RAMADAN
About
Fasting
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first light
until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. Those who are
sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are
permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the
year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person
for every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer) from
puberty, although many start earlier.
Although the fast is most beneficial
to the health, it is regarded principally as a method of self purification. By
cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting
person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's
spiritual life.
Setting
the Intention
When Ramadan begins, any person who intends to fast must openly or silently
express to Allah the following:
"I intend to fast today for the sake of Allah. O Allah, make it easy
for me and accept it from me."
When it is time to break the fast at sunset, the Muslim should say:
"O Allah, For Your Sake I fasted, in You I
believe, in You I trust, and with the food You provide I break my fast."
Fasting
at a Glance
1.5 billion Muslims of the world celebrate
their holiest month of Ramadan every year. Ramadan is the 9th month in the
lunar year. During this month, healthy Muslim adults observe Fasting during the
daylight hours. Muslim Fasting is a total abstention from eating, drinking, and
sexual relations from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan.
Also, avoiding immoral behavior and anger and showing compassion is part of the
requirements of the fasting. The purpose of fasting is manifold. Allah (the God
Almighty) mentioned in the Holy Book of the Muslims, Quran,
that the fasting is prescribed for the believers as it was prescribed
for the people before them, so that they may acquire self control and
God-consciousness. Therefore, the purpose of the fasting is to develop
God-consciousness, self-control, improvement of health by reducing or
eliminating impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight of the
poor, hungry, and the sick. Ramadan is a month of spiritual consciousness and
high sense of social responsibility. The fulfillment of one's obligations
during the month is rewarded by 70 times. Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam including Announcement of Faith, Salaat (praying 5 times a day), Zakaat
(the right of the poor on the wealth of the financially able), Fasting during
the month of Ramadan, and Hajj (once a life time pilgrimage to Kaaba).
It is an obligation on every adult and
healthy Muslim to fast during the month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is
also the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down from 7th level of heaven
to the 1st level, from where it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) in piecemeal basis over a period of 23 years. It is a very joyous occasion
for the Muslims of the world. Muslims fast during the day and pray and read
Quran during the part of the night. There is a special night called the Night
of Power, which is mentioned in the Quran, as a night of mercy and light and
worshiping during this night is better than 1,000 months. During this night
Quran was sent to the 1st level of heaven. Allah (the God Almighty) send down special angels during this night to pray for the
mercy of Allah (the God Almighty) and salvation for the believers.
Unlike common calendar, which is Solar
based, Islamic calendar is Lunar based. It does not mean that Muslims worship
moon. It is simply another way to count days of the month and the year. Like
all Islamic months, Ramadan, the 9th lunar month, begins after sighting
Crescent, and not the birth of the new moon. All healthy Muslim adult including
homemakers, school-going kids around the age of 13, factory workers,
businessmen and others among them will be fasting. Muslim get
up very early to take their sahoor, a pre-dawn meal before starting their fast.
At the completion of month of Fasting,
Muslims all over the world celebrate their holiday of Eidul-Fitr. It is a true
thanksgiving for a Muslim believer for having the opportunity to obey Allah
(the God Almighty) by observing Fasting. It is celebrated on the 1st day of
10th lunar month, Shawwaal. The holiday begins with Muslims putting on their
best preferably new clothes and going to the Eid congregation. Eid
congregations are very large gathering of Muslim men, women and children across
the world. Afterwards, people greet each other with hugs and handshakes. The
children receive gifts. After the congregation, Muslims visit each other at
their homes and hold lunches or dinners for family and friends.