Muslim and non Muslim talk religion no politics!!

Hi, I would like to share a blog which review topics from Quran in the light of Ayas of Quran and promotes peace and harmony.
https://topicsfromquran.wordpress.com

Hello Im new to City Data and Im a Christian Ive been one for about 20 years now I have 4 kids, I live in Alaska with a lousy internet service lol so don't be surprised if I don't reply soon. Ive done Christian studdies, some Jewish studdies and would love to do some Islamic studdies. I believe we can live in peace and want it. I think we can come to common grounds. I know that Jews and Muslims are half brothers and to be a christian is to be a brother to the Jew and I believe to the Muslim also. well got to go God Bless

Zakat is One of the 5 pillars of Islam
Zakah is a portion of one’s wealth that must be given to the poor or to other specified causes. The word “zakah” comes from the verb meaning to purify or cleanse. It is the third Pillar of Islam and is obligatory for all those who are financially able.
Zakah means the giving of a specific share of one’s wealth and savings to persons or causes that Allah (God) mentions in the Qur’an. The normal share to be paid is two and a half percent of one’s saved earnings. This applies to cash, bank savings and jewelry. The rate for cattle and agricultural produce is different. The Qur’an mentions zakah, together with salah (ritual Prayer), as a form of worship; and in that respect it differs from ordinary charity, which is optional, and from tax, which a government imposes from time to time at variable rates and for various uses. The money from zakah can be used only for specific purposes under fixed headings - like helping the poor, the needy, to pay the salaries of those collecting it, to free captives and debtors, for travelers in need, to win over hearts and for the cause of Allah (God) (Qur’an 9: 60)
[font=Verdana]The payment of zakah is a way of purifying one’s wealth. It saves one from greed and selfishness and encourages him to be truthful and God-fearing in his financial dealings. Another purpose is to help the poor and the needy and to assist other causes in the way of Allah (God). Muslims know that it is a profitable investment (and not a loss) to help the cause of Allah (God) because it will establish economic balance and social justice, and at the same time earn an immense reward in the Hereafter.

From the Islamic point of view, wealth belongs to Allah (God) and is held by human beings in trust; so a person has no right to use it to satisfy his whims. He has to observe the Divine commandments here, as elsewhere. For those whom Allah has blessed with wealth, it is a test; and Muslims should strive to pass this test by not becoming worshipers of hoarded wealth. They should rather use the wealth only in ways Allah (God) has permitted and realize that the amount of zakah to be given is not really their money but, rather, it belongs to those who have less than they do.
Zakah is one of those unique forms of worship that bring out bo th the individual and the social aspects of `ibadah (worship). Consider its socio-political value: It frees society from the ill feelings arising out of class hatred. It opposes an individualism that is blind to the travails of one’s neighbors and stands against a socialism that shackles individual freedom. It fosters neither selfishness nor renunciation. It also strengthens a sense of brotherhood and establishes social cohesion.
The resources liable for zakah in general terms are the balance remaining after meeting expenses. This means that at the end of a year (calendar year or fiscal year) a Muslim has to calculate what amount must be paid for zakah. There are various rules for individuals, farms, factories and businesses.

At this time Muslims are practicing on of the 5 pillars of Islam:
Fasting the Holy month of Ramadan

How is Ramadan Celebrated?

During Ramadan, Muslims practice sawm, or fasting. Of course, no one is required to fast for an entire month. The practice of fasting during Ramadan means that Muslims may not eat or drink anything including water while the is shining. Fasting is one of the five pillars or duties of Islam. As with most other religious practices in Islam, Muslims participate in the fast from the age of 12.

One of the most important aspects of the Ramadan fast is called niyyah. Niyyah literally means "intention." Muslims must not simply or accidentally abstain from food; they must achieve the requirement of niyyah. To achieve this requirement, a Muslim must "intend in [his] heart that [the fast] is meant to be a worship for Allah alone." So, if someone fasts for political or dietary reasons, he would not achieve niyyah. In fact, according to scripture, "Whoever does not make niyyah before dawn, would not have fasted." The determination to fast is equal in importance to the fast itself.
In much of the Muslim world, restaurants are closed during the daylight hours of Ramadan. Families wake up early, before the sun rises, and eat a meal called sohour. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal called iftar. Iftar often begins with eating dates and sweet drinks to give fasting Muslims a quick energy boost, and it is a rich meal. It can include any type of food, but the dessert almost always includes konafa or qattayef. Konafa is a cake made of wheat, sugar, honey, raisins and nuts. Qatayef is a similar cake, but it is smaller and is folded to encase the nuts and raisins. In between the two meals, the night-time iftar and the pre-dawn sohour, Muslims can eat freely.
Fasting is so important to Muslims for a number of reasons. First, when you are not paying attention to your mortal needs such as food, you may be able to become more in tune with God and your spiritual side. Also, the fast serves to remind Muslims of the suffering of the poor. This idea reinforces the importance of charity during Ramadan.
Fasting gives Muslims an opportunity to practice self-control and cleanse the body and mind. Many cultures and religions use fasting for this purpose. During Ramadan, fasting helps Muslims with their spiritual devotion as well as in developing a feeling of kinship with other Muslims.

As the history goes, Ramadan is the month in which Allah contacted the prophet, Mohammed, to give him the verses of the holy book, or Qu'ran. As such, praying during Ramadan is especially important. Muslims say nightly prayers whether it is Ramadan or not, but the taraweeh, or Ramadan nightly prayer, carries additional weight.
According to scripture, "Whoever observes night prayer in Ramadan as an expression of his faith and to seek reward from Allah, his previous sins will be blotted out." Thus, the Ramadan nightly prayer, after a day of fasting, serves the purpose of eradicating the sins that have been previously committed. In this way, the nightly prayer is an important element of the rituals of Ramadan.
At the end of Ramadan and before the breaking of the fast, Muslims say takbeer. The takbeer is a statement indicating there is nothing in the world that is bigger or greater than Allah. Takbeer is always said when a Muslim completes an important task, as in the completion of the fast of Ramadan.
Translated, the takbeer exclaims, "Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and Allah is greatest. Allah is the Greatest and all praise is due to Allah." It is recommended that men say the takbeer out loud and women say it silently. Takbeer is a sign that the festivities of Eid Al-Fitr have begun. It is a joyful statement of faith and accomplishment.

Ramadan is considered the most joyful month of the year, and the month ends with the greatest celebration of all, the breaking of the fast, Eid al-Fitr.
Around the world, Muslims celebrate by doing Prayer of Eid Al Fitr in the morning in mosques and outside it in big nmbers thanking Allah (God) for the holy month and wishing that all their prayers and good deeds of the month will be accepted .

During the celebration, people dress in their finest clothes, decorate their homes with lights, give treats to the children and visit with friends and family. A sense of generosity and gratitude are a major part of Eid al-Fitr. Charity and doing good deeds is a very important part of Ramadan. The month will often consist of Muslims helping to feed the poor and making contributions to their mosques.
When Muslims end the month of fasting, they are left with the many benefits that Ramadan leaves behind. According to Muslim tradition, Ramadan:
[*]strengthens one's ties with Allah and trains the soul to observe duties of devotion in accordance with the teachings of the Qur'an.[*]enforces patience and determination.[*]promotes the principle of sincerity by keeping the individual away from arrogance and showing off.[*]promotes good character, particularly truthfulness and trustworthiness.[*]encourages the individual to do away with bad habits and change his or her circumstances for the better.[*]enhances generosity, hospitality and giving to charity.[*]reinforces feelings of unity and brotherhood among Muslims.[*]instills orderliness and observance of the value of time.[*]serves as an opportunity for children to perform acts of obedience and to practice Islamic acts of worship.[*]offers the chance to balance one's attention to both physical and spiritual needs.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims gain more than a cleansing of the body and mind. Muslims feel that they are doing the work of getting closer to Allah through prayer, and are becoming more compassionate people by experiencing hunger, learning about the suffering of the poor. The fast of Ramadan is a central experience in the Islamic religion.