Ramadan: what is the purpose of animal sacrifice during the Eid ?
Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day? During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith. Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others. It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37) The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.
Why is the purpose of life in Islam fulfilling?
According to Muslims Allah created us to submit to him, it's a test and at the end we are rewarded. Why would Allah create people simply for a test? How is this important to Allah? And why must we be rewarded for following our Creator? Why is this something to strive for? Is it because the alternative is horrible hellfire?
Ramadan, is there halal way to speed up end of your life?
If after decades of praying and working toward the one thing you want in life, a companion to be by your side, and Allah has still not granted you this spouse at 42 and you are an intersex male and not likely to ever get married now, when you accept that you will never have the happiness in life you desire, that your life is on loan to Allah in this life and there will be no happiness in it, but only happiness and only a spouse when you get to heaven, and you keep doing good deeds and being a servant to Allah to get to heaven, is there a halal way to speed up the end of your life? Is it halal to repeatedly ask Allah every day to take you out of this life as quickly as possible so you no longer have to feel the pain here and can get to the next life where you will have somene who loves you and you will have happiness? (P.S. Haters and people who are going to tell me to make effort that I have spent a decade or two making, please don't bother to answer. The issue is not lack of effort, the issue is obstacles are too many to overcome and I cannot overcome them. I accept that I will not overcome them and that I will not have a wife or happiness in this life. The question is, please answer the question asked, is there halal way to speed up end of your life?
What is the impact on your life of fasting during Ramadan?
Ramadan and fasting it is always a great time for the Muslim. Muslims wait for Ramadan and push themselves to do more acts of worship in Ramadan.The reason is because Ramadan is a special month. It is the best month of the year and in this month the Prophet told us that God multiplies the reward for good deeds. And so Muslims hurry to perform as many good deeds as they can.Doing so has a great impact on one's life, where he is mostly focused on doing the good deeds and not focused on the usual stuff that he wastes time on.An example, usually people here finish work and head home. They have something to eat and then sit on the couch watch TV and spend the end of the day with things that are not of much relevant.In Ramadan however, they finish work, they head to the mosque. They pray. Sit for a lecture. They finish the lecture head home. Have iftar after Sunset. Sit a bit with their families and then go back to the mosque to pray some more and to listen to Quran. Doing so the Muslim moves into a different mind set and is no longer concerned with daily stuff like news or TV shows, work or the usual things that he gets himself busy with. He is more focused on thinking of the good deeds that he is doing and the religion that he is abiding by.Fasting makes the individual more patient and more remembering of his God. It makes the individual thoughtful of how much food he is used too and how much food he really needs. Fasting and Ramadan remind every Muslim of the gifts that God has given him, that many others have not been so fortunate to have. Once the Muslim is reminded of that, it becomes easier for him to give. And giving is important these days.The impact is tremendous if one uses the time given to him wisely.
As Muslims, what do you do during the day in Ramadan?
Great question! For myself and my family, we go about life 'as normal'. Meaning, we work full-time jobs, parent our child, handle our chores and household. We check in with family, friends & neighbors, follow the news and local events.For devotion, we follow our regular practice of 5 daily prayers, remembrance and reflection upon Allah and read the scripture. Additionally, we fast from dawn til dusk and pray extra at night.Ramadan is an exercise in self restraint and sacrifice. If performed with this intent, it builds empathy and compassion. So many people around the world fast out of poverty and are either starving or food insecure. Life doesn't pause because a person is hungry. It shouldn't for Muslims either. In some countries schedules change so liberally that a 'sacrifice' is barely felt. People may become adjusted to eating or even feasting at night and sleeping throughout the day....but I question, is that really in the spirit of fasting?
Are there any Muslims who don't fast on Ramadan?
Unfortunately there are many who don't fast. Also there are many misconceptions. Most non muslims think that Islam is so strict that a person has to fast no matter what.There are many conditions under which a muslim is allowed to not keep fast. Few of them include :- 1. If person has disease which can get severe because of fast.2. If person is too old to fast.3. If person is in travel and would find it difficult to fast.4. If a lady is pregnant or has a child which needs breast feeding.5. Also it is not mandatory for a small child. After a certain age only its mandatory.As you can see from above conditions most of the genuine hard conditions are taken off. So Islam does not mean to torture you. It takes care of unreasonable situations.Now, coming to the second part of your question. Muslims eat at least two meals. One early morning(Sehr) before sunrise and one straight after sunset(Iftaar). Sehr is in fact is encouraged and it is explicitly asked by Prophet that people should do Sehr and not avoid it. In most other religions concept of eating early morning is not there. Therefore, it becomes harder to fast. As far as eating a lot is concerned, the human stomach has some capacity and certainly no one can stuff more then that. Actually, it is not that hard to fast. Once you have fasted for the first few days, the rest becomes easy. In fact even kids as young as in 9th standards keep full fast without any problem. Ramadaan does not mean a muslim should leave all work and just lie like an animal. And certainly it is no torture. The pleasure you get when you put the first morsel of food in your stomach at Iftaar and first sip of water is unparalleled. It will make you realise how important water is, and how important any food which you do not even think of eating normally is. You will start feeling for those who have no food to eat. Saying this is different, but ones you experience it you would understand better. Also it will make you more thankful to God, that he made you lucky enough to enjoy these things without any contribution of yours.
Ramadan~is it haram to swear on your life or somebody alses?
Yes. You are only allowed to swear by Allah (SWT)'s name, and even then it should be for an EXTREMELY serious sitch. Kitaab At-Tawheed, Chapter: 41 What Has Been Said Concerning One Who is Not Satisfied With an Oath Sworn in Allah's Name It is reported on the authority of Ibn `Umar (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (may Peace Be Upon Him) said: "Do not swear by your fathers: Whoever swears by Allah , let him speak the truth and the one for whom the oath is taken in the Name of Allah should be satisfied with it; and whoever is not satisfied with it, is not (one of the slaves) of Allah ." (Narrated by Ibn Majah, with a good Sanad) In this Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (may Peace Be Upon Him) forbids the swearing of oaths in other than Allah's Name, because this entails glorifying Allah's creatures and humility towards them and Islam does not permit humility towards other than Allah . Then He (may Peace Be Upon Him) commands those who swear in Allah's Name to speak the truth, because truth is a virtue at all times, even in ordinary speech, so what may be said of speech reinforced by an oath in Allah's Name?. Then He (may Peace Be Upon Him) orders the one to whom an oath in Allah's Name is made, to believe his Muslim brother, unless it is proved that he has not spoken the truth, for it is incumbent upon the Muslim to think well of his brother and whoever does not do so, Allah has nothing to do with him. Benefits Derived From This Hadith 1. The forbiddance of swearing by other than Allah. 2. The permissibility of swearing by Allah, so long as one is truthful. 3. The prohibition of swaering by Allah upon a lie. 4. The obligation to accept the word of one who swears by Allah , unless it is proved that he has lied. Relevance of This Hadith to the Subject of the Chapter That the Hadith proves the obligation to accept the word of one who swears by Allah . Relevance of This Hadeeth to the Subject of Tawheed That it proves the obligation to accept the word of one who swears by Allah , because by doing so, one is glorifying Allah and that is part of the completeness of Tawheed.