*Disclaimer: This post is aimed at people who do not fast for no reason whatsoever.
That is the question:
I have been brought up as a moderate Muslim. I will not get into details and talk in depth about the teachings of Islam, but I have something to say about the holy month of Ramadan before I actually explode all over the place.
It seems like times are changing; long long long time ago, we used to assume that all Muslims fast by default. However, things have now taken a turn (To the worst). Tomorrow is the third day of Ramadan, and so far I think four people asked if I am fasting this Ramadan. I mean what the hell? I always thought that fasting is the easiest thing to do compared to covering hair (For women obviously) and praying. I know many people will object and say that religious duties all come together and if I do not practice all then I am not a true Muslim and I have no right to speak about it … Well I heard it all, but I still would like to share my opinion. I can understand how wearing Hijab could be hard, or why some people skip some prayers and have to make up a lot of them. But I think that people who do not fast are lousy, it is only one month in the whole year. The amount of hours varies from one year to the next. It is something that even kids are capable of doing. I do not see a reason why any Muslim should not fast.
Having said that, please do not approach me and gently ask if I am fasting. They go like ‘I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but are you fasting? Please don’t feel offended if you’re not, I totally and completely understand. It’s so hard to fast especially during the summer.’ Well, I am indeed very offended, by the fact that you asked if I am fasting. My question is why are you NOT fasting?
Now if one more person asks if I am fasting, things will not go well I tell you!
Posted by Batoul on September 3, 2008 at 2:02 am
I agree to your argument. I too thought it was by default until I learned about the smokers that cant handle the nicotine withdrawal, the weak people who are unable to convince their minds for the sake of their religion to fast and the list goes on… unfortunately!
sa7ee7……… are you *whispers* fasting?!
Posted by Naser on September 3, 2008 at 5:57 am
ok so we understand that you’re fasting ? right ?
sho 6ab5een el yoam ?
Posted by Qwaider قويدر on September 3, 2008 at 12:55 pm
You know Hala, many people might not be able to fast due to some sort of illness or have an excuse
Anyway, Happy Ramadan, yin3ad 3alaikom ya rab
Posted by Abed Hamdan on September 3, 2008 at 2:52 pm
believe or not, despite my well built looking body, I have always had hard times fasting, because of my blood. It’s a genetic thing running thro the family. I always fast alhamdolellah, but I severely suffer during this month.
Posted by Hala on September 3, 2008 at 9:17 pm
It seems everyone got me wrong except for Batoul … I guess I can count Naser too, always sarcastic
This post was written out of frustration with people who keep asking if I am fasting or not. I am Muslim, and therefore, I should be fasting. This, in no way, is directed towards people who cannot fast for a ‘valid’ reason.
Sadly, my logic back in the day as a 7 year-old does not work anymore, because religion is becoming a trend and apparently, being Muslim does not mean you should fast.
Posted by Naser on September 4, 2008 at 4:57 am
okay ! we got it eh
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Posted by Qabbani on September 4, 2008 at 7:27 am
Well,
EXACTLY , when u sho 2smo , then u should ,
any way its remind me when i was in a cafe with friends guys and girls , then i excused then to go pray and came back
many look like this o_O
cuz i asked the waiter where i can do Woddo2 and pray …
It become weird when u hear someone pray and having his life
Posted by KJ on September 4, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I am appalled by the amount of people who have been complaining about fasting this year!
If you don’t wanna fast then shut up and don’t! And leave us alone!
In any case, like you said..
Ramadan Mubarak
Posted by sam on September 4, 2008 at 10:18 pm
i know it is actually very annoying…i hate it when people ask that..sometimes u r not fasting for a reason…and it is embarrassing…do u lie and say yeh..or tell them that u r not because u r exused…..i dont know some people fast some dont..to each his or her own..it is between them and allah…i am not fasting this year and feel bad about it….but o well…
Posted by Hala J. on September 5, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I have always fasted and I also come from a moderate Muslim family. I do have a lot of friends that don’t fast though. I think the only reason they break it is because they smoke and they can’t handle the nicotine withdrawal. I think it’s pathetic but I don’t hold it against them. I think you should fast because you believe in it, and if you don’t, then just don’t do it. I don’t like it when people start off the day fasting and then break it in the middle. Either do it or don’t–it’s that simple.
Posted by Khouloud on September 6, 2008 at 4:28 pm
“It is something that even kids are capable of doing. I do not see a reason why any Muslim should not fast”
Using your same sense, Hijab is something even a kid can wear so I do not see a reason why any muslimeh shouldn’t wear it. You see, I do agree with you but your argument can easily backfire, lol. It’s not an issue of easy-can-do-pillar and hard-no-can-do-pillar, non of the duties we’re supposed to do as Muslims are hard in any way or form, praying takes up about an hour of your day and Hijab is really only about wearing more clothes, I’m not preaching either because you know I’m not a Hijabi but we view Fasting differently because that is how we were all brought up, yimken it has to do with Ramadan traditions, the ftour, suhour ..etc and how families take part in that, yimken it has to do with the fact that during Ramdan it is illegal to drink, eat or smoke in public during the Fasting hours, whatever the reason is a person might not fast or pray and be better than those who spend their day fasting and praying so no one has the right to label others as lousy just because they do not abide to one of the pillars. The latter comes from the fact that a dear person to me does not fast and he’s so much better than the rest of the Jordanian people and every other person.
Ramadan Kareem
Posted by Hala on September 6, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Qabbani: It is not only an issue of weirdness, it is an issue of difficulty. Sho bedna nsawi?
KJ: Thank you, and just wait for the coming years when the day gets REALLY long and hot.
Sam: Tell me about it :\ And congratulations on the pregnancy!
Hala J: I agree with you … Ramadan Kareem
Khouloud: Thanks, 3alena o 3alekom
I agree with you, as soon as a person is able to do his/her religious duties then he/she definitely should. However, I do believe that fasting is way easier than covering hair or praying. I am a living proof, lol. I also actually asked several people about their take on this. I think fasting is easier because it is something you do one month in a year; it is about refraining from doing a certain thing, while covering hair or praying is a daily thing, which is like a whole lifestyle. Refraining from doing something is a lot easier than putting an effort to do something. What you said about Ramadan traditions is fully true. Of course, I am not justifying not covering my hair or not praying and I know my excuses all stem from laziness, but that is why my post was aimed especially at people who do not fast due to lame reasons.
Posted by Waleed Khamis on September 7, 2008 at 4:03 am
Well I totally agree with what you said.
someone told me “you might be the only 23 years old guy who fasts!”
its very weird how things turned and its getting even worse
Posted by Hala on September 7, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I really love it when I see young men who fast, even more so than girls because somehow I think that guys find it more difficult … Just my personal opinion.
Posted by Alaa Abdelhaq on September 8, 2008 at 2:36 am
Its kind of “show off” for people who r not fasting, they r happy to ask you and get the same question back from you!
and proudly they will answer NO!!
I dunno whats the world is going into!!
Atheists r happy of their stupid believes and living among muslims!!
its a very big subject to talk about!
anyway thanks for your post.
Posted by Hala on September 8, 2008 at 6:35 pm
People who do not fast have different reasons. To them, they are reasonable. To us, though, they seem silly.
Posted by Mariam on August 24, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Asalam Alaykum to all the muslims fasting and not fasting this year,
Firstly i would like to say that is not up to any of us to judge another person, wether they a muslim or not>fasting or not.
No one can ever understand another person unless the walk in there shoes.
I really cant stand it when I see muslims ranting and raving about another persons actions.
Once again we look towards others faults and not our own?
Is it not better to just support people and try to help them learn the benifits of fasting, wearing hijab and prayers rather then playing the role of Allah swt as the condeming judge?
This is why our society falls apart because of all the nit picking that muslims have! I have fasted and not fasted and for my own health issues it can be very depressing when you are not fasting.
At the same time it is awful to push people as Allah swt says ‘there is no compulsion in religion’.
When does it become our duty to cast our eyes down on muslims who struggle ? are we so sure we will be strong and healthy our whole life?
I make a sincere request to all the brothers and sisters out there this Ramadan fast with your toungue to! Let us be good example’s rather than taking Allah swt role.
May Allah grant us forgiveness and mercy in this holy month.
Ramadan Kareem!
sincerely your sister in Islam
Mariam