Salmmun Alaykum Zafreen,
Here are great articles on this matter.
http://quransmessage.com/articles/fasting%20till%20night%20FM3.htm
http://quransmessage.com/articles/fasting%20and%20ramadan%20FM3.htm
Indeed, 20 hours is long, but one is commanded to unless traveling, illness... even that, we are commanded to repeat the days missed, if one does not fast the days missed we are commanded than to do "Fidya", this is feeding of a needy person.
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=929.0
God comes before family.. Actually it is very hard given the long hours, but the 3rd or 4th day, one gets use to it, well I should speak for myself.
Hope these articles BJ wrote helps answer more to your question.
Salaam
Here are great articles on this matter.
http://quransmessage.com/articles/fasting%20till%20night%20FM3.htm
http://quransmessage.com/articles/fasting%20and%20ramadan%20FM3.htm
Indeed, 20 hours is long, but one is commanded to unless traveling, illness... even that, we are commanded to repeat the days missed, if one does not fast the days missed we are commanded than to do "Fidya", this is feeding of a needy person.
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=929.0
God comes before family.. Actually it is very hard given the long hours, but the 3rd or 4th day, one gets use to it, well I should speak for myself.
Hope these articles BJ wrote helps answer more to your question.
Salaam