Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.
During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking. Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
This month will be more challenging than most for me because the days are longer and we are in the heat of summer. So I will be fasting approximately 16 hour days...for 30 days...that is no eating or drinking (no not even water) from Dawn to Sunset.
To all my Muslims brothers and Sisters out there in the world. Ramadhan Mubarrak!! May all your deeds and efforts be blessed 100 times over!
-V
During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.
This month will be more challenging than most for me because the days are longer and we are in the heat of summer. So I will be fasting approximately 16 hour days...for 30 days...that is no eating or drinking (no not even water) from Dawn to Sunset.
To all my Muslims brothers and Sisters out there in the world. Ramadhan Mubarrak!! May all your deeds and efforts be blessed 100 times over!
-V
Posts
3 comments:
Eid Mubarak Vernetta! What a lovely message - hope you don't mind if I snag it to put on mine. :-) We start fasting tomorrow - it will be my third year, AlhumdilAllah. Blessings to you and yours.
Ramadan Kareem!! Not at all! Snag away!!
Vernetta, Just wanted to pop over and say thank you for all the great ribbon storage tips. WOW! you are a wealth of info. I love the ribbon storage idea from Amazing paper Grace. I think I have a few of those drawers in my attic that I'm not using....Awesome idea and I don't have to got out and buy anything. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Christina
Post a Comment