What does Ramadan mean to you?

am a non muslim. Yet!! Ramadan time!! For me this particular period means... dad and mom are going to be back early from office and ‘d spend more time with me …

it also means… the Arabic lady next door is going beckon us kids (me and her children) to feast upon her amazing delicacies which she carefully prepares only during Ramadan evenings…

Finally we agreed on something. A good start.

Awaiting food fiesta.

Guys still about 40 days for Ramadan at least leave something till then.

You may also address him as SL. Does that ring a bell?

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1200 QL Points!!!

Yay! Way to go Ray!

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www.e4u.name.qa

Ramadan means alot to me , its the month I feel comfortable and clean. its the month that unites Muslims. I cannot express my love to ramadan in words . I look forward to meeting this blessed month. insha allah

Blessed are the geeks, for they shall Internet the earth!

Apple sway away from the topic for this one?

How you kill the time during Ramadan. May be you should open a new thread for this purpose. I think the exchange of informations on this will be really helpfull.

Good boy!:)

Then tell your wife to note my invitation for Eid-dinner? and pls. as i said to you earlier kindly remind me for that thru PM?

Now, back to topic---->Ramadhan!

Who wants alchol. Infact after 1 month free of alchol. 1 day won't make a difference. you can call me anything you like Apple.

Yep! sure w/ your wife too, Inshállah! I hope i will still be lucky to reach the month of Ramadhan till Eid!

Please remind me later, but in one condition..a dinner without Alcohol?

P/S

Why your username is too long? Can i just call you ChaSan?

Apple then r v invited for Eid dinner this year on your account????????

The fourth pillar of Islam, which is fasting, is practiced during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat and sun-scorched ground. (in Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) – or Ramzan in several countries – and it is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, established in the year 638 CE. It is considered the most venerated, blessed and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year. Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month. God prescribes daily fasting for all able, adult Muslims during the whole month of Ramadan, beginning with the sighting of the new moon.

"Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation."[2:185]

The most holy night during the Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power). It has more blessing than a thousand months. the Quran Chapter 97

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Ramadan is the wholiest month of the Islamic year...Its an opportunity to get closer to god and ask for forgivness of all sins committed throughout the year. I think we all get hung up on abstaining from food b/c it is hard to do...but when u do abstain from food it really makes u appreciate the simple pleasures in life which is food and how a lot of people in this world dont even have that pleasure...hence why muslims are required to donate a lot of money to people who dont have money to eat.

plus it really brings families together and in our family its the only time we really get a chance to eat together at the same time as a family...

When i was a kid, like 10yr. old, in Philippines, im always excited when Ramadhan is nearly approaching..lots of foods during Iftar! and i cried the next day when my mom forgot to woke me up for Suhoor.

During Eid, there must be new dress for me:), we visited families, relatives and friends on Eid and they gave me money(being a kid), and was soooo happy!

My parents also prepare some great foods during Eid for our visitors. Some people who had a fight during the previous year became friends and forgot those troubles they had. I also noticed people are less talking, which i couldn't understand why? Till i grown up and learned the basic teachings in Islam. then i understand what Ramadhan means for us?

When i reached my age like a teenager, Me and my cousins and friends used to attend some Islamic seminars/lectures in one of the conference hall in my town during Ramadhan. There is always a Qurán reading competition conducted in our town every Ramadhan.

In the Philippines, ALL restaurants and cafe shops are open, the work timing hours still the same even if you are Muslims, unlike here in Middle East.

How i miss my Ramadhan in Philippines?:((((

I wish i could be with my parents and families this Ramadhan, but i have great more responsibilities to spend my ramadhan here in Doha and he is my family too!

In North America a muslim student studying on a freezing night of Ramadan

Sad, alone, thinking all night whether to fast or not. The only one to get up at 5:00 am in a university residence of 100 people. Thinking what to eat at suhoor, big question, where to get good from at 5:00 am. Go scavenging for food in wintry and freezing nights. No one to tell you what to do. Cant tell professor that this is the month of ramadan. So i cannot spend the whole evening in the lab, have to go and break my fast. People wondering why he does not come for lunch.

But those were the good old days no worries, just studying and experimenting. professor giving fixed stipend, if lucky you might get a scholarship.

For me as a non-muslim, try to follow the culture of other people adjust to it accordingly and follow the culture as as much as I can although in a way I am forced to it.

cleanse my sins from the previous year. Ramadan means for me to get a chance to feel closer to Allah. and doing good deeds. unfortunately i see a lot of Muslims forgetting the religious significance of Ramadan(ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down in). many treat it as a month of partying and staying up watching late night TV while eating loads of food and gaining loads of weight. Ramadan is NOT a month of leisure. it is a month that is meant to be spent in worship towards the the creator (Allah)

YOUR RIGHT .

this is stupid. i didnt use any foul language

Hacker at work???????????

ALL filtered words???

You did not complete the story. Also eating triple amount at night :D

Have you been in Doha or Middle East, last year Ramadhan? :)

for me... it means purification of my heart, maintenance of my soul, repentance of my sins, forgiving people who hurt me, and most of all remembrance of my creator!

on the street from 7am to 6pm..... all store is closed that time...

and it will open at night.... ( correct me if im wrong ).

smile,

endurance and tolerance to the real meaning of fasting and praying. I did fast during Ramadan of 2003 with my Qatari & Indonesian friends. I have not yet done praying like them though I go with them to the mosque everytime I am with them and they need to pray.

Ramadan is not really a bad thing actually, I do fasting as a Catholic during our Holy Week. Personally, in some way, I felt it cleanses my soul to whatever sins (big or small ) I made.

It is my personal belief.

Cheers!

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"I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone, I never find a companionable solitude"

not at all, owen! it's my first ramadan here too, so i'm quite curious as well to hear ppl's thoughts. :)

Hey Then how can you comsume alchol on last friday until u were malu? Haram right?

It means no alcohol and no morning fun with your partner :P

Really sad to hear about your plight during Ramadan. Maybe you should try to experience it from a muslim's point of view!

To me it means a lot. 30 days of fasting with lots of prayers then eagerly waiting for Eid. Iftars and get togethers with family & friends. Less work hours. Late nite drives and at times keeping up until morning Suhoor. All the shops and restaurants are open way into the night. The city has a very different feel and brand new look after the sun sets.

I am really looking forward to Ramadan this year, like every other year. :)

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1200 QL Points!!!

Yay! Way to go Ray!

-----------------------------------------

www.e4u.name.qa

this will be my first time to experience Ramadan here in Qatar, so, im looking for inputs here as well..(hope you don't mind shabina921)..

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Ramadan is the time to feel lonely, when all the friends and families are having fun together, while you are eating alone, a tasteless iftar that you had to prepare in a rush after returning from work...Indeed Ramadan in Doha is the crulest, coldest and most sad month in the year...oh my god am having my annual ramadan blues already :((((