Bismillah-hir-Rahman-nir-Raheem (In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful) THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN AND FASTING THEREIN: 1. What is Ramadhan: Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the month of fasting for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam; the others are: Belief in the Unity of Allah, Five daily prayers, Zakah (almsgiving) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). The month of Ramadan (like all other months) starts upon the sighting of the new moon. 2. Why Muslims Fast: Fasting in Ramadan is one of the main pillars of Islam that helps Muslim grow closer to the One God, Allah. According to the Qur’an “Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint”. In addition to its spiritual value, fasting is also recognized for its health and psychological benefits. 3. Purpose of Fasting: The real purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty, or to deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences but to be conscious of Allah. It is to do ones best to live by His commands and to avoid His prohibitions, fear of Allah, worship of Allah, sincerity in faith, and avoid the disobedience to Allah. Fasting is an invisible act. Only Allah and the person who is fasting know whether he or she is fasting or not. Fasting teaches how to control and discipline our desires. During fasting we learn how to say no to things that are otherwise permissible and good, but are forbidden during fasting. When one learns how to say no to that which is generally permissible, then one can easily control oneself to avoid that which is forbidden. Through fasting we taste—to some extent—the pain and suffering of those who are poor and destitute. Fasting teaches empathy and sympathy, and it takes away some of our selfishness and self-centeredness. 4. How Muslims Fast: Muslims fast from early dawn to sunset every day throughout the month . The fast requires Muslims to abstain from food, drink, marital relations and ill-conduct during the fast. 5. Who Fasts: Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory on all physically and mentally healthy and mature Muslims. Those exempted from fasting are the sick, old, pregnant and menstruating women and travellers. Pregnant and menstruating women and travellers make up the missed days by fasting at a later time. 6. A typical day during the Month of Ramadhan The day of fasting begins with an early morning meal before dawn and ends at sunset. The evening activities include the traditional breaking of the fast usually with dates and water, the sunset prayer followed by dinner (IFTAR). Muslims would then go to the mosque for congregational prayers in which at least one-thirtieth of the Qur’an is recited. The congregation would have listened to the recitation of the complete Qur’an by the end of the month. 7. Significance of the Month of Ramadhan: The Holy Qur’an, Allah’s final guidance to mankind, was revealed during this month: “The Blessed Month of Ramadhan is the month in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men, and clear proofs of its guidance and distinction.” (2:185) 8. What is Allah’s Command for this Month: ……..whoever among you is present in the month, he shall fast therein (2:185) O Ye who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may learn self-restraint. (2:183) Tell My servants that I am the Forgiving One, The Merciful (15:19) 9. The virtues of Ramadhan (the month of fasting): (i) Ramadhan is a month of Allah’s; its beginning is Mercy from Him; its middle is forgiveness from Him, and its end is salvation (freedom from the Hell’s fire) (ii) Whosoever fasts one day seeking the pleasure of Allah, if that is his last day, he will be made to enter paradise (Ahmad: 5/ 391) (iii) Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: Whoever fasts in Ramadhan with faith and the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven ( Bukhari: 37) (iv) In paradise, there is a gate called Ar-Rayyaan through which only those who fast will enter, and no one else will enter except them (Bukhari: 1797) (v) During other months, the good deed of a believer carries 10 blessings, but in Ramadhan, it carries 70. (vi) In this month, there is a night called the Night of Qadr. The virtues of this night are greater than a 1000 nights (83 years and 4 months) 10. The Night of Qadr (Value): This Night is mentioned in Surah 97 as follows: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Surely We revealed it on the Night of Qadr. And what will make you comprehend what the Night of Qadr is? The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! it is till the break of the morning 11. What to do in the Night of Qadr: (i) Narrated Aisha, (R.A.): Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights in the last 10 nights of Ramadhan (Bukhari 234)\ (ii) Aisha, (R.A.) narrated: I asked Allah’s Messenger (SAW) what I should do if I find the Night of Qadr? The Holy Prophet (SAW) replied: Pray to Allah: “O Our Lord! You are the Most Forgiving. You love to forgive. So, forgive us.” 12. Remember: The fast isn’t just to remain hungry and thirsty but to control our sight, and purify our intentions. o Refrain from looking at evil things. This is the fast of the eyes. o Refrain from evil thoughts. This is the fast of the heart. o Refrain from listening to what is forbidden to hear . This is the fast of the ear. o Refrain from evil thoughts. This is the fast of the heart. o Only speak the truth and speak for the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger. This is the fast of the tongue. o Protect yourselves from all evils during this blessed month, and keep away from them during the rest of the year too. 13.The Holy Prophet (SAW) Said: One who, while fasting, does not guard his tongue from telling lies; does not refrain from doing evil deeds, is not respecting his fasts, and Allah does not approve of mere abstention from food.” 14. General Recommendations for Ramadhan: It is strongly recommended by the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (S.A.W.) to observe these practices during the month of Ramadhan: (i) Have a light meal (Suhoor) before the break of dawn (ii) Eat 3 dates and have a drink of water immediately after sunset, saying this prayer: “O Allah, for thy sake I fasted, and now I break the fast with the food you have given me.” (iii) Make your meals as light as possible because as the Prophet said, the worst thing a man can fill is his stomach. (Tirmidhi 2380) (iv) Exchange social visits and intensify humanitarian efforts (v) Observe supererogatory prayers known as Taraweeh (vi) Increase study and recitation of the Holy Qur’an (vii) Exert the utmost in patience and humility (viii) Be extraordinarily careful in using the senses, the mind, and especially the tongue: abstain from careless and gossipy chats and avoid all suspicious matters 15.May Allah: Give us the strength and patience to fast the entire month of Ramadhan Accept all our fasts in this blessed month Give us the opportunity to worship in the Night of Power, and may He accept our worship Help us to continue (throughout life) the good deeds we performed in the month of Ramadhan NB: Items 1 - 6 taken from the Islamic Foundations Website (with some modifications) RAMADHAN MUBARAK!!
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 02:07:16 +0000
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