Ramadan fasting as a practice begun with Abraham, its spiritual and physical benefits, why astronomical calculation replaces moon sighting, the Islamic day beginning at sunset, and the 2005 dates including the Night of Destiny. Also a report on the 20th annual United Submitters International Conference in Seattle, and a reflection on thanking God at all times, not only during Ramadan or Thanksgiving.
R amadan
is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every year in the month
of Ramadan, the majority of Muslims (Submitters) fast from dawn to sunset,
abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are sick,
pregnant, elderly, or traveling, can make up an equal number of days later
in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they can feed a
needy person for every day missed.
Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill
or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those
who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor
person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more
righteous works), it is better.
But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew. (2:184)
Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed,
providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book.
Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are
ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes
for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations,
and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.
()
Fasting in Arabic is called, “Siyam” or “Saum,”
which literally means ‘to be at rest.’ Contrary to what many
people believe, fasting
did not start with Muhammad. It started with
prophet Abraham like other practices of Islam. All the messengers and
prophets who followed Abraham, including Moses and Jesus, observed these
religious practices.
O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was
decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation. (2:183)
Fasting – Blessing in Disguise
The religious practices instituted by God, such as fasting, are blessings
from God. If we can practice our religious duties the way we are supposed
to, we get many benefits. Furthermore, these practices allow us to be
more conscious of God in our lives.
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Ramadan
The practices essentially constitute the nourishment required for
the growth and development of our souls to make it to Heaven. They
are for our own good. God is in no need of any of our prayers and
worship.
Besides nourishing our soul, the real self, fasting also has numerous,
scientifically proven benefits for our physical health and the mental
well-being of our body. The time, length and nature of the fast
all contribute to its overall positive effect. Fasting gives our
digestive system a rest and improves our physical health. In his
book “Fasting and Eating for Health,” (ISBN 031218719X)
Joel Fuhrman, M.D. notes that “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.”
Ramadan Varies Every Year
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.
Is Moon Sighting Necessary?
God gave us scientific knowledge to determine exactly when a lunar
month will begin and end. Therefore there is no need to sight the
crescent of the moon to start fasting, like some traditional Muslims
do. Any observatory or astronomy center should have that information
for your area. Some almanacs, magazines or newspapers also report
the times for the phases of the moon. To determine when one should
start fasting, compare the time the new lunar month begins with
the time of sunset, the beginning of a day in the Islamic calendar.
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 actually referring
to Thursday night because that night actually belongs to Friday
according to their definition of a day.
Ramadan This Year
The new moon times to be used for determining the beginning and
ending of Ramadan are given below for UT (Universal time) or GMT
(Greenwich Mean Time).
10:28 a.m. on October 3
1:24 a.m. on November 2
The actual time for each time zone is relative to GMT. For example,
Tucson is seven hours behind GMT. Thus when, for example, it is
10 p.m. according to GMT, it is 3 p.m. in Tucson. Based on the above
information, God willing, the first day of Ramadan for Tucson (and
for most parts of the world) is October 4, the last day is November
2. More information on Ramadan can be found at www.masjidtucson.org.
Ramadan 2005
God willing
October 4 - November 2
The Night of Destiny starts at the sunset
of October 29, 2005. For further details, see the Ramadan
page at http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/practices/ramadan/index.html.
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CONFERENCE 2005 REPORT
GOD loves those who fight in His cause united in
one column, like the bricks in one wall. 61:4
You shall hold fast to the rope of GOD, all of you,
and do not be divided. 3:103
You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the
Contact Prayers (Salat), and - whatever you do - do not ever fall
into idol worship. 30:31
Praise be to God, this was the 20th annual United Submitters International
Conference. This year’s conference was held in Seattle, Washington
August 5-7, 2005. Submitters from around the world gathered to share
ideas and to commemorate God.
The Friday prayer was led by the newly-engaged Amir K. He spoke
about feeling a need to do more to help people around the world
and to spread the message. He also talked about how each of us moves
through stages and how we need to be kind and understanding with
one another as we make this journey through life. His khutba set
the tone of the conference with its themes of action and tolerance.
Abdullah welcomed everyone, reminding us of verse 7:53: Tell
My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for
the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the
devil is man's most ardent enemy. He encouraged the young
submitters to work together to spread God’s message, since
they are the future of the world.
We enjoyed hearing reports from all the communities on their activities
during the past year. After dinner we had an open house for people
in the Seattle area in the hopes of introducing the correct understanding
of Islam.
The zikr on Friday and Saturday evenings was beautiful as always.
Meauvell, Parisa and Parivash led the group in musical commemoration
of God.
All of the talks were wonderful, interesting and informative. We
had the opportunity to appreciate God through presentations ranging
from polar bears to a Roman holiday, hip hop to meditation, a Quran
game (SPAA) to the Great Feud. We were also blessed with inspirational
talks to help us commemorate God and increase our submission, and
find ways to invite others to the path of God.
You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom
and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible
manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and
He knows best who are the guided ones. 16:125
May God bless Rukshana for her efforts in putting this conference
together. It was a lovely location and a very pretty hotel. Everyone
had a wonderful time and it was sad to see the conference come to
an end. But we all came away with renewed resolve to work on our
own submission and to spread the message of worship God alone to
others.
O you who believe, you shall reverence GOD and seek
the ways and means to Him, and strive in His cause, that you may
succeed. 5:35
Nargis and Lydia
[Note. If you have any comments or suggestions
about the conference, please feel free to let us know at [email protected]]
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Ramadan
The Night of Destiny
The Night of Power or the Night of Destiny (Layl-al-Qadr) is the night
in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It is the 27th night
of Ramadan. God describes this night as better than a thousand months.
During that night, the angels and the Spirit descend therein, by God’s
leave, to carry out every command (97:1-5). More about the Night of Destiny
and the 19 based mathematical code associated with it can be found in
December 1999 Submitters Perspective.
The Night of Power starts at the sunset of 26th day of Ramadan corresponding
to the 27th night. It ends at the dawn of the following morning. This
year it starts at the sunset of October 29.
Note: Like every year, there will be gatherings of
Submitters in different communities around the world for the Night of
Destiny to commemorate God all night long. Please check with your local
community for such a gathering (Ed.)
Thanking God
Thanksgiving Day comes about three weeks after Ramadan this year. Both
Ramadan and Thanksgiving offer opportunities for people to reflect on
being grateful to God for His blessings. However, we should remember and
be thankful to God in every circumstance, not only on special occasions
like Ramadan or Thanksgiving Day. The rewards for being appreciative are
manifold. We reap their benefit not only in the Hereafter, but starting
right away here in this world.
Therefore, you shall eat from GOD’s provisions everything
that is lawful and good, and be appreciative of GOD’s blessings,
if you do worship Him alone. (16:114)
Your Lord has decreed: “The more you thank Me, the
more I give you.” But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution
is severe. (14:7)
A Reflection:
We don't need more to be thankful for; we just need to be more
thankful.
Anonymous
About this work
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Author
International Community of Submitters
Publisher
International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson