Fasting in Norway

[Zafreen]

Salam. How would one fast in Norway when there is no sunset. Also, in the UK dawn to night fast is about 20 hours, is it possible for someone to fast this long and still function for the family?

[AbbsRay]

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

[Truth Seeker]

Salaam Zafreen,

Welcome to the forum!

AbbsRay has shared some very good posts and articles. There is one more that I would like to share which may also be of help which deals with rituals in extreme locations around the globe such as yours.

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=871.msg3390#msg3390

[good logic]

Greetings all.

The following is my opinion:

Are the day and night defined? By what?

If the sun defines them, then Day is sunrise to sunset, and night is sunset to sunrise?

Obviously there are different parts of the day and there are different parts of the night.

If I lived in the parts where the sun does not set? I would fast until before I go to bed. Eat and drink ,go to bed( 4/5hours or whatever minimum sleep one requires) Eat when I get up, then carry on with my fast until I next go to bed . My Salat will also follow a similar pattern to the nearest country where the sun is setting. ( Example: Scotland?)

Of course I would try to keep asking GOD for help and guidance, knowing that GOD knows my situation .

God always knows our intention. He is Forgiver most Merciful.

GOD bless you.
Peace.

[Deliverance]

The day/night is making 24hours
If there is no sunset then after 12 hours the "night" Begins and after the next 12 hours "day" is beginning.
Thats how i would handle it.

[Zafreen]

Thank u but it seems to me that alot of it left to own devices. I agree Allah comes before family but He also said He does not want to make things difficult.  I have three small children and if I am tired without appropriate nutrition, who will care for them? I feel as Allah said intention is key. Many traditionalists tell me if Allah judges by intention then people would do what they want. I don't understand that. I thought that would put more responsibility on an individual to do right if they don't have orders to obey but actually be aware that Allah is judging all intentions. Am I making sense?

[Joseph Islam]

Dear Zafreen,

As-salam alaykum
 
Please see my response to a similar question regarding regulating times for Islamic rituals in extreme geographical locations.

I hope that helps, God willing
Joseph

Wa alaikum assalam

I'd like to share a few verses with you and would humbly request you to consider them in light of the situation you find yourself in.

Firstly, the Quran was revealed to a particular people who were part of a particular geographical location. When God provided analogies, such as 'shade' (zalil, zill - 4:57, 56:30, 77:41) and of streams or rivers, it is with a view to show respite from the hot arid climate that the Arabs of the Hijaz were used to. These analogies would mean little to people living in the cold remote parts of the world who longed for the heat of the sun.

Similarly, when periods of prayer were given, the immediate audience were arguably of primary focus. The Quran was not addressing the conditions of someone who may be residing in the northern extremities of the globe.

The Quran explicitly asserts that it intends no difficult in religion.

"He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion" (22:78 part)

"Goes does not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean" (5:6 part)

"God desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty..." (2:185 part)

Coupled with the fact, He is an extremely merciful and just God (6:12, 6:54); one must consider predicaments such as yours with all the attributes of God and the guidance He has proffered to us in mind.

The intent is to listen to His word and extract the best meaning whilst applying the guidance to one’s circumstances (39:18, 39:55) remaining mindful not to transgress.

039:018
"Those who listen to the Word (the Quran) and follow the best meaning in it / best of it (Arabic: fayattabi'una ahsanahu) those are the ones whom God has guided and those are the one's endowed with understanding (Arabic: Albabi)
 
Finally, please note the following verse carefully.

064:016
“So keep your duty to God as best you can / what you are able (Arabic: ma is’tata’tum), and listen, and obey, and spend; that is better for your souls. And whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the successful”

The Arabic word 'istata'a' means to be able, can or to be capable of. Therefore, given the above verse, one is only expected to do the best they can whilst striving in the way of God.

What I would do personally, is to ascertain the nearest location in which it does become completely dark or there is a regularity of prayer timings and in the name of God (and not with a view to transgress), align prayer times to that locale.

I hope that helps, God willing.
Joseph.

[Wakas]

peace Zafreen,

I recommend reflecting on 2:185   ...whoever of you witnessed the shahr/month, then let him abstain/fast it...