poor who have nothing! For instance if we are unable to fast we need to feed people for the days we miss.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
but your health is at risk if you dont drink water and i have low iron levels... I get dizzy really quickly if i am dehydrated...and i for one need all my wits when i am driving...
as for africa... well you are right.. i have travelled a lot there...and i basically due to malnutrition people dont operate at their full potential always.
Oryx, I think she was trying to say "I'm sorry" to you.
AbuAmerican, the Africans who are starving(btw not all Africans are starving) are not healthy and I do not see how me not drinking water nor eating during the day could possibly help them!
I'd respect what you wrote only if you told me that what you don't spend on food during Ramadan was donated to the starving Africans.
Now oryx don't get all uppity about it! I am naturally defensive when it sounds like someone is trying to degrade the beauty of fasting! Perhaps you didn't mean it as it came out and to be fair I should have overlooked it and questioned the attitude behind before taking offense. It can be difficult to interpret a persons intention behind posts at times.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
never mind.....
Converted to what? You ain't fasting!!
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
a merry can muslim......very newly converted....like an ex smoker......
Sn, no objection to that... It is just strange and hence my previous post that you find it ground breaking or perhaps interesting enough ti share it with us...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
a merry can muslim, not quite but I'll let you know which hand I don't use to wipe my bum......
No, its not right to be nil by mouth like that lol, the way I look at it, I'm not fasting nor do I understand the concept. Therefore, if I feel my health is at risk from not drinking or eating for long periods because I've been put in a situation like this then hell, I'll eat and drink!
SN... next you will be posting after each of your bowel movements?
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
I felt sick on Wed - i was out 8-2 nil by mouth.. rushing around Doha - didn't feel right till Friday morning.....
absolutely......I only did what was natural...thirsty? Then Drink.....
I had a sneaky drink of water in my car yesterday.....I tried to be discreet....I was dehydrated and I needed fluids so I drank...simple..
SN, The scholars have stated that they follow a schedule of the nearest place that has a true sunset and sunrise...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
you dont even live here... I do!
a question was asked and I answered...
quite a few live upside down days here...
thats the truth - if you dont like that then dont shoot the messenger.
how about muslims in the North Pole where the sun never sets....now that must be a bloody killer!!!
no point in fasting if you do it that way IMHO.
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last year i was in saudi.many friends of mine who were fasting sleep whole day and eat whole night.and say they gain weight during ramadan.
Tall, good question. Usually during the day I drink lots of fluids so sometimes I don't quite know how I do it in Ramadan. With the help of Allah is how I get through the day :) My spirituality increases and I feel close to Allah and get a sense of those who have to live without enough nutrition. Sometimes it's not easy, if I get headaches and feel very lethargic I try to take it down a gear. I'm lucky in that I work in the AC.
Generally Ramadan is low key for me. I eat a little less and drink a lot less than normal. Not much change really from daily life except meal timings...breakfast at 3:30am (smoothie and slice of toast), Iftar at sunset (a date and a sip of laban, soup and salad, I try to drink fluids), dinner 8ish (regular dinner meal)
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To be honest, initially I felt uneasy about the fact that 9 or 10 years old are fasting. I thought may be their parents are over zealous or something on these lines. But after a few days of careful observation and talking to a few friends about this, I came to the conclusion that it is not wrong. Anyways it is not affecting their concentration.
It is really hard specially for people like me,i have embraced Islam 3 years ago. But still on the early days or weeks of Ramadan i am having headaches and dizziness starting at 9am. The only good thing is that our company allows us Muslim employee to go home at 12nn.But when you think that all what you do is for God,all pains and temptation will be gone in no time at all..
For us who works most of our time in an airconditioned room,still we feel the hardship of fasting..What about those who works under direct sunlight? Allah bless them!
When we came here our kids were in Grade 2 and 5. Our 5th grader was just beginning to fast partial days, on weekends. I was surprised at the peer pressure she got for not fasting. She was the only Muslim kid in her class who wasn't fasting.
It varies from family to family. Lots of kids WANT to fast, to emulate the others.
Now I really have to go! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
"Do most people go back to bed after suhoor?"
My hubby doesn't get up for Suhoor, never has. Don't know how he does it! Doesn't even eat very much after Iftar meal, maybe just some sweets and/or fruit. So his next real meal isn't until next Iftar.
My kids get up for Suhoor, go back to bed, then get up for school. Yesterday (Fri) I noticed my son didn't get up for Suhoor. He said he likes a challenge! He's a teenager, so I think sometimes it's a tough choice between food and sleep, lol!
Now I'm off to the kitchen for the finishing touches before the cannon goes off...
Surely it's not healthy for a growing 9 year-old to be fasting for a month? Children are exempt from fasting so why are they doing it?
I work in a school and there are many children fasting. While non-fasting kids eat their lunch, those who are fasting leave the classroom and go to some area specially designated for them. Since some of them are as small as 9 years old I am appalled at their will power and enthusiasm. Not all muslim kids are fasting though, and those who are - I don't find any change in their participation in the class. The feeling of devotion towards God makes one strong willed, that's the lesson I learned from these kids.
I too have always felt that asking non-muslims to not eat and drink is a bit unfair. Where is the sacrifice when u dont even see food, dont let others have food, keep the restaurants closed, then work half day and go home?
I remember fasting back home, those who were not fasting were going on as usual while we had to refrain, work full time and do all regular chores in addition to finding extra time for prayers.
although the nights in the gulf are more fulfilling than back home, with the prayers.
and yes, 'some' DO sleep the whole day and enjoy the nights out during ramadhan. although i wudnt call it fasting in its true sense, maybe starving?
---Life is Fragile, Handle With Prayer---
Yes you're right a merry can muslim, the further away from the equator you go the more the daylight hours change throughout the year. However, I was using the UK as an example.
Interesting to know that the fasting time is so much longer than the visible-sun time. I thought it was all about when the sun appeared and disappeared. Oh well, every day's a school day!
Qatari - good point about being busy, but I certainly wouldn't trust myself driving if I hadn't eaten or drunk anything for several hours! And as for the spiritual thing, I obviously wouldn't have that advantage (and will never understand it either, but that's not for discussion here!)
thos workers who are not allowed to drink water during the day in 40+ weather. I understand the BASIS behind it but seriously...the human body needs to be hydrated when you are sweating out fluid than you are putting in. I just hope in those instances its not a forced fasting of liquids but up to the individual.
Someone said that most folks don't work out in the heat but in the airconditioning..if that is so then no, there isn't much of a problem with the no liquids...I'm not one of those though, so when I come home from the shelter, I have to admit to being a bit irritated that I can't drink water on the way home, which is about a 45 minute drive. And yes, I do drink a lot of water while there, but it takes more to rehydrate what is lost in the 3 hours I am out in the sun and heat dog walking or doing manual labor. I always believed fasting is an individual sacrifice and that even if you see someone eating in front of you, if you truly believe in what you are doing, then it won't affect your dedication. Forcing others to do what you do, simply because it makes it easier for you, rather defeats the purpose, in my eyes.
PH...I don't think Oryx meant anything by what she said. I know many Muslims that do the same thing during Ramadan, if their lives allow.
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
That could be true for London Tall G... But on the certain parts of the continent the hours are much longer.
As for starting the fast it is before the actual sunset. We stop eating when the white strip is visible on the bottom of the horizon.
So in Brum the sunrise right now is about 0625 but we stop eating at about 0500
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
- if you're planning to give it ago, I'd suggest you do it on a day you're busy! being occupied makes the time fly by... as opposed to sitting and staring at the clock!
- you're right about the times in UK. In summer you're fasting for crazy hours and in winter fantastic ones :-)
Of course, everyone else is right saying that it isn't just physical - there is definately a spiritual component to it.
a merry can muslim - I thought sunset and sunrise dictated the fasting time, which taking June 21st this year in London would be 0443 -> 2122 = 16h38m. Do the prayer times not coincide with the sun?
Exactly why I am trying to stay way from it supernurse! Too much salt can be a bad thing!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
research has shown that one does not need an additional salt intake....
Tall G,
I don't see it as weird but I could see how someone who fasted their whole life in a place with a fixed schedule would find it strange.
It will actually be more than 17 hours when Ramadhaan coincides with June and July.
Fajr comes in at about 0300 to 0330 and the sun does not set until about 2200.
When you take into consideration that 'Ishaa come is about 90 minutes after Maghrib and the Taraweeh prayers ten to last atleast an hour.... Long days to come!
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
MP,
There is a provision for them depending on their intention. But I personally believe that most of them would not utilize it....
Fasting is not obligatory upon the traveller (one in the mode of traveling as well as the one who is in a place but with the intention of not staying permanantly) but they would have to make up the missed days before the start of the next month of Ramadhaan.
Verily Islaam is a religion of ease and not hardship...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
I don't break my fast until 7:30 pm here in the states. I just went to bali though and didn't fast due to travel but noticed the sun going down a bit later.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
It must be weird in countries like the UK where daylight hours change so much during the year. So Ramadan during the height of summer means fasting for nearly 17 hours, while Ramadan during winter means fasting for less than 8 hours.
(Qatar is a bit more consistent, with daylight hours varying from between ~10 and a half and 13 and a half hours)
Fatcat
Seemed like she was trying to put a bit of salt in the ribena to me.
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Could some of these scholars get to gether and maybe make an exception for these labours in the name of humanity ?
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
and that gift is self control and patience... On a normal day you would get hungry and thirsty for sure and especially if you come home at 1 in the afternoon, you would grab a bottle of chilled water and gulp down a pint but in Ramadan, I come home from work when it is 45 degrees outside and my car is like an oven parked outside in the sun and still after coming home, I don't feel dehydrated or sick or sun stroke or heat stroke or whatever.. This is a miracle from Allah or what else..
PH, in Qatar the working hours are turned upside down. A lot of people will work only 6 hours a day, so it's easy to just sleep the rest of the day to cope with the fast. The roads are nice and empty during Ramadan, proof that a lot of people are not working as usual.
I don't think Oryx was being rude, she was being realistic.
In answer to your question 'how does it affect your ability to perform tasks' the answer is drastically.
I work on a large jobsite with many muslim people and two days into Ramadan they might as well not be there.
Before anyone comes back with any remark this is not having a dig at them, most of them are quite good guys on my site.
just eat another pie
Fasting in Islam is total abstain from Eat and drink from dawn to dusk. People from non arab countries where there is no reduced working hours also fast whole month while they do their routine job. As some one said, it is sacrifice in the path of faith. I feel too hungry by 10 am when I miss breakfast in the morning on normal days. But when I fast, no such feeling comes into my mind. When you do something in dedication, your mind is storng and the WILL will strengthen your body to stand against all temptations.
Mr. Paul, there is no option to have water during fasting. You can even fast with light food at early hours(suhoor)like dates.
Tall G,
I actually fasted as a non Muslim (about 7 or 8 months before I became a Muslim) for the month of Ramadhaan back in the winter of 2000.
Yes it was difficult the first few days as Qatari said but after that it was more difficult not putting food or drink in your mouth out of habit.
I must admit though with that particular Ramadhaan falling during the month of January (in Germany) the hours were a little bit easy. I think we could eat up until bout 0700 and we were breaking the fast at like 1630ish...
They call it the American dream because you have to be asleep to see it... --George Carlin
and have to work outside all day, with no food or water...Surely there must be a way to allow them to drink water at least....
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
with the assistance of my friends Losec & Motilium...;)
I have lite iftar as i go to the gym 2hours later.
I don't take caffeine or juices, but plenty of water.
I have suhoor early at 10:30-11:00pm
.not taking liquid for hours in humid hot summer,
.
.that's sacrifice....
.
.
in this climate and region of the world, does strike me as odd.
In a cool climate like the UK, dehydration shouldnt be a problem, but out here.....
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NIL ILLEGITIMI CARBORUNDUM
then that's it...
If I feel the hunger pangs, I go hide in the pantry for my fruit juice or a fruit. And since my work ends by 3pm, I sleep till 6pm ...
I just hope i could lose down to my desired weight :-)
Thanks for the answers. Keep them coming. One other question; Do most people go back to bed after suhoor?
Oh so you were just being rude then? forgive me for being straight but it doesn't seem very fair to make remarks based on a few of your friends now does it!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Not me PH thats what some of my chums do...
I am sorry i dont agree with depriving yourself of liquid esp in the desert...
I feel the same way American. Fasting helps me break up my normal routine and I find myself doing things that I've been to lazy to get done. Like reading that dry book thats been on my shelf for a year, more prayers, shopping, cleaning the house, and even spending more quality time with the children.
Gee Oryx wish I could sleep as much as you do!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
In my case, i did a bit of preparation before like changing my meal time slowly. Like having my dinner as late a spossible like midnight. So now, I only have to make my last meal in the evening later. Then once you get busy with work, time passes and before i knew it, its ifhtar time. It is usual for me to skip lunch ---the only thing is the coffee and water in between. The main issue making it possible is the reason and your intention.
Hi my friend ( ;
I feel great to give my stomach a rest, ofcourse I feel hungry in my last 2 or three hours, but our bodies were designed to accept whatever we do regularly...& when I remember the medical benefits from fasting i feel great.
I've searched on google about the "benefits of fasting+islam"... I think you can find something interesting to read.
Best wishes ( :
________________________
Life is sweet ( :
no pains
if any break the fasting
Sleep all day... wake up at 4.30pm have a shower... get dressed...ready for iftar..
It is very easy when one does it with sincerity rather than just habit. I can't really explain it but I also find it difficult to go without food for more than a few hours especially while pregnant. However when I fast for Allah it is so easy! If I do feel hungry I think about all those people who have no choice and thank God that he gave me a choice not to eat even though he has given me plenty.
I always make sure I eat something heavy for suhoor and at least 1 pint or more of water. I eat lightly when breaking my fast for iftar and drink at least 1.5 litres of water.
Alhumdulilah I find it easy as long as I am well and able to do so. Although it becomes impossible if I am flying because of dehydration.
And it helps to have other muslims around doing the same thing too!
Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi
Perhaps I'll give it a go one day, though I'll make sure it's an "easy" day - i.e. just sitting at home working. Nothing too taxing like driving!
It normally takes my body a couple of days to adjust to the new blood-sugar levels but once it has, the lack of water and food doesn't really affect you. For those first few days some people are a bit more cranky and have a few headaches...
Otherwise, life goes on as normal...
Strangely, if I miss breakfast when not fasting I'm falling apart by 11am. When fasting, no probs!
"enjoy that peaceful feeling in life" is not what i sense when driving in Doha, either!
It seams to me that a lot of people are missing the point that they think they are following!
Thanks jessshan, I'm aware of the reason for fasting. And "Enthusiastically" is definitely not the word I'd use to describe the attitude of some of the people I've seen working while fasting!!!
Fasting is an obligation for all people who follow islam. It has been mentioned in Holy Quran "Fasting has been made obligatory to you as it was made obligatory for your forepeople and this is in order to devolop THAQWA(Luv and Fear for God).
Therefore ultimate purpose of fasting is not abstaining from food alone, but abstaining from all wrong doings and its purpose is to devolop THAQWA.
We will not feel hunger or restless when we do fasting but enjoy that peaceful feeling in life.
It will in no way affect our day to day task instead we can perform more Enthusiastically.