Fasting during the long summer days

[greenhill]

Salaam to all.

I am curious. In Malaysia we usually fast from around 5.40am to about 7.20pm. I remember when I was in the UK (studying) I decided to fast and it was from about 3.30am to about 9 something pm. I managed about 3 days and could not complete very much.

With Ramadhan coming soon, I am curious about those who fast near the artic circle. When the day stretches for so long, is it based on hours or strictly according to daylight? If it is, I suppose it evens out when the fasting month occurs in the winter months, very short days. What of those who live in areas that the sun does not set, or the fasting month happens when the sun does not rise?

[sister herb]

Salam alaykum

I live near of the artic circle. We use here usually time of Mecca. At this time of the year night here is only 3 hours.



May Allah be mercy to us.

[greenhill]

Thank you sister herb. Much appreciated . Phew! Was seriously tempted to go on holiday near the south pole to benefit from 3 hours of fasting.. he he


Guess that is the end of this thread!

[sister herb]

Salam alaykum

At the middle of winter day is only 3 hours. Then Ramadan is very easy here.

[greenhill]

Mmmmmmm, ha ha.

But seriously, you would follow the time of Mecca all the time or only when the daylight stretches to for too many hours?

[Samiun]

I decided to fast and it was from about 3.30am to about 9 something pm. I managed about 3 days and could not complete very much.

so was that during ramadhan or what..? 18 hours of fasting huh, makes life around here seem easier and we still get people complaining about fasting.

[glo]

In my town here in the UK the fasting will start (on the first day of Ramadan) at 3:10 and will end at 21:10.

By the last day of Ramadan the fast will have shortened to 4:00 to 20:20.

[sister herb]

Mmmmmmm, ha ha.

But seriously, you would follow the time of Mecca all the time or only when the daylight stretches to for too many hours?

I follow time of Mecca only by Ramadan.

[greenhill]

Yup! During Ramadhan at University in the UK. Fasting month in June. At least at uni we had cooking facilities. Fasted with another Malaysian muslim. Could not do anymore than a few days.. Then, after Eid, I heard that we could do equivalent times, sort of, but I wasn't sure. Never really found out. But now on the forum, I can. Only have to ask

[glo]

I follow time of Mecca only by Ramadan.

Do you follow the timings of Mecca all year round or only in the summer months when they are virtually impossible to follow according to the daylight hours of your country?

[sister herb]

No. I follow those time of Mecca also during winter at Ramadan.

[glo]

No. I follow those time of Mecca also during winter at Ramadan.

No getting alway lightly in those winter months then!

[sister herb]

No getting alway lightly in those winter months then!

Need to be honest... also at winter.

[ardianto]

I am curious. In Malaysia we usually fast from around 5.40am to about 7.20pm

In western Indonesia time where I live fast around 4.40 to about 6.20.

But in western Indonesia times sunrise prior to 6.00 and sunset is about 6.00 too, while in Malaysia sunrise is baout 7.00 and sunset is about 7.00

Malaysian clock is faster one hour than normal.

[greenhill]

Interesting.

I guess in these kinds of situations, it boils down to intentions. To follow Mecca time is fair in the overall scheme of things. If you want to follow daylight then really suffer when it falls in the summer and really benefit in the winter.

So, what time(s) will it for you in your local time if you follow Mecca time during Ramadhan, sister herb?

[crimsontide06]

Why do people follow Mecca time as opposed to where they live?? It is supposed to be from sunrise to sunset...wherever you are. Is choosing Mecca time a go-around to prevent from having to fast during the day? so that you are counting your sleep time as fasting?? lol

[greenhill]

I suppose Finland is not too far off Mecca time.

Crimsontide, we were just talking about those living around the arctic circle where, depending on when the fasting month is, you can have almost no nights to almost no days. Just a topic as we are approaching the month soon.

[glo]

A month of eating nothing would be a tough test for anybody!

[MustafaMc]

I live near of the artic circle. We use here usually time of Mecca. At this time of the year night here is only 3 hours.

Is this a common practice in your area? What is the basis for this practice?

[Iceee]

Firstly, I live in Canada.

So I started fasting at a really young age of 8 years old. The fast would be from 5:30am to around 5:30pm (12 hrs). It would be so easy because during most of the time, we would be at school and the season is Winter (I'm sure you know how Winter is in Canada lol).

Now, Ramadan time is at 3:30am to almost 9pm because of the Summer. And during this time I'm at work in a hot place also (McDonalds at the back where it will be burning hot). I'll keep all 29/30 fasts however because I know it's much harder for other people and especially in the Prophet's time (peace be upon him). If someone living in Africa can fast in that weather, I CAN do it here.

Make intention Inshallah to keep all fast.