Ramadhan

The month of Ramadhan begins after the sighting of the lunar crescent on the previous evening.

The coloured bands on the maps below indicate areas of the world where the crescent is likely to be visible on the date indicated:

Will Carrol

There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one's health.

Fasting is an integral part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions.

There is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that fasting can do wonders for the human body. This paper will look at the arguments presented by these healers in an attempt to raise awareness of the possible physiological benefits that may result from fasting.

By: Syed Soharwardy

Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC)

The crescent sighting for Ramadhan and Eid(s) has been a point of dispute among Muslims for a long time.

As the Muslims have spread in all parts of the globe including non-Muslim countries this problem has grown many folds. Every time when Eid and Ramadhan come, instead of good wishes and warm feelings among Muslims, a bitter and heated discussions take away the joy of celebration.

In one city various Muslim groups start and end Ramadhan on different days. Some times Eid is celebrated in one city on three different days. Why is this happening? Why is it worsening? Can this be solved? Let's discuss this problem in detail.

By Alan Goldhamer, D.C.

In this article you will learn about some of the tremendous benefits that can be derived from a properly conducted fast. When properly utilized, fasting is a safe and effective means of maximizing the body’s self-healing capacities.

The results can be truly amazing. Before going on to describe some of the many advantages of fasting, let’s define it. Fasting is the complete abstinence from all substances except pure water, in an environment of total rest.

Let’s also keep in mind that fasting is only one part of the total health-supporting program we call Natural Hygiene.

Guidelines for the Husband in Interacting with his Wife

Author: Dr. Marwwan Al-Qaisee
Source: Al-Asaalah Magazine. Translator: isma'eel alarcon

The family is that brick which forms the foundation of a society. It is composed of individuals that have permanent relations established between them. Most importantly, it possesses almost a majority of the different kinds of personal relations. Because of this, there must be certain etiquettes placed in order to control and regulate these relations. This is such that it can be maintained in the best possible manner, and so that it can generate and produce its proper fruits.

By Alia Amer

Everywhere in this society, sex, and sexuality are openly displayed for all to see. In this climate of free sex and loose moral standards, it becomes imperative for Muslim parents to be proactive in the sexual education of their children. Now, although for many of us, the thought of telling our children the whys, hows, and wheres of the proper sexual behavior between a man and woman, might make us cringe, when we think of the alternative, we'll see that we have no choice. Sexual education is a phrase that is taboo for many Muslims.

Part of the reason for this misunderstanding, is that people who encourage fornication and sexual deviations, are often the ones who teach sexual education in this society.

by Mir Mohammed Assadullah

Spouses

Allah, most Gracious says about spouses in Quran:

Among His signs is [the fact] that He has created spouses for you among yourselves so that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has planted love and mercy between you; In that are signs for people who reflect. Qur'an [30 : 21]

and says:

... they are a garment for you and you are a garment to them ... Qur'an [2 : 187]

Consider this in conjunction with the following verse:

... the best garment is the garment of God-consciousness ... Qur'an [7 : 26]

Derived from Bent Rib: A Journey through Women’s issues in Islam

by Huda al-Khattab. Compiled by Chloe Chaudhry

The following questions are offered in the interest of helping Muslims to think through issues important to marriage. You may wish to ask these questions when you’re considering someone for marriage, either of them or just of yourself.

You may also wish to ask them of an intermediary, who may be able to provide you an unbiased perspective.

Some of the questions may seem "unIslamic", but they deal with the reality of today's social situation, and NOT asking a question may ultimately prove to be a bigger mistake than asking it.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

why is polygamy allowed in Islam?

Definition of Polygamy

Polygamy means a system of marriage whereby one person has more than one spouse. Polygamy can be of two types. One is polygyny where a man marries more than one woman, and the other is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man. In Islam, limited polygyny is permitted; whereas polyandry is completely prohibited. Now coming to the original question, why is a man allowed to have more than one wife?

2. The Qur’an is the only religious scripture in the world that says, "marry only one".

By Rabi'ah Hakeem

In light of the experience of the past years, it is time to take stock and try to halt the ever-mounting tide of divorces among Muslims. It is not unusual today to find Muslim women (and even an occasional Muslim man) who, by the time they are 30 or 35, have been married three or four times, their children suffering again and again through the trauma of fatherless and broken homes. Accordingly, we may list a few essential points to be considered by both brothers and sisters in the process of choosing a partner in life (although the masculine pronoun has been used throughout for the sake of simplicity, the following is generally equally applicable to both men and women).

1. Du'a