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[Kisaya]

Ramadan Kareem! Once again this holiday has crept up on us for the summer. Join MuslimGAF and the millions of Muslims around the world celebrate this holy month.

This thread is welcome to all who want to share their experiences and discuss the topic of Ramadan. Whether or not you are fasting this year, or if you self identify as a Muslim or not, you are free to join in on the conversation! Ramadan is an important month for community and personally I would not want anyone to feel excluded.

Now according to Google... Ramadan 2017 in United States of America will begin in the evening of Friday, May 26 and ends in the evening of Saturday, June 24.
There is never a "right" date, so please start/end on which ever date aligns with your geographic location.

Re-posting from the usual FAQ:

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The much-anticipated start of the month is based on a combination of physical sightings of the moon and astronomical calculations. The practice varies from place to place, some places relying heavily on sighting reports and others totally on calculations. In the United States, most communities follow the decision of the Islamic Society of North America, which accepts bonafide sightings of the new moon anywhere in the United States as the start of the new month. The end of the month, marked by the celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr, is similarly determined.

Why is Ramadan special?

Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims.

The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam, fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds.

As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.

Who fasts in Ramadan?

While voluntary fasting is recommended for Muslims, during Ramadan fasting becomes obligatory. Children, the elderly, sick people, travelers, and women in certain conditions are exempted from the fast but must make it up as they are able. Perhaps fasting in Ramadan is the most widely practiced of all the Muslim forms of worship.

What are the requirements of fasting during Ramadan?

The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between -- that is, during the daylight hours -- Muslims totally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and marital sex. The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar) after sunset.

Last 10 days of Ramadan

The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of special spiritual power as everyone tries to come closer to God through devotions and good deeds. The night on which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet, known as the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr), is generally taken to be the 27th night of the month. The Qur'an states that this night is better than a thousand months. Therefore many Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.

During the month, Muslims try to read as much of the Qur'an as they can. Most try to read the whole book at least once. Some spend part of their day listening to the recitation of the Qur'an in a mosque.

Food!!

Since Ramadan is a special time, Muslims in many parts of the world prepare certain favorite foods during this month.

It is a common practice for Muslims to break their fast at sunset with dates (iftar), following the custom of Prophet Muhammad. This is followed by the sunset prayer, which is followed by dinner. Since Ramadan emphasizes community aspects and since everyone eats dinner at the same time, Muslims often invite one another to share in the Ramadan evening meal.

Some Muslims find that they eat less for dinner during Ramadan than at other times due to stomach contraction. However, as a rule, most Muslims experience little fatigue during the day since the body becomes used to the altered routine during the first week of Ramadan.

Past Ramadan threads:
Ramadan 2016
Ramadan 2015
Ramadan 2014
Ramadan 2013

 

[Kisaya]

Cool Ramadan related links and resources can go here:

Masjid al-Rabia, a women-centered, LGBTQIA+ affirming pluralist organization in Chicago, is collecting donations that will go directly towards Ramadan Care Packages for incarcerated LGBTQ Muslims.

Buzzfeed, 27 Foods To Eat At Suhoor That Release Energy Throughout The Day During Ramadan: Drink two glasses of water at every suhoor and follow these tips.

Buzzfeed, Here's What A Muslim Dietitian Eats During Ramadan: A day in the life during Ramadan (with recipes!).

Emara: Emirates Hero is a show coming out over the four weeks of Ramadan written by Fatima Al Muhairi and animated by Eating Stars Studio out of Dubai. It is based on an Emrirates female super hero, here is the opening intro. For those of you who don't know Arabic but want to watch the show, an English version is coming out after the original run.

Mvslim, Here's Why You Shouldn't Stop Working Out During Ramadan: Great tips and important habits that help achieve peak performance results in and out of the gym.

PM me if there's something you would like to add!

 

[Turkoop]

Ha great title

Ramadan kareem!

 

[The Artisan]

Lol. I remember your struggles last Ramadan. I am in a similar place as you were in matters of self-restraint. But we are human after all.

But I love Ramadan though. Best month for binge gaming too.

it's not just self restraint, it's general resentment towards this time of the year, every year. my Muslim friends get pissed at how much trash talk I do about Ramadan but it doesn't change how I feel.

Love Ramadan. Great time to be fat and lazy..even with 20hr+ fasting days

Lazy if ya ain't working but damn man 20 hours? Well at least for the better part of the year you also get a lot of sunlight

 

[SouSouRocket]

Resources and ways you can participate can go here:

Masjid al-Rabia, a women-centered, LGBTQIA+ affirming pluralist organization in Chicago, is collecting donations that will go directly towards Ramadan Care Packages for incarcerated LGBTQ Muslims.

PM me if there's something you would like to add!

Thank you for this... I've wished there were some space that welcomes ALL of our bros and sisters and I figured there must be on the coasts and in bigger cities. It's wonderful to know this exists.

 

[Sch1sm]

Great OP, Kisaya.

I'm not ready for the 16.5 hour fasts just yet, and it'll only get worse as the days go on. Oh boy. Last year this time, I was in Kenya. The days were so short.

 

[The Artisan]

so what happened at the Ariana Grande concert just about a week before Ramadan starts, and last year during Ramadan is when that Floridian attack happened right? Wtf is wrong with this world...I'm so frustrated to know so many murderers are bloodthirsty. Stop killing people

 

[Kisaya]

Thank you for this... I've wished there were some space that welcomes ALL of our bros and sisters and I figured there must be on the coasts and in bigger cities. It's wonderful to know this exists.

A fellow girl gaffer brought it to my attention when I had just moved to Chicago Unfortunately all their events always fall on a work thing so I haven't been able to get involved yet... but hopefully this summer I will have an opportunity to attend one of their meetings.

 

[Madouu]

Ramadan Moubarak Karim to everyone

 

[RustyNails]

 

[victreeb3l]

Looking forward to it. It'll be hard but fulfilling.

 

[Sch1sm]

Looking forward to it. It'll be hard but fulfilling.

Only after Maghrib.

 

[guggnichso]

Do not abstain from drinking water during daylight without consulting your physician beforehand. If you are over the age of 50 or under the age of 10, do not abstain from drinking water during daylight at all.

EDIT: While the OP referred to this as the "real hunger games", this is no game at all, but a very dangerous behaviour depending on where you live and what you do during the day. If you are elderly or very young, you should DEFINITELY not stop drinking water during the day. This could potentially be a deadly behaviour, ESPECIALLY for children in hot climates.

 

[The Artisan]

good time for some game of thrones binging too being about 2 months away, we might get the trailer during Ramadan too

 

[I-hate-u]

Ramadan Kareem everyone. May we all have a blessed month.

 

[Kisaya]

good time for some game of thrones binging too being about 2 months away, we might get the trailer during Ramadan too

Oh I forgot about this! Too bad it's after Ramadan because I always attend pot luck viewing parties and I usually make sambusa for everyone haha

 

[Lach]

I'm amazed no mass migration to the southern hemisphere occurs whenever Ramadan falls on June.....

Ramadan Mubarak

 

[Hexa]

Ramadan Kareem everyone!
I'm not too worried about fasting, but tarabi is going to kill me, even with only 8 I'll get about four hours to sleep on weekdays, two after tarabi and two after sahri. I guess I need to find a way to cut sahri down from an hour to half an hour and I guess I'll use my work lunch period to nap. lol
Wonder if I should just burn through all my leave.

 

[The Artisan]

Oh I forgot about this! Too bad it's after Ramadan because I always attend pot luck viewing parties and I usually make sambusa for everyone haha

yeah it sucks it's so late in the year but it's a good time to catch up imo. i definitely think we will at least get a trailer during this month

 

[Gunslinger]

Man the days are sooo long here in NYC. Thirst is a bigger problem for me than hunger.

 

[orochi91]

Ramadan Kareem~~~

Will attempt to fast on all days this time, though thankfully Ramadan starts a day after my birthday, lol

 

[Sch1sm]

Do not abstain from drinking water during daylight without consulting your physician beforehand. If you are over the age of 50 or under the age of 10, do not abstain from drinking water during daylight at all.

EDIT: While the OP referred to this as the "real hunger games", this is no game at all, but a very dangerous behaviour depending on where you live and what you do during the day. If you are elderly or very young, you should DEFINITELY not stop drinking water during the day. This could potentially be a deadly behaviour, ESPECIALLY for children in hot climates.

I'll just tell you about those who aren't allowed to fast:

1. Those who are sick temporarily (with the flu, for example) or permanently (diabetes, AIDS, etc). The first case makes up their days after Ramadan, before the following one. The second has to feed a poor person/donate money, and don't have to make up missed days.
2. The senile, or old - that is, they've lost strength and fasting will only make the worse off. Being above 50 doesn't mean you're no longer able to fast.
3. Pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding.
4. Women who are menstruating.
5. Travelers, with some exceptions
6. Children don't have to fast until they've reached puberty. No one under the age of 10 is fasting the full month, maybe they'll try half a day, but no. It is not compulsory of them.
7. Those required to take medications that can't simply be taken before and after fast, for example, you gotta take a med every 12 hours but live in Scandinavia and have to fast 20 hours. Literally impossible, so you're exempt.


Among others.

E: Feel free to go back to that thread on radical Islamic terrorism.

 

[Kisaya]

I'll just tell you about those who aren't allowed to fast:

1. Those who are sick temporarily (with the flu, for example) or permanently (diabetes, AIDS, etc). The first case makes up their days after Ramadan, before the following one. The second has to feed a poor person/donate money, and don't have to make up missed days.
2. The senile, or old - that is, they've lost strength and fasting will only make the worse off. Being above 50 doesn't mean you're no longer able to fast.
3. Pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding.
4. Women who are menstruating.
5. Travelers, with some exceptions
6. Children don't have to fast until they've reached puberty. No one under the age of 10 is fasting the full month, maybe they'll try half a day, but no. It is not compulsory of them.
7. Those required to take medications that can't simply be taken before and after fast, for example, you gotta take a med every 12 hours but live in Scandinavia and have to fast 20 hours. Literally impossible, so you're exempt.


Among others.

E: Feel free to go back to that thread on radical Islamic terrorism.

I mean, it's in the OP. I guess I'll be more specific.

 

[AAK]

Now that I'm living with family for the first time in 10 years so cooking will be handled by others, this will be the year I'm going to attempt to maintain going to the gym during the fast.

Ramadan Kareem everyone!
I'm not too worried about fasting, but tarabi is going to kill me, even with only 8 I'll get about four hours to sleep on weekdays, two after tarabi and two after sahri. I guess I need to find a way to cut sahri down from an hour to half an hour and I guess I'll use my work lunch period to nap. lol
Wonder if I should just burn through all my leave.

Do you drive to work? I know a lot of brothers that went to sleep in their car during their lunch breaks to get some extra shut eye. I use public transportation to work so I don't have that luxury.

And if it's a huge issue take my advice and pray Tarawee yourself. It's not a mandatory act of worship. As a non-arabic speaker. I started praying my own tarawee prayers myself and before praying I'd read up the translations of every Surah I would read to make the most out of it. And if it's a Surah I don't have memorized, I'd read it while holding the Mus'haf in front of me. Before when I used to attend the prayers @ the mosque I'd just be doing the ritualistic motions while mostly daydreaming. Personally it felt like I didn't make any difference spiritually or mentally. You'll be saving a load of time from the commutes + shorter prayer lengths.

If I could I would love to follow along the Tarawee with a translation in my hand but these South-Asian community mosques carry out Tarawee prayers like they're in a race. Everything the Imam is saying is so incoherent it's personally impossible to follow.

 

[Sch1sm]

I mean, it's in the OP. I guess I'll be more specific.

It's probably not necessary. That poster doesn't really care to read, they think Islam is entirely archaic.

 

[The Artisan]

This is also a month where I try to stop getting high every single day, although it's so accessible now I wonder if I'll be able to practice self control

 

[guggnichso]

I mean, it's in the OP. I guess I'll be more specific.

I did not see it in the Op. Maybe you might want to point me to it. I don't see any advice about contacting your physician in the op.

 

[Sch1sm]

I did not see it in the Op. Maybe you might want to point me to it. I don't see any advice about contacting your physician in the op.

That's because you don't need to contact a physician, unless you have some preexisting conditions. Fasting is safe.

 

[Bremsstrahlung]

Ramadan mubarak, all.

Man, I'm living in Austria this year, and 18-hour fasts are quite a bit longer longer than I'm used to. The nearest mosque is also like 20 mins away by public transport, so I won't be able to do taraweh as often.

 

[Messofanego]

Resources and ways you can participate can go here:

Masjid al-Rabia, a women-centered, LGBTQIA+ affirming pluralist organization in Chicago, is collecting donations that will go directly towards Ramadan Care Packages for incarcerated LGBTQ Muslims.

PM me if there's something you would like to add!

Do they take UK currency? If not, I would love to know a UK or European LGBT Muslim charity to donate to.

 

[MastaKilla]

Ramadan Mubarak!

I'm really excited about Ramadan this year, but also a bit nervous. I have a major job interview next week and i'll be fasting so i'm afraid my brain will be a mess. I've also been finally working out and exercising again and have lost 15 pounds. I'm 15 more away from my goal i'm going to have to try and figure out a way to maintain during Ramadan.

 

[Ashes]

Do not abstain from drinking water during daylight without consulting your physician beforehand. If you are over the age of 50 or under the age of 10, do not abstain from drinking water during daylight at all.

EDIT: While the OP referred to this as the "real hunger games", this is no game at all, but a very dangerous behaviour depending on where you live and what you do during the day. If you are elderly or very young, you should DEFINITELY not stop drinking water during the day. This could potentially be a deadly behaviour, ESPECIALLY for children in hot climates.

Water actually isn't the issue. It's diabetes.

 

[Septic360]

I'm excited for it but also nervous; gonna be so hard this year with long fasts, hit blazing weather and NO COFFEE AT WORK!

Work is gonna suck hard but hey, small price to pay.

 

[RK9039]

Do not abstain from drinking water during daylight without consulting your physician beforehand. If you are over the age of 50 or under the age of 10, do not abstain from drinking water during daylight at all.

EDIT: While the OP referred to this as the "real hunger games", this is no game at all, but a very dangerous behaviour depending on where you live and what you do during the day. If you are elderly or very young, you should DEFINITELY not stop drinking water during the day. This could potentially be a deadly behaviour, ESPECIALLY for children in hot climates.

Thank you for your advise. I will contact my physician sheikh google to cure my dangerous behaviour.

 

[Alex_Mexico]

How does a Muslim in, say, Iceland manages his or her fasting since that up north during the summer the sun could set as late as 10pm and rise as early as 4am?

 

[guggnichso]

That's because you don't need to contact a physician, unless you have some preexisting conditions. Fasting is safe.

You do not know if you have "some preexisting conditions" until you contact your physician. Fasting is safe for healthy adults, not for everyone.

 

[Septic360]

How does a Muslim in, say, Iceland manages his or her fasting since that up north during the summer the sun could set as late as 10pm and rise as early as 4am?

They die

 

[RK9039]

How does a Muslim in, say, Iceland manages his or her fasting since that up north during the summer the sun could set as late as 10pm and rise as early as 4am?

They use a time machine.

 

[guggnichso]

Thank you for your advise. I will contact my physician sheikh google to cure my dangerous behaviour.

This is not about 20something millenial people. But fuck it, my intentions here were obviously entirely misunderstood.

I am a biologist, working in cancer research at the Erlangen Hautklinik in Germany. For reference, fasting is generally safe for healthy adults, but reducing your water intake is NOT SAFE for everyone, especially in hot weather. Ridicule me all you want, I'm out of here.

 

[Sch1sm]

You do not know if you have "some preexisting conditions" until you contact your physician. Fasting is safe for healthy adults, not for everyone.

You would if you went to a doctor at least for a physical annually and go to one whenever you have x issue arise. Not sure why anything would be different on the eve of Ramadan, or if you fast regularly. If a person has an issue while fasting, they'll discontinue. Like I told you in my list earlier, there are exemptions. If something comes up, they don't need to continue. If something is already problematic, they don't need to, full stop.

Nothing you're pushing right now is contributing to discussion. If you have any questions, we're happy to answer them, but if your only grievance is that we aren't advertising for people to go to their doctors before deciding to fast? Move on.

How does a Muslim in, say, Iceland manages his or her fasting since that up north during the summer the sun could set as late as 10pm and rise as early as 4am?

Ask Numb.

 

[bwakh]

it's not just self restraint, it's general resentment towards this time of the year, every year. my Muslim friends get pissed at how much trash talk I do about Ramadan but it doesn't change how I feel.

Hmmm, you have your reasons for that i'm sure. I hope that changes for you. Best of luck. I'm generally not one to get friendly with gaffers but if there is stuff you want to discuss i'm up for it.

 

[Kisaya]

I did not see it in the Op. Maybe you might want to point me to it. I don't see any advice about contacting your physician in the op.

It said sick people, travelers, and women in certain conditions don't have to fast. I added children and the elderly since they usually don't fast either and to clarify your concerns. Typically most Muslims visit their physician before participating in the fast if they reach a certain age or have any illnesses.

 

[RustyNails]

This is not about 20something millenial people. But fuck it, my intentions here were obviously entirely misunderstood.

I am a biologist, working in cancer research at the Erlangen Hautklinik in Germany. For reference, fasting is generally sage for healthy adults, but reducing your water intake is NOT SAFE for everyone, especially in hot weather. Ridicule me all you want, I'm out of here.

I'm sorry you felt offended and I understand the health risk. Fasting is an article of faith and people take it seriously. But the truth is lot of people do stay hydrated during the night time. Your advice is absolutely helpful. If you chug gallons of water at night you wont feel headaches or lethargic during fasting.

 

[m_shortpants]

A fellow girl gaffer brought it to my attention when I had just moved to Chicago Unfortunately all their events always fall on a work thing so I haven't been able to get involved yet... but hopefully this summer I will have an opportunity to attend one of their meetings.

Have you ever been to the Ta'leef Collective? They have a space in Chicago. It's wonderful.

 

[Kisaya]

Do they take UK currency? If not, I would love to know a UK or European LGBT Muslim charity to donate to.

I know they accept online donations, so possibly!

Have you ever been to the Ta'leef Collective? They have a space in Chicago. It's wonderful.

I haven't, I'll look into it!

 

[The Artisan]

Hmmm, you have your reasons for that i'm sure. I hope that changes for you. Best of luck. I'm generally not one to get friendly with gaffers but if there is stuff you want to discuss i'm up for it.

sure. if there's anything that crosses my mind itching to be talked about, i'll bring it up in this thread.

i think i have talked with you before in the yakuza 0 OT?

 

[bwakh]

sure. if there's anything that crosses my mind itching to be talked about, i'll bring it up in this thread.

i think i have talked with you before in the yakuza 0 OT?

Sounds great.

Yes indeed

This is also a month where I try to stop getting high every single day, although it's so accessible now I wonder if I'll be able to practice self control

A joint an hour or two iftari has been my modus operandi for several years now. Can't stop but use is definitely less during Ramadan.

 

[The Artisan]

Sounds great.

Yes indeed



A joint an hour or two iftari has been my modus operandi for several years now. Can't stop but use is definitely less during Ramadan.

LOL

is that an hour or two before or after iftar? my modus operandi is just being a pothead but giving Ramadan a reason to stop for 30 days.

For the past 3 years now I've pulled it off but last year right on Eid I blazed it up after work.

 

[AKyemeni]

Working afternoons until iftar in NYC is the best. Staying up till 4 and going to sleep till 4 is great.

Taraweeh also feels enlightening, especially with family and such.

The fasting is no real big deal for me, as in not that difficult.

 

[MastaKilla]

I'm excited for it but also nervous; gonna be so hard this year with long fasts, hit blazing weather and NO COFFEE AT WORK!

Work is gonna suck hard but hey, small price to pay.

Yeah, the no coffee is brutal for me, especially the first week. I usually get some headaches the first few days, i start getting into the swing of things by week two though.