Ramadan
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
confession of faith, five daily prayers, Zakah (almsgiving) and Hajj
(pilgrimage to Makkah).
Ramadan starts upon the sighting of the moon, which is largely determined by the Crescent Committee of every countries.
Why Muslims Fast
Fasting
in Ramadan is a main pillar 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”. Fasting,
which is recognized for its health, spiritual and psychological
benefits, is considered by Muslims as a means to improve their moral
characters and provides an opportunity for a spiritual renewal.
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 one's 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.
How Muslims Fast
Muslims
fast from early dawn to sunset every day throughout the month
(approximately 17 hours a day). The fast requires Muslims to abstain
from food, drink, marital relations and ill-conduct during the fast.
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.
Typical day during the Month
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.
Fitrah $7.00 Per Person and
Fidya is $10.00 Per Person for Each Day.
End of Ramadan
Ramadan will conclude depending on the sighting of the moon. The celebration marking the end of Ramadan is called Eid-ul-Fitr.
Allahu a'lam . JazakAllahu Khairan .
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