I know that if you are sick or can't fast, then it is okay, but what if you are in good health and choose not to fast? Do muslims think god will punish them or something? And also, why can't you have water while fasting? Water is free and you have to have it to live, so why be deprived of it while fasting? My husband is Muslim and gets very defensive when I ask these questions. I just don't understand the whole fasting thing.
2006-09-22 03:11:42 · 16 answers · asked by Virginia Gal 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, I'm glad you ask and I really wish he was more knowledgable on the subject to be able to answer you without getting upset, lol.
Both water and food are required for life, we need both to live; which is why we do not fast for a whole month straight. We only fast from sunrise to sunset, the hardest time of day to fast. We're sleeping at night so we don't really feel it like we do during the day, when we're working, in school, moving about... The whole purpose of fasting is not only to show your dedication to God, but to also place yourselves in the shoes of the poor; to feel what it's like without food and water, and to know the pain of hunger and thirst. This, in turn, softens the heart towards the poor, and in most cases encourages those with means to give more to the poor. If Islam had it's way, without interruption of political greed and such, not a poor person would exist on earth. He would be taken care of by his fellow believers.
So when it comes to fasting, what would happen if we chose not to? Well, to begin with, every Muslim considers Ramadan a month of blessings, where, with proper intentions, sins are forgiven and it's a way to start out fresh. Missing out on Ramadan means you're leaving behind these blessings. The Quran says "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you so that you may learn Taqwa (piety)" (2 : 183). This is an excellent page on Ramadan http://www.shariahway.com/ramadan/
I couldn't really find anything on what happens if you intentionally do not fast in Ramadan, and I've never heard anything regarding the subject, so I don't really know, other than missing out on all the blessings and opportunities to get closer to the Creator. So I'm sorry for that, but I hope the other information helps you out!
Happy Ramadan!
2006-09-22 03:32:13 · answer #1 · answered by hayaa_bi_taqwa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During fasting no food or drink is allowed..this is the fasting God decided for us and we can't change it anymore..then we can eat and drink whatever we like during night..Fasting helps you to train yourself on obeying to God's will whatever he asks from you..if you can stand hunger and thurst for some hours than you can stand the hard times in your life and the difficulties you face in your way for spreading this religion..It is a test how can you obey to God and to be honest with yourself..I can go drink water when no one can see me but I don't because I'm fasting for God and not for the people around.
And yes God will punish Muslims who don't fast in Ramadan without an excuse..just like when a Muslim doesn't perform the prayers...
Tell your husband to have some patience and to be a good conductor for God's message because it is a must for every Muslim to tell people about the truth of this nobel religion.
2006-09-22 03:31:59 · answer #2 · answered by mido 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Muslims by definition have to perform prayers, fasting, and pay charity. If they don't, then they are not real Muslims and yes they will be asked about that by Allah. However, fasting is not requested in certain conditions. In my own view and most Muslims we find fasting excellent opportunity to know the value of certain blessings like water. As you said water is free and available and it is one of the most important blessings that you forget its value all the time but when you fast you will realize how good and delicious water is.
2006-09-22 03:26:13 · answer #3 · answered by lukman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
DONT LISTEN TO THEM THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST ISLAM
2006-09-22 03:24:01 · answer #4 · answered by ARSH 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when u fast and not drinking water or eat food all the day u will remember how many ppl live in a poor country .. they stay days with out water ..
and when u break ur fast and drink the water u going to see that ur living in a blessing and grace then u thanking the GOD for this ..
i recommend for u to ask ur husband 2 give u an Islamic books .. try to understand ur husband religion and u going to like it :)
2006-09-22 03:34:32 · answer #5 · answered by Alone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ramadan is a great blessing of Allah 4 muslims---it actually makes us pure ---- n stops us from many COMMON sins(errors)-its just not good not to fast without any reason .its the will of Allah---y sud we miss a golden chance to pure ourself ?we muslims do think that we ll b punished if we dont keep fasting without any reason just like ppl of other religions think that they will b punished if they dont abide by the comands of their GOD. FAST means a complete fast---no water no meal .water is free but we r bound sis---thats wot fasting means -----to experince a little pain 4 a lots of blessings
2006-09-22 03:24:08 · answer #6 · answered by PaLe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is 5 main thing in islam you MUST do for paradise frist be muslim second pray 5 prayers a day third zakat forth FASTING in ramadan fifth Haj for who's can phiscly and if you have enogh money .. so yes allah will punish who dont fast .. you wont die without water for have day .. fasting it is about holding your soul from enjoing forbiding things that you can enjoy them in paradise so you even fast from the bad words .
2006-09-22 03:32:25 · answer #7 · answered by curlia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When u fast, u neither drink nor eat anything. U must fast in Ramadan. if u r an adult and in good position to be able to fast and u do not, for man i think u have to keep a large amount of fasting after Ramadan. if not do that and not even ask forgiveness to Allah, u may be punished in hell.
2006-09-22 03:16:31 · answer #8 · answered by erfan912 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it is God command, of course He will punish u in the hereafter if u dont follow it without any obvious reason, unless u repent maybe God will hav mercy.
Water, not everywhere u can get it free,
how bout the ethiopia people, or somewhere in the hot and dry poor african countries.
2006-09-22 03:16:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends where on earth you are.
Young Muslims from Malaysia flee to Singapore for the month of Ramadan. Back home, they would be publickly flogged if caught eating.
2006-09-22 03:14:47 · answer #10 · answered by Ever Learn 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋