[Flyteryder]

I know it's an integral part of Islam, but could you ever bring yourself not to do it? Do you ever think that you just don't want or just can't force yourself to do it some years, then don't do it? How would you feel if you didn't fast? How angry or annoyed do you think Allah would be if you didn't fast? Do you think Allah would forgive you if you weren't sorry for not fasting?

Before I get negged, I'm not trying to be offensive. I'm not saying that Islam is wrong or fasting is wrong; I respect that you have a religion and that fasting is a part of it. I'm just genuinely interested in sensible responses.

Edit: TELL ME WHY I'M GETTING NEGGED. I've tried to be as respectful as possible. I haven't said anything bad about Islam.

[Politricks]

The reason some Muslims fast is simply because they feel pressured to do so; they see their friends and family doing it, and they'd feel very awkward if they're the odd one out, and not to mention the shame...Ramadan is the period where Muslims put up a 'Holier-than-thou' attitude for a month.

Edit: Some Many Muslims*. Most Muslims I know rarely pray or read from the Qur'an, because most of the time they won't get shamed for not doing so, however, come Ramadan, they do get shamed by their peers and family for not fasting, so they fast so they don't get looked down on by their holier-than-thou friends, I doubt some of them fast because they sincerely want to, they probably scoff on goodies when nobody's looking.

[Uzzy?]

I couldnt unless I was very ill...in which case I wouldnt have to fast anyway. I actually look forward to Ramadan/ I'd feel annoyed and upset if I couldnt fast. If I didnt fast purely out of laziness then yes I'd assume Allah would be angry...it is compulsary on all those who can afterall. If I didnt repent then...well I couldnt say?

[A level Az]

No.

[Tom_Hagen]

(Original post by Politricks)
The reason some Muslims fast is simply because they feel pressured to do so; they see their friends and family doing it, and they'd feel very awkward if they're the odd one out, and not to mention the shame...Ramadan is the period where Muslims put up a 'Holier-than-thou' attitude for a month.

Nobody actually knows if you're fasting or not though, surely? If you don't want them to know, I'm guessing it's fairly easy to slip away for a quick bite?

[Id and Ego seek]

(Original post by Tom_Hagen)
Nobody actually knows if you're fasting or not though, surely? If you don't want them to know, I'm guessing it's fairly easy to slip away for a quick bite?

How do you know they don't? If it's simply social compliance, I'm guessing many eventually do when not in the presence of their family.

[Politricks]

(Original post by Tom_Hagen)
Nobody actually knows if you're fasting or not though, surely? If you don't want them to know, I'm guessing it's fairly easy to slip away for a quick bite?

During Ramadan, even the worst and the laziest Muslims claim that they're fasting, well, at least in front of their Muslims friends, but I'm sure some of them do slip away for a bite.

[Jordan_1]

Fasting is stupid. So glad Im not religious.

[notsure]

Politricks are you even a Muslim? What your saying is absolutely false. Muslims fast in the month of ramadhan because it's prt of our religion. People fast because they want to and people are not pressured into doing so. I personally live the month of ramadhan even though sometimes I feel hungry and want to break my fast I don't! Simple because I've chosen to do so and I feel good! it's silly that you say we're pressured bcos if that was so we could just pretend were fasting but eat, therefore I believe your point is wrong mate.


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[notsure]

(Original post by Jordan_1)
Fasting is stupid. So glad Im not religious.

Why don't you keep your opinions to yourself pls. Gosh


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[ZA.1]

(Original post by Politricks)
The reason some Muslims fast is simply because they feel pressured to do so; they see their friends and family doing it, and they'd feel very awkward if they're the odd one out, and not to mention the shame...Ramadan is the period where Muslims put up a 'Holier-than-thou' attitude for a month.

Edit: Some Many Muslims*. Most Muslims I know rarely pray or read from the Qur'an, because most of the time they won't get shamed for not doing so, however, come Ramadan, they do get shamed by their peers and family for not fasting, so they fast so they don't get looked down on by their holier-than-thou friends, I doubt some of them fast because they sincerely want to, they probably scoff on goodies when nobody's looking.

Well, Ramadhan is about self-reform and getting closer to Allah, so it's no biggie that people who don't usually pray in other months make an effort during Ramadhan.

[Straight up G]

(Original post by Politricks)
The reason some Muslims fast is simply because they feel pressured to do so; they see their friends and family doing it, and they'd feel very awkward if they're the odd one out, and not to mention the shame...Ramadan is the period where Muslims put up a 'Holier-than-thou' attitude for a month.

Edit: Some Many Muslims*. Most Muslims I know rarely pray or read from the Qur'an, because most of the time they won't get shamed for not doing so, however, come Ramadan, they do get shamed by their peers and family for not fasting, so they fast so they don't get looked down on by their holier-than-thou friends, I doubt some of them fast because they sincerely want to, they probably scoff on goodies when nobody's looking.

Oh no, surely you've misphrased that? Us darn Moslems put up a holier-than-thou attitude all the time?

Wow, thank you for that jibe at the Muslim (or not) community. When the OP's question is 'Are most muslims as devout as the sahaba?' then you can bring out that fascinating tidbit.

[callum9999]

Much as it's fallen out of fashion in Christianity (now morphed into a day to eat loads of pancakes, a day to eat loads of chocolate and the fasting period generally ignored!), I would be shocked if it didn't eventually fall out of fashion with Muslims.

Because whether you accept it or not - that is exactly what organised religion is - fashion. I say organised because I find the notion of it absurd, whereas private religious beliefs tend to be more rationale. How anyone can see that Muslims tend to produce Muslim children, and Christians tend to produce Christian child, and not see that it blatantly proves that (for the majority) they are simply believing what they've been told to believe I have no idea!

[Straight up G]

(Original post by Id and Ego seek)
How do you know they don't? If it's simply social compliance, I'm guessing many eventually do when not in the presence of their family.

You can guess whatever you'd like to, but my more educated guess is that people don't actually do this very much.

[Politricks]

(Original post by notsure)
Politricks are you even a Muslim? What your saying is absolutely false. Muslims fast in the month of ramadhan because it's prt of our religion. People fast because they want to and people are not pressured into doing so. I personally live the month of ramadhan even though sometimes I feel hungry and want to break my fast I don't! Simple because I've chosen to do so and I feel good! it's silly that you say we're pressured bcos if that was so we could just pretend were fasting but eat, therefore I believe your point is wrong mate.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

No, I'm not a Muslim; I speak purely from experience, my whole family are Muslims, and most of my friends are Muslims.

Yes, there are many Muslims who fast with sincerity and not because they feel pressured by everybody else, but there are also many Muslims who fast simply because they don't want their holier-than-thou family and friends shaming them and looking down upon them for not doing so.

[jmlkey]

I'm not a muslim, or religious at all, but Ramadan sounds like a good idea to me. As far as i can tell, it's less about doing it to please allah, as learning important lessons about your life - Empathising with the poor, practising self-control etc

[Solid.Snake]

On several occasions, i must admit that i have been tempted to give up when fasting and when you feel so hungry and thirsty but luckily i've battled on.

I must say when you break your fast and the cold refreshing water first touches your dry parched mouth the feeling....is just so wonderful!

[Politricks]

(Original post by Straight up G)
Oh no, surely you've misphrased that? Us darn Moslems put up a holier-than-thou attitude all the time?

Wow, thank you for that jibe at the Muslim (or not) community. When the OP's question is 'Are most muslims as devout as the sahaba?' then you can bring out that fascinating tidbit.

Well, many Muslims I know do put up a holier-than-thou attitude which they normally wouldn't have during the rest of the year.

[sugar-n-spice]

(Original post by Jordan_1)
Fasting is stupid. So glad Im not religious.

If it's done correctly it has lots of health benefits.

[ZA.1]

(Original post by Politricks)
Well, many Muslims I know do put up a holier-than-thou attitude which they normally wouldn't have during the rest of the year.

At least they are attempting to make an effort to pray and read the Quran and learn more about why they are fasting and about their religion. You can't expect all Muslims to be perfect.