Fasting: A Blessing in Disguise
Cont’d from page 1
“The fast does not merely detoxify; it also breaks down superfluous tissue—fat, abnormal cells, atheromatous plaque, and tumors—and releases diseased tissues and their cellular products into the circulation for elimination. Toxic or unwanted materials circulate in our bloodstream and lymphatic tissues, and are deposited in and released from our fat stores and other tissues. An important element of fasting detoxification is mobilizing the toxins from their storage areas.”
Month of Ramadan
A lunar month is approximately 29.5 days, which is the time it takes for the moon to orbit the earth. Because a lunar month is, on the average, one day shorter than a solar month, a lunar year is 10-12 days shorter than a solar year. Therefore, the Month of Ramadan comes 10-12 days earlier each year. This way we get to fast when the days are very warm and long in summer as well as when they are cool and short in winter. This beautiful design by God is also a test for us to see if we will fast regardless of the length or temperature of the days of Ramadan.
When is Ramadan?
Some Muslims believe that they must start and end the fasting month only after they can sight the moon physically, just like the old days. The Muslims during the time of Prophet Muhammad did not have the technological advantage we have today. They needed to see the crescent moon before they could start fasting.
God tells us that He rendered the sun and the moon as calculation devices (6:96, 10:5, 17:12, 55:5). We have the technology to determine precisely when the different phases of the moon will appear for any given month, now or in the future, according to the design of God. So we don’t need physical sighting of the moon to decide when the month of Ramadan will start or end. We can easily verify it for ourselves using the resources available for us. God has given us the hearing, the |
eyesight, and the brain, and we are responsible for using them (17:36).
What is an Islamic Day?
The Islamic day is the same as the Hebrew day. It begins at sunset and ends at the next sunset. In this system, the night comes before the day. Therefore, in some traditional Islamic countries, when they talk about, for instance, Friday night, they are in fact referring to Thursday night because that night actually belongs to Friday according to their definition of a day.
Ramadan 2008
The new moon times to be used for determining the beginning and ending of Ramadan are given below for UT (Universal time), also known as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
7:58 p.m. on August 30, 2008 (UT)
8:12 a.m. on September 29, 2008 (UT)
The actual time for each time zone is relative to UT. In order to calculate the Ramadan start date, compare the time of the New Moon with the Sunset in your location. If the new moon is before sunset, you should fast the next day, God willing.
Similarly to determine the last day of fasting, compare the time of the next New Moon with the sunset in your location. If the new moon is before sunset, the month of Ramadan is complete on that day. Otherwise one needs to fast the next day.
God willing Ramadan this year begins on August 31 and ends on September 29 for North, Central and South America. However Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Australia start on September 1. The Night of Destiny (Night of Power) will be on September 25, 2008 for the Americas, God willing. It will be one day later (September 26, 2008) for the rest of the world.
Happy and blessed Ramadan to all, God willing.
Abdullah |
Comments From
A Submitter
Dear Brothers & Sisters
It gives me great pleasure by Allah’s grace that I have become a submitter and ask forgiveness for the days of ignorance in which I lived in previously.
My story is long but I will try to be brief as possible.
I am a Malaysian but married a Pakistani girl due to family bloodlines. After living for nearly ten years with my wife in Malaysia I decided to migrate to Pakistan after the demise of my parents. My purpose for migrating was also to be with my Moslem brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Unfortunately after spending nearly four years in Pakistan I find the Moslems of this region are deeply steeped in rituals and traditions that have smeared the name of Islam.
Situation of the Moslems in this country is deteriorating as they have totally gone astray in their rituals and beliefs which they base on the men-made hadith.
I am a father of three children, two daughters and one son. I am still a Malaysian citizen along with two of my kids who were born in Malaysia. I am a gemstone merchant by profession and travel extensively.
I became aware of the Quranic miracle 19 when I was still in Malaysia. I did not take it seriously then but my research into this became serious after the 9/11 attacks.
After researching for nearly two years in Pakistan I realised the error that Moslems of the world are in.
My request is I truly very much need to be with community of submitters such as in Tucson as it is very difficult for me to cope with Islamic lifestyle of the Pakistanis.
If you can help me to migrate with my family to Tucson this will be the greatest gift that Allah can provide me as I need to be with community of submitters.
Your advise and cooperation in this matter is highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Brother S. K.
[Ed.’s note: Please submit your comments and views for us to publish so that you can share them with other readers]
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