Peace To All,
As my Muslim brothers and sisters and all others who engage in dialogue with me may already know, tomorrow, August 1, 2011 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. I would like to take the time out to wish everyone, not only the Muslims who follow the Holy Quran, but to all who submit to God via all the Prophets and Messengers sent to them who also prescribed fasting as a prescription to ward off evil, we say in the Arabic language, Ramadan Kareem (Happy and Blessed Ramadan).
Ramadan is the month Allah prescribed for the Muslims to fast and read the entire Quran during this blessed time. The term "Ramadan" actually derives from the three letter root "rmd" which signifies "heat". Ramadan means "to burn away". As Muslims, the symbolic meaning of fasting during Ramadan is to burn away the evil and negative characteristics through fasting, reading Quran and God-consciousness. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar year, and therefore shifts in relation to the standard Gregorian calendar year. This year, Ramadan will last from August 1-August 30, 2011 (a total of 30 days).
It is also the month when the Qu'ran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (when the crescent and new moon appeared). During the fasting, smoking, alcohol consumption, nightclub activities, s*xual intercourse, and all forms of gambling are forbidden.
The reason why we as Muslims are instructed to fast for a period of 30 days is because when Jesus was in the world, he was the way, the truth, and the light of the world. So when he passed the world went back into darkness and the word of God was sold for 30 pieces of silver. So Allah revealed the Quran as mercy, and guidance and it was divided into 30 sections so it could be memorized by man and never again would the word of God be sold or lost.
It is the lack of DISCIPLINE that causes us to deviate from the law of God. Those who will not fast will find it very difficult to overcome the gravitational pull of evil. Denying yourself that which is natural helps strengthen you against that which is unnatural. The restrictive laws of God is the friend of the righteous and the enemy of the unrighteous. The restrictive law promotes life, peace and harmony of which the righteous seek constantly. The enemies of peace and harmony will not accept God's remedy and thus forfeit the blessings that come with being in submission to God.
For those like myself who are members of the NOI (Nation Of Islam), we are blessed to be able to experience Ramadan twice a year; we look forward to applying our discipline again in December, the month the NOI specifically prescribed for the Blackman and Woman in America.
May Allah bless us all in our embracing the discipline that brings peace and harmonic community.
Love 2 Live & Live 2 Love,
Siebra
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Sunday, July 31st 2011 at 5:45PM
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