Posted:
I am taking a bold and perhaps step and initiating a discussion on a religious topic. Sparks do tend to fly on DM. Hopefully, we can keep this discussion respectful and within limits.
The purpose of the topic: To discuss the meaning and origins of Ramadan and the practices surrounding it. I also intend to debate certain practices as well as question certain inconsistencies within different traditions. My intent in this is not to disrespect or put down any religion, practice or belief - but more out of honest curiosity as well as drive people to explain things in clear consistent ways for outsiders who do not have that understanding.
As far as I understand Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Qu'ran was revealed and Satan defeated. During the month of Ramadan Muslims across the world observe a fast from dawn to sunset (no food or drink including water - will address other aspects later). The last day marking the end of the fast is the well known holiday Eid-Ul-Fitr (feel free to correct or add if I missed anything here).
Questions:
When and why did the tradition of the fast begin? Which scriptures write about the fast and why? What is the purpose of observing such a stringent fast?
A lot of explanations I receive is that fasting is a means to discipline mind and body, it serves to understand sacrifice and submission too. Hypothetically, what of a person who already is a very disciplined non indulgent frugal person like say a Gandhi who wore hand spun bare minimum, ate and drank very little and had that sense of discipline, sacrifice and submission - what do they gain by fasting? Are there varying degrees?
Not eating food for 8-12 hours is not a big deal, but why the no water? Health wise a human is supposed to consume at least a bare minimum of 8 glasses of water a day at regular interval. Water is essential for regulating biological functions. In dry hot climates it is vital to keep the body cool and prevent dehydration. So why would a holy fast require something that can be unhealthy?
Now most people I have known stick to only the fasting of food and drink as well as abstinence during the fasting period. However, I've heard of stringent traditional people who put a cut on a lot of recreational activities like movies, music etc during the fast. What take do people have on this?
Ramadan in some ways reminds me of Christian Lenten traditions based on similar principles. Their fast is not as stringent, but lasts 40-44 day depending on tradition. A lot of Protestant as well as many Catholic traditions too encourage sacrifice to show discipline etc during Lent for example giving up things like video games or volunteering for charity etc. I've given up little things like soda during Lent (Not that a heathen like follows traditions, it was for solidarity). Do Islamic traditions also encourage something extra above and beyond the traditional fast? Will anyone be giving up something more like movies, video games, *gosh* IF or something in the spirit of discipline?
The Technicality:
Now this is the part that bothers me the most. First and foremost when the heck does Ramadan start? There always seems to be a debate as cited in this article. Do read the article for more about the conflicts and politics over Ramadan within the Islamic community.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/10/AR2010081005777.html?hpid=sec-religion
Next Ramadan always seems to fall 10-11 days early each day. The first year I was in USA Ramadan was in December. I was telling my friend in India - the sun sets at like 3 PM these days, even I can keep this fast now. In fact I think working at Wal-Mart during holiday season with delayed breaks - I might have kept the fast by default. Anyway this year its in August the sunset is about at 8 PM these days, brutally later than India. But by 2016 it will be in June when the sun here does not set till freaking 10 PM. There is like a 6 hour gap between 10 Am and 4 PM to go about life and business.
So now here is where I am hoping people tell me that this dawn to sunset is not really dawn to sunset but there is more method to the madness. That there actually is a rationally specified time to start and end the fast irrespective of where the sun is in the sky. That would nullify the above paragraph and put everything in its place. If there is not, it is high time one considered a stricter schedule. For while things are steady at the equator there are days when the brethren up North see the night for only a couple of hours. Also what if a person works night shift and sleeps from dawn through sunset?
I understand that Ramadan is years of tradition and holds a lot of significance, but as a matter of equity and consistence won't in be nice if there were a set schedule where everyone knows that they have to fast say like from 8 AM to 6 PM and also a schedule for the nocturnal workers too? Maybe there is something in place I am unaware of so hopefully that can be explained by someone too.
The purpose of the topic: To discuss the meaning and origins of Ramadan and the practices surrounding it. I also intend to debate certain practices as well as question certain inconsistencies within different traditions. My intent in this is not to disrespect or put down any religion, practice or belief - but more out of honest curiosity as well as drive people to explain things in clear consistent ways for outsiders who do not have that understanding.
As far as I understand Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Qu'ran was revealed and Satan defeated. During the month of Ramadan Muslims across the world observe a fast from dawn to sunset (no food or drink including water - will address other aspects later). The last day marking the end of the fast is the well known holiday Eid-Ul-Fitr (feel free to correct or add if I missed anything here).
Questions:
When and why did the tradition of the fast begin? Which scriptures write about the fast and why? What is the purpose of observing such a stringent fast?
A lot of explanations I receive is that fasting is a means to discipline mind and body, it serves to understand sacrifice and submission too. Hypothetically, what of a person who already is a very disciplined non indulgent frugal person like say a Gandhi who wore hand spun bare minimum, ate and drank very little and had that sense of discipline, sacrifice and submission - what do they gain by fasting? Are there varying degrees?
Not eating food for 8-12 hours is not a big deal, but why the no water? Health wise a human is supposed to consume at least a bare minimum of 8 glasses of water a day at regular interval. Water is essential for regulating biological functions. In dry hot climates it is vital to keep the body cool and prevent dehydration. So why would a holy fast require something that can be unhealthy?
Now most people I have known stick to only the fasting of food and drink as well as abstinence during the fasting period. However, I've heard of stringent traditional people who put a cut on a lot of recreational activities like movies, music etc during the fast. What take do people have on this?
Ramadan in some ways reminds me of Christian Lenten traditions based on similar principles. Their fast is not as stringent, but lasts 40-44 day depending on tradition. A lot of Protestant as well as many Catholic traditions too encourage sacrifice to show discipline etc during Lent for example giving up things like video games or volunteering for charity etc. I've given up little things like soda during Lent (Not that a heathen like follows traditions, it was for solidarity). Do Islamic traditions also encourage something extra above and beyond the traditional fast? Will anyone be giving up something more like movies, video games, *gosh* IF or something in the spirit of discipline?
The Technicality:
Now this is the part that bothers me the most. First and foremost when the heck does Ramadan start? There always seems to be a debate as cited in this article. Do read the article for more about the conflicts and politics over Ramadan within the Islamic community.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/10/AR2010081005777.html?hpid=sec-religion
Does Ramadan start when religious officials in your native country declare that a legitimate witness has seen the moon? Or when people in the holy city of Mecca do? Do you have to see it yourself? Can you rely on astronomical calculations? Or should you just go with what the imam at your mosque says?
Next Ramadan always seems to fall 10-11 days early each day. The first year I was in USA Ramadan was in December. I was telling my friend in India - the sun sets at like 3 PM these days, even I can keep this fast now. In fact I think working at Wal-Mart during holiday season with delayed breaks - I might have kept the fast by default. Anyway this year its in August the sunset is about at 8 PM these days, brutally later than India. But by 2016 it will be in June when the sun here does not set till freaking 10 PM. There is like a 6 hour gap between 10 Am and 4 PM to go about life and business.
So now here is where I am hoping people tell me that this dawn to sunset is not really dawn to sunset but there is more method to the madness. That there actually is a rationally specified time to start and end the fast irrespective of where the sun is in the sky. That would nullify the above paragraph and put everything in its place. If there is not, it is high time one considered a stricter schedule. For while things are steady at the equator there are days when the brethren up North see the night for only a couple of hours. Also what if a person works night shift and sleeps from dawn through sunset?
I understand that Ramadan is years of tradition and holds a lot of significance, but as a matter of equity and consistence won't in be nice if there were a set schedule where everyone knows that they have to fast say like from 8 AM to 6 PM and also a schedule for the nocturnal workers too? Maybe there is something in place I am unaware of so hopefully that can be explained by someone too.
