Ramadan for the year, 2003 Begins Today

My understanding re the end of Ramadan is that it doesn't end on a predictable date, but that an imam (or someone else with appropriate authority) decides on the end date. A friend of mine, who converted to Islam and observes Ramadan, has told me this. The ending date is known, approximately, but isn't nailed down at the outset. Or so he says...

the starting and ending of ramadan is determined by the moon. at night, if the moon of the beggining of the omnth is seen then the month starts. and after 29 days they will also look at the moon to see if the second month has started or not.

if two people come to the authorities and swear infront of them that they have seen the moon, then thats it, the month srats/ends.

Thanks for the info Barhoooom and welcome to A2K. Give a yell if you need any help finding your way around here.

While you're here, would you be able to explain some information I came across while doing research for another topic on these boards?

I learned that in the Koran the Prophet Mohammed instructs Muslims to break their dusk-to-dawn fast during the holy month of Ramadan by eating a date, even before taking a drink of water. Can you explain the meaning and symbolism of that?

you r welcome,

I am happy that some one is asking about islam in a nice manner, usually what people do is only attack. thanks for your question.

the answer is:

first: :-) mohammad peace be upon him did not write the QURAN, God revealed it. :-)

second: there is nothing in the quran that speaks abt breaking the fast with dates.

if it is in the Quran then it will be a must, no the quran does not speak about that.

actually, we muslims DO USUALLY break our fast with dates OR water. we do this because the prophet mohammad peace be upon him RECOMMENDED that we do so. he said once that it is PREFERRED to break the fast with dates, and if you have non then with water.

so it is not compulsory, but it is preferred, and the prophet mohammad peace be upon him used to do it alwayse, so we like to do it because he used to do it. and we do it, because in islam, if you do something that the prophet mohammad peace be upon him recommended then you will get more reward from God in heaven.

WHY DATES?

actually, the saying of the prophet does not say why, but modern researches say that it is preferred to break your fast with somehting sweet. I dont really know why, it is something that has to do with the body and that it needs this sweet thing more than the other food.

actually, I dont really mind about what the science say, people talk abt it too much, and I dont eat dates because science says that it is benificial, the reason why I do it is that the prophet mohammad pece be upon him recommended it.

sorry for being long.

Thanks barhooom.

And thanks, butrfly, for the topic.

Funny, I thought Ramadan started on the 24th this year.....