Ramadan - a fine time of atonement?

Question

Hi>
I am a Christian by faith, yet when working and living in The Sultanate of Oman for many a year, I respected the month.
A fine idea & belief, and most happy to comply as a "guest" in the country. Although admit to taking a two week leave, as the bars were pretty much shut.
Lent, we call it, as an equivelant so I stay out of pubs.
A time to reflect on oneself.
Fine in my book, and the Koran.
Comments from those of the Islamic faith most welcome.
Bob.

Answer 1

The fact that in this day especially with everything against Islam you have been able to show tolerance for the religion is brilliant. I wish there were more people like you in the world.

Answer 2

Ive been trying to find common grounds in faith practice among christians and muslims so I need to thank you for introducing the info about lent.

Ive never heard of it before, and the fact that it is an imitation of jesus's retreat into the mountains is an amazing truth that speaks for itself.

Jesus was truly on the right path and he is truly a great example for people of the faith.

We must study the prophets and messengers of God and study how they lived their lives in the hope that we may receive the same kind of closeness they had with God.

Im also happy that our brothers in Oman have been doing their best to spend ramadan in such a way that it would show examples for others who did not know about Islam.

Thank you

Answer 3

I hope comments from non-muslims are also welcome.

I also think the idea of Ramadan is fine, but like the sabbath laws in Biblical times, it is abused and falls harder on the poor than on the rich. I also do not like it the way some Muslims always want to tell people that they are fasting.
I have lived in in a town in Kenya which is about about 60p.c. muslim for ten years and have seen and experienced many happenings that make me hold this opinion. For example passing a mosque in daytime during the month of Ramadan and seeing a large number of people sleeping, talking in groups reading scriptures, etc. Obviously, these are people who don't have to work for a living, at least not during the day time. Conversely I have seen a man cutting blocks out of the ground
from fossilised coral, sweating in the heat of the African sun. A Muslim friend proudly told me that this man was obliged to keep the fast, not even a drop of water. He did not look too happy.
Many people here who live near Muslim families dread Ramaddan as it means a month of restless nights as they listen to their Muslim neighbours cooking, washing the pots ready for the next meal, chatting and laughing and watching videos until the time comes when they can go to bed to sleep the day, and the fast, away.
I understand from a Muslim friend who has moved to the Yemen that the city virtually closes down during the day and there is hardly a soul in sight, Yet after sunset it comes alive. People flocking around, most of the shops, restaurants, cyber cafes, etc. are open and doing normal business.
Finally, I have an acquaintance who has employees here, some of whom are Muslims. The Muslims come to her for a loan just before Ramadan which they need because the living expenses are higher during that time. For example, there are always special tasty tpes of food and things like dates available on little stalls along the streets during the month of Ramaddan which are not available at other times of the year.

All this has made me rather cynical, but I must be fair and admit that my experiences do not represent a majority. and there must be millions of Muslims who take it seriously. But if they admit to themselves that there is, what must amount to considerable abuse and pretence going on, they would not make such a fuss about their fast.

Answer 4

Good sense and an excellent approach. Obviously you are a good person. I will not go into your religion it is between yourself and your God, but I must say that what ever it is you show and respect the values of tolerance which are keystones to real faith.

Answer 5

Ramadhan is a month in which the beginning is rahmat(blessings), middle filled with maghfirah(forgiveness) and the last part of it is the time to make ourselves further from hell... you can always ask for forgiveness from god, but you must be honest.. I am sad that the month is over, but I am quite happy that I dont have to fast anymore

Answer 6

Yeah its a superb time for atonement , even we muslims who commit sins change our self after this month

This month is better than a thousand months

Thanks for the comments

God bless u

Answer 7

Your mobile phone can keep working till the battery runs out of charge and you need to charge it. This is exactly what Ramadan is to the muslim; time to recharge your soul woth spiritual and religious energy to keep going for the coming 11 months till it is Ramadan again.

I am glad your experience in the Middle East is positive and welcome to a muslim Arab country, though not mine :)

Peace

Answer 8

What possible spiritual point is there in starving yourself all day and then stuffing your face at night!! you can reflect upon yourself and life as easily with a full stomach as with an empty one!! Perhaps a lot of muslims would like to reflect upon the fact that exploding bombs and flying planes into buidlings is not what God/Allah wants mankind to do. Religions should be about tolerance and peace.....not Jihad!

Answer 9

Hi, thanks for the view. I've always thought that Ramadan and lent were quite similar, I'm glad you managed to get something out of Ramadan as well.

Answer 10

Why, thank you.

Oman is a nice place.