Any muslims? I have some questions

[Doctordestiny]

I figure there may be some muslims here.

What is ramadam (sp?)? Why the requirement to have no food during certain hours, also no sex?

Are there muslims who are more strict in their observance?

I know of a muslim who stays in a room with the door closed until 6 p.m. during ramadam. Is he praying? What's going on?

I'm just curious about the faith and though some knowledgeable folks here might be able to answer some questions.

[OILFAN #81]

Here's information on it:

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

[ricosuave]

I love that song! Oh, black betty, ramadan, oh, black betty...

[Thor]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I love that song! Oh, black betty, ramadan, oh, black betty...

ROFL

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I love that song! Oh, black betty, ramadan, oh, black betty...

Hahaha, I lol'd.

Some of my friends are doing this. I don't even know exactly what it's about.

[flip]

Just to make it a little easier here's the jist of it.

Most muslims I know follow it pretty closely but some cheat occasionally because it is hard. (sort of like Lent where you give something up for 40 days)

Ramadan or Ramazan (Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, believed to be the month in which the Qur'an was revealed to Angel Gabriel, to deliver it to Prophet Muhammad. It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance into the future, ask for help in refraining from everyday evils and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I love that song! Oh, black betty, ramadan, oh, black betty...

That is the greatest response I've ever read!

[Barnes]

We were challenged by a co-worker to do it for one day. I made it almost halfway to the bus stop before I lit a smoke. I was the Kramer of that bet.

[Devils'Advocate]

As flip mentioned, Ramadan is to teach patience, sacrifice and humility. As it was explained to me, it gives perspective on what it is like to be so poor as to not have clean water to drink and food to eat. But it also to serve as a cleansing of the spirit and thus no sex between dawn and dusk, no smoking, no lying, etc, etc.

If you do have sex during the day, then you must either choose to continue Ramadan for extra 60 days *OR* feed 60 impoverished people a meal. Or, release one of your slaves.

As for whether some cheat... well, sure. I know some Muslims that are alcoholics. I was told of a sheik that flew to northern Sweden for Ramadan (shorter days).

[worth]

Try practicing and playing football while fasting for Ramadan:

http://calsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Footba...31681-sun.html

[mykalberta]

Personally, people of different parts of the world have different customs. Its usually best to not interfere. So long as it doesnt negatively affect you (like at work or whatever) just let people do what they do.

I am sure there are alot of budists and sikhs and muslims who think is weird that December 25 is a holiday.

Also, while the song post was funny to me, the OP was asking serious questions. Who would post serious answers and or personal experiences in a thread where the 3rd post can be seen as making fun of them - just IMO of course.

While I dont respect certain people who say they practice that faith, many do and while currently its not popular over here to do so, they should be given the same respect as others are so long as their beliefs are not negatively affecting the rest of us - many on CP are atheists, we respect your right not to believe in faith, please do the same for those of us who do (I at least promise not to cram my beliefs down your throat).

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I love that song! Oh, black betty, ramadan, oh, black betty...

that has got to be the response of the year!!!
staff staring at me, while i laugh out loud, when everything is quiet in the office.
that was priceless!!
recommending you for red square on that one!!!

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I love that song! Oh, black betty, ramadan, oh, black betty...

Or as per John Mccain: "Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran, Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran"








(sing to the tune of Beach Boys, Barbara Ann)

[Russic]

My wife has a hard time with Ramadan as a teacher because she can't bribe her students with candy.

[Cawz]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

As flip mentioned, Ramadan is to teach patience, sacrifice and humility.

I thought thats what marriage did.