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Eid ul-Fitr

2009-07-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

عيد الفطر Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast)
Also called	Eid, "Ramadan Eid", "Smaller Eid"; Idul Fitri, Hari Lebaran (Indonesia); Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Lebaran, Aidilfitri (Malaysia); Riyoyo, Riyayan, Ngaidul Fitri (Javanese); Rojar Eid (Bangladesh); Ramazan Bayramı (Turkic); Korite (Senegal); Sallah (Hausa); Kochnay Akhtar (کوچنی اختر) (Pashto); Eid-e-Sayed Fitr (Persian);Choti Eid (Urdu);Ramazanski Bajram (Bosnian); Cejna Remezanê (Kurdish)
Observed by	Muslims around the world, as well as non-Muslims in Muslim majority areas
Type	Islamic
Significance	End of Ramadan
Date	1 Shawwal (celebrations continue until the 3rd)
2008 date	30 September-1 October
2009 date	20 September
2010 date	10 September
Celebrations	festive family meals, gift giving
Observances	Congregational prayer, giving charity, wearing new clothes, eating sweet foods. Kids usually get gifts or money.
Related to	Ramadan, Eid ul-Adha

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Islam Portal v • d • e

Eid ul-Fitr or Id-ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr‎), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "to break the fast" (and can also mean "nature", from the word "fitrah"); and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated starting on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

Eid ul-Fitr is a three day celebration and is sometimes also known as the "Smaller Eid" (Arabic: العيد الصغير al-‘īdu ṣ-ṣaghīr‎) as compared to the Eid ul-Adha that lasts four days and is called the "Greater Eid" (Arabic: العيد الكبير al-‘īdu l-kabīr‎).

Muslims are commanded by the Qur'an to complete their fast on the last day of Ramadan and then recite the Takbir all throughout the period of Eid^{[Qur'an 2:185 (Translated by Shakir)]}.

General rituals

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Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting ‘Īd mubārak ("Blessed Eid") or ‘Īd sa‘īd ("Happy Eid"). In addition, many countries have their own greetings based on local language and traditions.

Typically, Muslims wake up early in the morning and have a small breakfast (as a sign of not being on a fast on that day) of preferably the date fruit, before attending a special Eid prayer (salah) that is performed in congregation at mosques or open areas like fields, squares etc. Muslims are encouraged to dress in their best clothes (new if possible) to attend the Eid prayer. No adhan or iqama is to be pronounced for this Eid prayer, and it consists of only two raka'ahs. The Eid prayer is followed by the khutbah (sermon) and then a supplication (dua') asking for forgiveness, mercy and help for all living beings across the world. The khutbah also instructs Muslims as to the performance of rituals of Eid, such as the zakat.^[1] It is then customary to embrace the persons sitting on either side of oneself, whilst greeting them. After the prayers, people also visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances^[2] and some people also pay visits to the graveyards (ziyarat al-qubur).^[2]

The Takbir and other Rituals

The Takbir is recited after confirmation that the moon of Shawwal is sighted on the eve of the last day of Ramadan. It continues until the start of the Eid prayer. Before the Eid prayer begins, every Muslim who is able must pay Zakat al-fitr,^[3] an alms for the month of Ramadan. This equates to about 2 kg of a basic foodstuff (wheat, barley, dates, raisins, etc.), or its cash equivalent, and is typically collected at the mosque. This is distributed to needy local Muslims prior to the start of the Eid prayer. It can be given at any time during the month of Ramadan and is often given early, so the recipient can use it for Eid purchases. This is distinct from Zakat based on wealth, which must be paid to a worthy charity. The Takbir consists of:

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar	الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر	laa ilaaha illAllaah	لا إله إلا الله	Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar	الله أكبر الله أكبر
wa li-illaahil-hamd	ولله الحمد

God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest,

There is no deity but God

God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest

and to God goes all praise

Islamic tradition

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting of Ramadan. This has to do with the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community. Fasting is believed by some scholars to extol fundamental distinctions, lauding the power of the spiritual realm, while acknowledging the subordination of the physical realm.^[2]

The Islamic tradition also associates events with the occasion. For example, on Eid al-Fitr, the angel Gabriel descended with white clothes for each of prophet Muhammad's grandsons.^[4]

Practices by country

United Kingdom

There is a Khutbah (speech) in which the Imam gives advice to the Muslim community and usually Muslims are encouraged to end any past animosities they may have. He then goes on to the khutbah and then the prayer itself. When the local imam declares Eid ul-Fitr everyone greets and hugs each other. As Eid ul-Fitr is not a recognised public holiday in the United Kingdom, Muslims are obliged to attend the morning prayer. In a large ethnically Muslim area, normally schools and local businesses give exemptions to the Muslim community to take three days off. In the rest of the UK it is not recognised as it is not on a fixed date as it is decided by the sighting of the moon on the night before.

During the morning, men (mainly South Asian) usually wear Thobe, Jubba, Sharwani or Punjabi, and women usually wear shalwar kameez. Men head to the mosque for the Eid prayers, after which people greet each other. After this many will go to a local cemetery to pay respect and to remember the deceased. When they return home they will greet the family and friend and also other Muslims and visit relatives across the city. People cook traditional food for their relatives. Dishes such as Samosas, Simeya,Rice and Handesh are particularly popular.

North America

North American Muslims typically celebrate the day in a quiet way. Because the day depends on the sighting of the moon, often families are not aware that the next day will be Eid until the night before. Most check with members of the community to see if the moon has been sighted by anyone. Different methods for determining the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal are used in each particular community. Because the day is determined by the natural phenomenon of sighting the crescent moon, North Americans on the eastern coast of the continent may celebrate Eid on a different day than those on the western coast.

The end of Ramadan is announced via e-mail, postings on websites, or chain phone calls to all members of a Muslim community. Working persons usually attempt to make arrangements for a lighter work day on the days that may possibly be the Eid day, but many North American Muslims are often noted to not be able to take the entire day off.

North American Muslims usually wake early, have a small breakfast and attend mosques for the Eid prayers.

Since many North American Muslims are immigrants, traditions described below may be celebrated by immigrants of these countries in their respective homes in North America.

New York City's iconic Empire State Building was lit in green in honor of Eid-al-Fitr from October 12-14, 2007. [1]

India

India celebrates it with open hearts. The most favourite places at this time is generally Jama Masjid, New Delhi. People can be spotted in thousands in numbers, with all excitement it needs to make this day.

Turkey

Traditional Bayram wishes from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, stating "Love and Be Loved", in the form of mahya lights stretched across the minarets of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

In the Republic of Turkey, where Ramadan celebrations are infused with more national traditions, and where country-wide celebrations, religious and secular alike, are altogether referred to as Bayram, it is customary for people to greet one another with "Bayramınız Kutlu Olsun" ("May Your Bayram Be Celebrated"), "Mutlu Bayramlar" ("Happy Bayram"), or the more quaint "Bayramınız Mübarek Olsun" (May Your Bayram Be Holy", i.e. "Holy Bayram Upon You"), while enjoying a number of local customs.

Referred to as both Şeker Bayramı ("Bayram of Sweets") or Ramazan Bayramı ("Ramadan Bayram"), Eid in Turkey is a beloved public holiday, where schools and government offices are generally closed for the entire period of the celebrations.

It is a time for people to attend prayer services, put on their best clothes (referred to as "Bayramlık", often purchased just for the occasion) and to visit all their loved ones (such as friends, relatives and neighbors) and pay their respects to the deceased with organized visits to cemeteries, where large, temporary bazaars of flowers, water (for watering the plants adorning a grave), and prayer books are set up for the three-day occasion. The first day of the Bayram is generally regarded as the most important, with all members of the family waking up early, and the men going to their neighborhood mosque for the special Bayram prayer.

It is regarded as especially important to honor elderly citizens by kissing their right hand and placing it on one's forehead while wishing them Bayram greetings. It is also customary for young children to go around their neighborhood, door to door, and wish everyone a happy Bayram, for which they are awarded candy, chocolates, traditional sweets such as Baklava and Turkish Delight, or a small amount of money at every door, in an almost Halloween-like fashion.

Municipalities all around the country organize fundraising events for the poor, in addition to public shows such as concerts or more traditional forms of entertainment such as the Karagöz and Hacivat shadow-theatre and even performances by the Mehter - the Janissary Band that was founded during the days of the Ottoman Empire.

Helping the less fortunate, ending past animosities and making up, organizing breakfasts and dinners for loved ones and putting together neighborhood celebrations are all part of the joyous occasion, where homes and streets are decorated and lit up for the celebrations, and television and radio channels continuously broadcast a variety of special Bayram programs, which include movie specials, musical programming and celebratory addresses from celebrities and politicians alike.

Iran

In the predominantly Shia culture of Iran, Eid is a highly personal event, and celebrations are often more muted. Called Eyde Fetr by most Iranians, charity is important on that day. Public Eid prayers are held in every Mosque and in public places. Visiting the elderly and gathering with families and friends is also very common. Typically, each Muslim family gives food to those in need. Payment of fitra or fetriye is obligatory for each Muslim.

Often meat or Kurbani (literally translated as sacrifice, for it is usually a young lamb or calf that is sacrificed for the occasion), which is an expensive food item in Iran, will be given by those in wealthier families to those who have less. The offering of meat is generally a part of the Eid-ul-Azha celebrations and sacrifices (Kurbani) are generally not given during the Eid-ul-fitr celebrations.

South Asia

In Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the night before Eid is called Chand Raat, which means, night of the moon. People often visit bazaars and shopping malls, with their families and children, for last minute Eid shopping. Women, especially young girls, often paint each others' hands with traditional "henna" and wear colourful bangles.

During Eid, the traditional greeting is Eid Mubarak, and frequently also includes a formal embrace. Gifts are frequently given -- new clothes are traditional -- and it is also common for children to be given small sums of money (Eidi) by their elders.

After the Eid prayers, it is common for families to visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of departed family members.

Special celebratory dishes in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Fiji include sivayyan, a dish of fine, toasted sweet vermicelli noodles with milk & dried fruit.^[5] In Bangladesh, the dish is called shemai.

Some people also avail themselves of this opportunity to distribute Zakat, the Islamic obligatory alms tax on one's wealth, to the needy.

It is common for children to "salam" parents and adult relatives, they usually get money from the adult relative, if the family is middle class or wealthy.

Southeast Asia

Main article: Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Eid Ul-Fitr meal, Malaysia

In Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Eid is also commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri,Hari Otak, Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya literally means 'Day of Celebration' i.e. 'The Day'. Muslims in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Eid like other Muslims throughout the world. It is the biggest holiday in Indonesia and Malaysia and is the most awaited one. Shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Hari Raya, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country. Many banks, government and private offices are closed for this holiday, which usually lasts a week.

The night before Eid is with the takbir which is held in the mosques or musallas. In many parts of Indonesia as well as Malaysia, especially in rural areas, pelita or panjut (oil lamps) are lit up in house compounds. Eid also witnesses a huge migratory pattern of Muslims, from big metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is known as balik kampung or pulang kampung in Indonesian — literally going back to home town to celebrate Eid with one's parents. Special dishes like ketupat, dodol, lemang (a type of glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo) and other Indo-Malay delicacies are served during this day.

It is common to greet people with "Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri" or "Salam Aidilfitri" which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "maaf lahir dan batin" in Indonesian and "maaf zahir dan batin" in Malaysian, which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)", because Eid ul-Fitr is not only for celebrations but also the time for Muslims to cleanse their sins and strengthen their ties with relatives and friends.

It is customary for Indonesians and Malays to wear traditional cultural outfits on the Eid. The outfit for men is called baju melayu or baju koko in Indonesia which is worn together with kain samping (made out of songket) and songkok (a dark coloured headgear); in Indonesia the men will usually wear pants with similar color to the shirt or (normal black pants) and a (black head cover called) [Peci]. The women in Indonesia and Malaysia wear what is known as baju kurung and baju kebaya. It is also common to see non-Malay Muslims wear costumes of their culture.

Once the prayer is completed, it is also common for Muslims in Indonesia and Malaysia to visit the graves of loved ones. During this visit, they clean the grave, recite Ya-Seen, a chapter (surah) from the Qur'an and also perform the tahlil ceremony. All these are done to ask for God to forgive the dead and also those who are living.

The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or serving visitors. Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day for children for on this day adults are especially generous. Children will be given token sums of money, also known as "duit raya," from their parents or elders.^[6]^[7]

In Indonesia there is a special ritual called halal bi-halal. During this, Indonesians visit their elders, in the family, the neighborhood, or their work, and show respect to them. They will also seek reconciliation (if needed), and preserve or restore harmonious relations.^[8]

Philippines

Philippines, with a majority Christian population, has recognized Eid ul-Fitr as a regular holiday by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177 and signed on November 13, 2002. The law was enacted in deference to the Filipino Muslim community and to promote peace among major religions in the Philippines. The first public holiday was set on December 6, 2002.

China

In China, out of 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated by 10 ethnic groups that practice Islam which amount to 18 million of the total population according to official statistics. It is also a public holiday in China in certain regions, including two province prefecture level regions, Ningxia and Xinjiang. All residents in these areas are entitled of either a one-day or three-day holiday. Whereas outside the Muslim regions, only Muslims have a one-day holiday. In Xinjiang particularly, Eid ul-Fitr is even celebrated by Han Chinese population during which holiday supply such as mutton and beef is distributed to households as part of welfare scheme by government agencies, public and private institutions or businesses.

In the Yunnan province, Muslims are spread throughout the region. On Eid ul-Fitr, however, they travel to Sayyid 'Ajjal's grave, after their communal prayers. First there are readings from the Qur'an, then the tomb is cleaned (reminiscent of the historic annual Chinese Qingming festival in which people go their ancestors' graves, sweep and clean the area and then make food offerings). Finally the accomplishments of the Sayyid 'Ajall are told. In conclusion, a special service is held to honor the hundreds of thousands of Muslims killed during the Qing dynasty, and the hundreds killed during the Cultural Revolution.^[9]

Africa

South Africa

In Cape Town, hundreds of people gather at Green Point for the sighting of the moon on the last day of Ramadan each year. The gathering brings together people from all walks of life, and everyone comes with something to share with others at the time of breaking the fast. The Magrib prayer is then conducted and the sighting of the moon is announced thereafter.

The Day of Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated by first attending the Mosque for Eid prayer. This is followed by visiting neighbours and family. Children receive presents and money from elder members of the family, relatives and neighbours. Most people wear new clothes with bright colours, while biscuits, cakes, samoosas, pies and tarts are presented to visitors as treats. Lunch is usually served in large family groups.

In the Gregorian calendar

How Anorexia Could Have Contributed To Michael Jackson's Death by Irina Webster

2009-07-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

Autopsy report revealed that at the time of death Michael Jackson weighted just 50 kilograms which is very low for a man his height and age.

Also it was said that his body was covered with marks from injections of pain killers. He had no hair and wore a wig before his death. His stomach was absolutely empty except of partially dissolved drugs which he took a few hours before his final moment. According to medical professionals Michael survived on one small meal a day and a regime of painkiller's injections and other drugs. The injected painkiller is believed to be pethidine, which were administered three times a day. Michael also was taking a cocktail of different drugs daily.

Jackson's use of painkillers has been linked to a burning accident on set while filming a 1984 Pepsi commercial. He was treated for painkiller addiction at a clinic in 1993.

How Anorexia Could Have Contributed to the death of Michael Jackson?

1.It is most likely that Michael died from the cardiac arrest which was caused by high dose of prescription drugs. When medications like strong pain killers, antidepressants and relaxants are taken in excess or in combination - they kill people causing respiratory and heart failure.

Also, these medications spread around the body, get absorbed by fat and muscles tissue. This means that the bigger person can tolerate higher dose of drugs, but light skinny person can tolerate only small amount of the drugs.

In Michael Jackson's case his body weight was only about 50 kilograms but he was taking the amount of drugs that would be too high even for a person twice as heavy as Michael. He had no fat and not enough muscle tissue to absorb that amount of drugs.

It is possible that if he had more weight he would not have died that quickly because the fat tissue would have absorb some of the drugs. In this respect anorexia did contributed to the Michael's sudden death.

2.It is reported that Michael Jackson had "poor health" for years before his death. By "poor health" they meant his general weakness, lethargy, not eating properly looking for "quick fixes", like drugs. It looks like all these symptoms also related to anorexia. Anorexia became his friend and was the way he coped with life.

The only question remains how all the qualified medical professionals who were looking after Michael didn't see all the bad things coming. Why was it still acceptable to feed Michael drugs instead of taking care of his nutrition, his spiritual and emotional health?

Why is it acceptable in our society when a person has emotional problems or coping problem , we think it is OK to give him a hand full of drugs. If the hand full of drugs does not help - give them an injection of drugs on the top of what he is already taking?

Why do doctors still continue to promote and prescribe treatments that can eventually kill the sufferer?

This makes you think that if celebrities are treated like this ("drug them out" technique) what treatment can be expected for non-celebrities?

Why is it that many medical professionals force people to believe that "the quick fix" medicines are the way people should be treated?

Haven't we had enough wake up calls in the last a few years? Heath Ledger , now Michael Jackson has died from the same over use of prescription drugs. Who will be the next victim of the modern "quick fix" medicine?

Pharmaceutical companies keep pushing there drugs and they do everything to protect the notion that drugs are the only way. They even hire researchers and scientists to do studies for them but the result of these studies are always screwed towards the results the drug companies want to promote: many times little things like they can kill you are never mentioned.

Medical text books (the one doctor's study in medical schools) are written in accordance with the research that pharmaceutical companies do, so they completely control the media and literature.

Doctors go through many years of studies and have to pass extremely difficult medical exams but they get programmed to believe in what they are taught is the truth. Dogmatism still prevails in medicine, doctors are given a roadmap to follow and as long as the doctor does everything according to the written rules they are safe from prosecution, even if something happens to the patient.

But the written rules about the use of drugs, doses of drugs, combination of drugs now need a full revision on how they should be used. The whole medical system needs to be revised otherwise more and more people will continue to die needlessly, like Michael Jackson.

Now the drug companies are all excited about inventing a drug to treat anorexia. Apparently some research was done and they found a strong genetic link for developing anorexia so the race is on for an anti anorexia drug to sell and making millions of course too.

Anorexia does have a genetic predisposition but it is only the vulnerability of a person to develop anorexia that can be inherited: not the disease itself. Any vulnerability can turn into a disease but only if the right circumstances prevail. If a person with a predisposition is exposed to certain environmental triggers like stress, emotional or physical abuse, grief, sadness etc: then there is a chance of developing a disease.

For example, if Michael Jackson didn't have a difficult childhood, emotional abuse from all the people who were constantly trying to steal his money he may never have developed anorexia. But because he probably had a genetic vulnerability and circumstances plus environmental factors occurred at the same time he contracted this horrible disease called anorexia.

To conclude, I want to say that I feel very sorry for Michael and that he has died so early. But I would really like his death to be a wake up call for a long slumbering society to realise that drugs are not always the solution.

Hopefully doctors and more medical professionals change their attitude to a patient's treatment and start looking at a holistic treatment approach and not just follow the medical textbooks that are not always accurate.

Everyone should be aware about the modern day drug overuse and be very careful in choosing the right treatment if problems arrive.

"First, do not harm" is a major part of the Hippocratic Oath but it is often forgotten by modern medical professionals.

RAMADHAN

2009-07-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Ramadan

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Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎) (also written Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan) is an Islamic religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; the month in which the Qur'an, according to tradition, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from true dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, modesty and sprituality. Ramaḍān is a time to fast for the sake of Allah, and to offer more prayer than usual. Muslims also believed through good actions, they get rewarded twice than they normally can achieve. During Ramaḍān, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

Ramadan's Name origin

The name "Ramaḍāma" is the name of the ninth month; the word itself derived from an Arabic root rmḍ, as in words like "ramiḍa" or "ar-ramaḍ" denoting intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of rations. It is the most venerated month of the Islamic year. Prayers, fasting, charity and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramaḍān are kept throughout the month.

Laylat al-Qadr, considered the most holy night of the year, is the night in which the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammed, the "Night of the Power".^[1] Muslims believe it to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramaḍān, either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th (in Sunni thought) or the 19th, 21st or 23rd (in Shi'a thought). Ramaḍān ends with Eid ul-Fitr, with much celebration and feasts. During the month following Ramaḍān, called Shawwal, Muslims are encouraged to fast for a further six days, known as as-Sitta al-Bayḍ, or "the white six." This is Ramadan. Ramadan not only teaches patience, but also enlightens Muslims as to how poor people feel. When fasting is over, Muslims go to Mosques in new clothes to pray the first Eid prayer. They give out presents to the young ones and greet their friends and families. They then thank Allah (God) for what he has given them.

Practices during Ramaḍān

Fasting

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The most prominent event of this month is fasting. Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat Sahur, the pre-dawn meal, then they perform the fajr prayer. They have to stop eating and drinking before the call for prayer starts until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set until the next morning's fajr prayer call. Then the process starts all over.

Ramadān is a time of reflecting and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual thoughts and activities during fasting hours are also forbidden.^{[Qur'an 2:187]} Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness of closeness to God.

The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate. It is also intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable. A certain level of self-control can be lost by those who suffer from eating disorders.^[2]

The elderly, the chronically ill and the insane are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns, all of whom must make up the days they miss at a later date. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavor to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.^{[Qur'an 2:184]} More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 miles in a day as exempt.^[2]. The elderly or those who suffer from a disability or disease and have no prospect of getting better in the future can pay the cost of Eftar for a person who cannot afford it, or else they can host him in their house and have him eat with them after sunset as a way of repaying for the days they could not fast. ^{[Qur'an 2:184]}

A person who is observing Ramadan might break the fast accidentally, due to having forgotten it. In such an instance, one should spit out the food being eaten or cease the forbidden activity, immediately upon remembering the fast.

When Ramadan came to overshadow Ashura in importance, it took on some characteristics of the latter. According to the well-known hadith, the person who observes Ramadan properly will have all their past sins forgiven. According to another, "When Ramadan arrives, Heaven's gates are opened, Hell's gates are closed, and the demons are chained up". ^[3]

[edit] Prayer and reading of the Qur'an

Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Istanbul in Ramaḍān (the writing with lights called mahya)

Fanoos Ramadan, Cairo

Eid Ul-Fitr meal, Malaysia

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (juz, which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.

Ramadān is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment, establishing a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involved the preparing of special foods and inviting people for the Iftar meal (the meal to open the fast).

In many Muslim and non Muslim countries with large Muslim populations, markets close down in the evening to enable people to perform prayers and consume the Iftar meal – these markets then re-open and stay open for a good part of the night. Muslims can be seen shopping, eating, spending time with their friends and family during the evening hours. Failing to fast or openly flaunting such behavior during Ramadan is considered a crime and is prosecuted as such. For instance, in Algeria, in October 2008 the court of Biskra condemned six people to 4 years in prison and heavy fines. ^[4].

[edit] Eid al-Fitr

The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر‎) marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. The Eid falls after 29 or 30 days of fasting, as per the lunar sighting. Eid ul-Fitr means the Festival of Breaking the Fast; a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor (‘Zakat al-Fitr’), everyone puts on their best, usually new, clothes, and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. The prayer is two rakaahs only, and it is an optional prayer as opposed to the compulsory five daily prayers.

Ramadan Manis

A few Turkish Ramadan Manis:

Sahur oldu ışıyor, Bülbüller ötüşüyor, İftara çay deyince, Yüreğim tutuşuyor. -- Sofrada fakir olsun, Tabağı çukur olsun. Karnı doyduktan sonra, Duâyı okur olsun. -- Yün yatakta yatarız, Yapma çiçek satarız, Biraz bekle davulcu, Şimdi bahşiş atarız. ^[5]

References

This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007)

^ Robinson, Neal. Islam; A Concise Introduction. Washington: Curzon Press, 1999.
^ ^a ^b Help for the Heavy at Ramadan Washington Post, 2008/09/27
^ Robinson, Neal. Islam; A Concise Introduction. New Jersey; Curzon Press, 1999.
^ AFP-Arabia.net 7 October 2008, visited dec. 9, 2008.
^ Turkish Ramadan Portal, 2008/09/31

An Indian guy being Killed in Gas Station by gannaaz334

2009-07-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Four black man, ranging in age from approximately 17 to 25,entering the gas station in the early evening and killed Surjeet Singh.It looks like they were familiar with their surroundings. However I will say that this is ridiculous!!! I guess it is time to call FBI.As we have our own thoughts about this heinous crime that have been taking place recently,. Yes, these were four Black man, young thugs in the Gary area who shot and robbed an Indian man Surjeet Singh but this is not a hate crime! Another good working, productive person lost his pricious life to the cultural human cesspool that is Gary. These fools would have done this same act if the man was Black, White, Hispanic, or whatever - they just do not care. Crime does not have a color ,criminals come in all shapes and colors, this happens in all areas throughout Northwest Indiana. So investigators say they will release a surveillance video of four assailants who entered the gas station where Singh, 26, was shot and killed. Any homicide is horrific, but seeing this senseless act on tape definitely makes it worse.

The first suspect is about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds and wearing a black shirt, black pants and white shoes; the second is about 5 feet 9 inches tall weighing about 145 pounds and wearing a red shirt, black shorts and black and red shoes with red shoelaces; the third is about 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds and wearing all black; the fourth man is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds and wearing a red shirt, black shorts and black shoes.

The suspects fled in an older Toyota, dark red or burgundy with no hub caps, police said. The car had a dent on the hood closer to the passenger side and a broken driver's side tail light. Communities need to come together to make peace instead of pointing fingers at one another or blaming the police for not cooperating. The police need the community to speak up to help get these idiots in the Jail. Well I hope these dumb fools get caught since another life has been lost senselessly.. Folks, if these murders are not caught quickly, they will only kill again. Someone, somewhere, knows who these thugs are!

check the video here: http://www.blogin60seconds.blogspot.com

2009-07-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

Can you get smarter? - Yes, you can.

Wouldn't it be useful to be able to quote famous speeches at will or to reach into the vast chasm's of your mind and pull out facts and statistics?

It Is Possible?

After high school and university, we don't put our mind under such intense scrutiny and when this happens we lose intellectual power.

The real key is Work. Yes work, it's hardly glamorous and yet it's the mainstay of a sharp mind. You need to constantly give your mind the work it needs to stay "in shape".

Just like a retired body builder loses muscle mass after he gives up the competitive sport, a mind that stops being used will slowly retire.

What Can We Do?

Train your brain - Find healthy hobbies that require a little cerebral effort such as; word puzzles, sudoku I.Q test or anything that you can take an interest in.

What If We Don't?

Sorry, but it's use it or lose it!

Can We Improve?

Absolutely - If you strengthen the old gray matter then you can improve your mental performance above and beyond what you ever have achieved.

If you want it bad enough you can get smarter and keep the mind you have in sharp, snappy condition.

aziz alwa

Eid ul-Fitr

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

General rituals

The Takbir and other Rituals

Islamic tradition

Practices by country

United Kingdom

North America

India

Turkey

Iran

South Asia

Southeast Asia

Philippines

China

Africa

In the Gregorian calendar

How Anorexia Could Have Contributed To Michael Jackson's Death by Irina Webster

RAMADHAN

Ramadan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Practices during Ramaḍān

Fasting

[edit] Prayer and reading of the Qur'an

[edit] Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan Manis

References

An Indian guy being Killed in Gas Station by gannaaz334