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fasting in Ramadan

 

Fasting in Ramadan


photo by Omar Chatriwala

Muslims all over the world observe fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. The Arabic word for fasting is "saum" which generally means to abstain from something. In Islamic Sharia'h, fasting implies desisting from eating, drinking and gratifying physical desires for sake of Allah from dawn to dusk. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and became obligatory in the second year of Hijra, the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD which marks the start of the Islamic calendar.

Fasting in Ramadan has been ordained to teach Muslims self discipline, piety and restraint in their lives. Refraining from physical desires because of Allah's command is the ultimate way of showing a Muslim's submission to Allah. It is stated in the Holy Quran:

"O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may learn self restraint." (2:185)

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Ahadith regarding Fasting in Ramadan


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  • The messenger of Allah (saws) reported in a hadith al-Qudsi that Allah (SWT) said:

"All acts done by the sons of Adam are meant for him, except fasting. It is exclusively meant for Me, and I (alone) will reward him for it" (Bukhari and Muslim)

  • Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (raa) the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:

"Sahuur is a blessed meal, do not neglect it even if it is a mouthful of drink. For Allah and the Angels bless those who observe it." (Ahmed)

  • Abu Hurairah (raa) relates the Messenger of Allah (saws) said when one Ramadan came:

"A blessed month has arrived. Observing it in fasting is mandated on you (the believers). During this month, the gates of Paradise will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed. The evil ones (Shayaatin) will be handcuffed. In it there is one night, during which worship is better than worship in a thousand months. Whoever is denied its blessings has been denied the biggest blessing." (Ahmed, Nasaae, and Bayhaqi)

 

 

Comments (1 to 2 of 2)

Gulrukh Tausif
Jul 24, 10 at 07:29 PM
Thank you Jim.
Jim Bessey
Jul 20, 10 at 11:15 PM
Great page, Gulrukh. Well done.

Fasting in Ramadan: Quick Facts

 

  • Fasting starts with the sighting of the Ramadan moon and ends with sighting of the moon of Shawal.
  • Fasting is obligatory on every adult, sane and healthy Muslim.
  • In Ramadan, Muslims take a pre-dawn meal called "sahoor" or "sehri" and then make intention of fasting.
  • The fast lasts from dawn to dusk in which Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and gratifying physical desires.
  • The breaking of fast is called "iftaar." It is recommended to break the fast immediately after the sunset.
  • Muslims usually prefer to break the fast with dates or water.
  • The sick, the traveler and women who are menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding are exempt from the obligation of fasting in Ramadan but the same number should be made up from other days

 

Ramadan links

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What is Ramadan? An Explanation by Yusuf Islam

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