Fasting inRamadan–A Guide for New Muslims

[فداء الرسول]

Fasting inRamadan–A Guide for New Muslims
www.newmuslims.org.uk
What is fasting
• Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam
• Fasting is to abstain from consumption and certain acts between the start of dawn and sunset
• Many other faiths have or had types of fasting prescribed upon them
• Fasting in Islam is an act of worship done solely for the sake of Allah
Virtues of fasting
• The one who fasts will get multiple rewards from Allah
• Fasting is a shield from the fireof Hell
• In the hereafter, fasting will intercede for the one who fasted
• The one who fasts will be allowed to enter paradise through a special gate called Ar-Rayyaan
The Islamic month of Ramadanand its virtues
• The commencement and ending of Ramadan is dependent upon the sighting of the new moon
• It is theninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and can consist of 29 or 30 days
• It is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed
• In the month of Ramadan the Shayateen are chained up
• The one who fasts sincerely in Ramadan can have his entire sins forgiven
Upon whom it is obligatory to fastin Ramadan
• It is obligatory for all to fast during the month of Ramadan
• Those who are exempt are
o Menstruating women and post natal
o Childrenbelow the age of puberty
o The insane
o The sick (short term during which fasting would harm health and long term)
o The elderlywho find it difficult to fast
o Pregnant and breastfeeding womenwho fear for themselves or the child
o The travellerwho has difficulty in fasting
Starting of the fast and its manners
• The start time of the fast is calledimsak, suhooror sehri
• This is just before twilight appears at the start of true dawn (Fajr)
• It is recommended to eat a meal called suhoor close to the time of true dawn
• If not a meal, one should at least have a sip of water
An intention to fast should be madebefore the fast

[فداء الرسول]

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Ending of the fast and its manners • The time of opening the fast is called iftaar • It is when the sun sets (Maghrib) • It is recommended to open the fast with dates, if not then water • It is recommended to supplicate at the time of opening the fast ذهب الظمأ وابتلت العروق وثبت الأجر إن شاء الله Dhahaba azh-zhama’u, wa abtallat il-‘urooqu, wa thabata al-ajr insha’Allah The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills. Factors that break the fast • The person who is fasting is not permitted to eat or drink anything forthe duration of the fast • The person should not engage in any sexual relations or acts either • Deliberate vomiting breaks the fast • Smoking also breaks the fast Factors that do not break the fast • To clean the teeth using a miswak is actually recommended • If one wakes up junoob (major ritual impurity needing a ritual bath) this does not affect the fast • Having a showeror rinsing the mouth does not break the fast, but care must be taken not to swallow water • Forgetfully eating or drinking does not break the fast • Accidental vomiting does not break the fast Recommended actions when fasting in Ramadan • All good deeds are multiplied during Ramadan, so general good deeds should be increased • It is recommended to read the whole Qur’an during Ramadan, or as much as one can • Taraweehprayers are offered congregationally in the mosques after Esha • It is more likely that Du’as are accepted from the fasting person during Ramadan • It is also recommended to be generous and give charity • It is recommended to feed a fasting person when it is time to open the fast Things which should be avoided when fasting in Ramadan • Fasting is offered to Allah and acceptance may depend on the fasting persons behaviour • Arguing,fighting and using bad languagemay adversely affect the fast • It is prohibited to tells lies and backbite generally, but more so when fasting • Watching films with possible questionable content, listening to music, or doing other things which waste time may also affect the fast or even erase the reward altogether

[فداء الرسول]

The Night of Qadr

• The last ten nights of Ramadan are the most virtuous
• In these nights worship should increase
• The Night of Qadr occurs in the last ten nights
• It occurs in one of the odd nights, most people think it is likely to be the 27th night of Ramadan
• The Night of Qadr is worth more than a thousand months
• It is a great opportunity to increase the good deeds
• Some people stay in amosque in seclusion (I’tikaf) for these ten days and nights

Making up missed fasts

• A perpetual fast will never make up for one missed fastin Ramadan
• Some people who cannot fast can feed the needy to absolve themselvesby paying fidya (an amount enough
to feed a person for a day)
• One who misses a fast due to a valid reason, or breaks a fast would usually have to make it up
• The one who breaks the fast with sexual relations may need to make up with sixty consecutive fasts

Wisdom and benefits of fasting

• Fasting makes us empathize with those who are less fortunate than ourselves
• Fasting helps us to be grateful to our Creator for the blessings He has given us
• Fasting also allows us to control our desires and increase our will power
• Sharing food with friends and family strengthens family ties and friendships
• Fasting increases the awareness of Allah and heightens spirituality during the fasting period
• Proper fasting should regulate our eating habits and prevent obesity
• Fasting is recommended by many scientific and medical experts as being good for the health