fasting

[darkoshi]

I have a health screening scheduled for late tomorrow afternoon, and I'm supposed to fast for at least 9 hours before. Previous health screenings I've done were all in the morning, where most of the fasting hours were overnight, and I could simply delay breakfast by a few hours. This time I'll eat an early breakfast and delay lunch by several hours.

Normally on work days, I eat breakfast between 8 and 9am, and am quite hungry by 2pm (often, I don't take my lunch break until then). Tomorrow, it will be an extra 4 hours of not eating. I'm dreading it but also looking forward to the challenge.

I'm impressed by Muslims who fast during the daylight hours of Ramadan for a whole month. (I don't agree with people being forced to do it, but for those who do it willingly or not, it seems quite a feat.) According to various sources, in most places Muslims fast for at least 12 hours each day. They don't even drink anything during that time! At least I can drink water tomorrow. Imagine being in a hot desert country in the summer, and not drinking anything all day.

Comments

the reason for Ramadan

[koro-sutro.livejournal.com]

It isn't enforced, actually - but a good Muslim does do it. The reason Muhammad (pbuh) established Ramadan was to make sure Muslim society had experience with deprivation, so they would be more merciful to the poor. The pagan society Muhammad (pbuh) revolted against was wealthy, sophisticated and urban. They despised and abused the poor, especially widows and orphans. Muhammad (pbuh) always had special concern for widows and orphans. The reason Muslim men can have up to four wives was to get widows off of the streets and cared for. Travelers, the sick and the aged are not encouraged to fast.

Re: the reason for Ramadan

[darkoshi]

In some places like Iran, it is enforced. Even if you don't get flogged in public for not fasting in some other Muslim areas, there's still societal pressure to conform.

I do admire the concept of Ramadan. But I think one should only do it because one truly believes in it and wants to do it, not because of retributions for not doing it.