I am a Muslim, FASTING TODAY, RIGHT NOW as I write this, in UTTER DISGUST at how Ramadan is “celebrated” by Muslims, in everything, except the spirit, especially in Muslim countries.
Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said: .” .. whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness” (Qur’an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)
Abu Said al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, said: “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further away from his face.” This is related by “the group,” except for Abu Dawud.
“The most honoured by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa.” [49:13]
The Prophet said: “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward.” [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh].
It is clear from the above that Ramadan is a month where one seeks to purify oneself, rid of sin, and practice taqwaa (or piety/righteousness) – indeed SELFISH OBJECTIVES? Correct me if not? For YOU the “fast-er” (for want of a better term, are in line to be rewarded, correct? Absolutely. Further if one doesn’t fast there ARE alternates in terms of atonement for them. Then why PUNISH INHUMANELY those who do NOT fast?
Nowhere does the Quran or Hadith say that “EVERYONE ON THE PLANET MUST FAST AND THOSE WHO DON’T SHOULD BE DEALT WITH SAUDI STYLE” [Telegraph]
Nowhere does the Quran or Hadith say that “ANYONE WHO FASTS MUST BE PROTECTED FROM THE SIGHT OF PEOPLE WHO EAT OR DRINK!”
There are MILLIONS of Muslims in NON MUSLIM countries who PEACEFULLY and WITHOUT ANY SHOW-OFF practice Ramadan, even their colleagues may not know that they are avoiding for a religious reason!
In so called “Islamic” countries, Muslims and Non Muslims alike are FORCED not to eat as a PRICE for those who DO fast! What a marvellously SELFISH way to RID yourself of SIN at someone ELSE’S expense!!! Where do I see that? In which culture or faith? Not many, IF ANY!
I request the civilized and educated among you to realize that:
Fasting is a PERSONAL not STATE matter
Fasting is a self fulfilling activity, it is a TEST of one’s love for God by purifying and hardening one’s body, this act is again, personal in nature, it does not require “community involvement, or punishment” as is practiced in almost ALL Muslim countries
There are MANY Muslims who simply cannot fast due their job nature, WHY PUNISH THEM by closing all shops, restaurants etc in Ramadan? And STOPPING public eating? Do you do THAT in New York or Zurich or London, COME ON – this is a moronic and stupid practice that must be stopped ASAP!
There are poor mechanics who can’t fast, working in 50 degree Gulf heat, BUT they cannot eat or drink thanks to YOU the WEAK Muslims who punish them for your own fast!
There are NON MUSLIMS who out of “respect” are FORCED not to eat, come on Mr / Ms Moron, how come? why do you STOP them? Which ayat of the Quran or Hadith of the Prophet PBUH allows you that?
I come from a FAMILY of Islamic scholars, I saw Islam LIVING in my house, not some half brained dim wit uneducated illterate boring old fashioned and extremely stereotypical and cliched “preacher man” who sells Islam in the mosques … So I KNOW what I’m talking about, if you do, I dare you to debate …
You can’t, so cut it short, fasting is YOUR test, not the world’s test … “get it” and let all do as they do, Ramadan or not … Don’t force others to appear in your exam, sometimes at a cost of their life for surely I trust YOU invite hellfire in that sense, depending on your beliefs, or the lack of them …
The spirit of Ramadan is SELF PURIFICATION, not MASS PURIFICATION – please understand, and practice it, God bless you.
