Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
What do you say? |
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BrKhalid |
12/11/00 at 04:25:43 |
Asalaamu Alaikum I was speaking to a young Muslim boy of 10 or so a week ago who was fasting for the first time this Ramadhan. He was telling me how hungry he was during the day and I can imagine how he must have looked forward to his Iftar each night. What got me thinking though was, how for me, the lack of food does not mean as much as it once did. You feel hungry for sure but it doesn't affect you as much as it did when you were younger. With time you get used to the lack of food and if I'm anything to go by you feel the after effects of lack of sleep a lot more than the not eating!!! What I wanted to ask you all though (yes there was a reason I was rambling on) was what do you tell non-muslims when they ask you the annual "But don't you get hungry/thirsty?" line As an aside at what age did you start fasting and if you were parents at what age would you get your child to start? Would you make them keep all 30 days or give them some time to get used to it? Oh and one final question (yes I know but it is my first thread so indulge me :)) What ONE thing (you're only allowed to choose one) do you miss most when Ramadhan passes? And if you're wondering why I posted this in the British section, it was just a callous ploy on my part to actually get some people in here!!! |
Re: What do you say? |
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jannah |
12/13/00 at 00:23:38 |
slm, When talking about fasting I always try to add in the fact that pregnant, nursing, traveling, sick ppl etc don't have to fast. This makes Islam seem more rational in their eyes.. which it is. Duh so many of my co-workers think Islam is crazy to "force" ppl to do this, so I keep trying to explain it is part of the religion to enhance spirituality, feel what others feel etc and that those that have an excuse don't have to. when they ask don't you get hungry? i say 'heck yeah'.. but i do it because.... and i go into the benefits of ramadan.. spirituality, feeling what others feel...and the real impact of ramadan comes sometimes after it.. when you can walk right up to the water fountain and drink some cool water in the middle of the day. that's when it really hits you and you realize how thankful you should be for even this smallest blessing. i can't remember what age i started fasting.. i would say middle school cause i remember sitting at the table with other ppl not eating.. and in high school going to the library instead of lunch. i would encourage little kids to do 1/2 days.. it's cute and they feel special and it's good to encourage them.. and keep helping them till they hit puberty and then of course they should fast all the days... the one thing i miss after ramadan passes is that it just so much easier to open the quran during ramadan.. after it goes back to being that 1000 pound cover :( |
Re: What do you say? |
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BrKhalid |
12/13/00 at 09:16:35 |
Asalaamu Alaikum As a Muslim in the West you always tend to stand out, and at Ramadhan even more so. But its such a great opportunity to make the non-muslims aware of our deen which includes talking about the spiritual side of fasting as well as the physical. I think I started about the age of 8 or 9 and at that age it's a big adventure. I would refuse any child of mine to fast at that age. The more you tell a child he can't do something the more he wants to do it :) But seriously, I think its wise to start early so its not such a big hurdle when it becomes compulsory. As to thing I miss most about Ramadhan, that's easy: The rewards attached to the whole month People are different, some are motivated by fear and punishment to a greater extent whilst others by hope and reward. I fall firmly in the second, knowing the bounties which are available just pushes you to strive that much further, something which unfortunately never quite happens in the rest of the year. :( May Allah guide us all to make best use of the remaining days of the month. |
Re: What do you say? |
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chachi |
12/16/00 at 00:00:39 |
salaam Hmm most people in the uk know muslims are fasting |
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