Some Common Mistakes in Ramadhan

1 : Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Jibreel said to me, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven, and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, and I said, Ameen.’”

(Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

2 : Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) " [al-Araaf :31]

3 : Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

The Moon and Eid

There is a debate among the Muslim community on just how to calculate the beginning of the month of Ramadan (or indeed any month, but Ramadan takes on special importance). The traditional methods mentioned in the Qur'an and followed by the Prophet Muhammad, is to look to the sky and visibly sight the slight crescent moon (hilal) that marks the beginning of the month. If one sees the hilal at night, the next day is the first day of Ramadan and thus the first day of fasting. At the end of the month, when the community sights the hilal again, the Festival of Fast-Breaking (EID_UL_FITR) begins.

Over the years, various scholars and communities have answered this question in different ways. The prevailing opinion is that one should commit to a local moon-sighting, i.e. begin and end Ramadan based on the sighting of the moon in your local vicinity. Astronomical calculations can help us predict when the moon should be visible, but Muslims still tend to follow the traditional method of looking at the sky themselves and physically "sighting" the moon. Thus, the exact day of the beginning of Ramadan is not generally known until the night before the fast begins, when the moon is actually sighted and confirmed.

There are many hadith available regarding the moon sighting of Ramadan the messenger of ALLHA PROPHET MOHAMAD (PBUH) said : (HADITH_No 2378 SAHIH MUSLIM) Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadan) observe fast, and when you sight it (the new moon of Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe fast for thirty days.

In another hadith PROPHET said: (SAHIH MUSLIM HADITH_No 2379) Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).

Islam has taught us when to start the holy month and when to end it and celebrate Eid_ul_Fitr and we can find these teaching through different hadith and Quran.

30 Days of Ramadan

God has gifted the month in which all ‘shieatien’ evils are been captured and mercy of God is appears for every one Muslims called this month the month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan has 30 days some time 29 days it depends on the sighting of moon. Muslims all around the world start fasting when they see the Ramadan moon and stop when they see the moon of shawal and prepare them self for EID_UL_FITR.

The month of Ramadan is divided into three parts which has different aspects in Islamic point of view these parts are called ‘ASHRA’ the first ashra is called the ‘ASHRA of REHMAT’ the second one is called ‘ASHRA of MUKHFIRAT’ and the last one is known as ‘ASHRA DOZAKH SY NIJJAT’ all these there Ashars have importance in Islamic point of view and Muslims all around the world pray in each Ashra.

This is mandatory on every Muslims to pray five time a day whether it is Ramadan or any other month but there is some special prayers which are arranged by Muslims in Ramadan and this prayer is called ‘TARAWHI’ in this prayer Muslims all round the world stand in front of ALLHA at the end of ‘ESHA PRAYER’ this prayer consist of ’20 rakats’ in which Muslims read Quran and pray to God to forgive them.

Ulemah give importance to reading of the Quran in Ramadan and stay awake in the nights of Ramadan especially in the last ASHRA of Ramadan, to find out the night which is better than 1000 nights, this night is known as LYLA_TUL_QADAR. Prophet Mohammad has clear words regarding the night that Prophet said ‘ In the month of Ramadan there is a night which is better then 1000 of nights so people find the night and ask forgiveness from God’

Zakat

Zakat is the one of the fundamental pillar of Islam with out which a person can not called him or her self a Muslim. As every Muslim believes that every thing belongs to GOD and the wealth is just been to human as a trust to give it back in the way of GOD. The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth' Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories of people.

This category of people is defined in surah at-Taubah (9) verse 60: "The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise." (The Holy Qur'an 9:60).

It is agreed between Muslims in all the centuries the obligatory nature of paying Zakat for gold and silver, and from those the other kinds of currency, Islam has set some standard for paying ZAKAT which is defined by many Islamic scholars and Islamic ulemah with the guidance of hadith and Quran according to hadith and Quran Zakat is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded. Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this nisab. The nisab (or minimum amount) of gold and golden currency is 20 mithqal, this is approximately 85 grams of pure gold. One mithqal is approximately 4.25 grams. The nisab of silver and silver currency is 200 dirhams, which is approximately 595 grams of pure silver. The nisab of other kinds of money and currency is to be scaled to that of gold, 85 grams of pure gold. This means that the nisab of money is the price of 85 grams of 999-type (pure) gold, on the day in which Zakat is paid. (Current Gold Prices)

Zakat is due on every adult Muslim after a time span of one lunar year passes with the money in the control of its owner. Then the owner needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as Zakat. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days).

Zakat_al_Fitr After Ramadan

Zakat al-Fitr is a small amount that Muslims are obliged to pay as charity at the end of Ramadan. Zakat al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr (voluntary charity).

The word Fitr means the same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast.

Thus, Islamically, Zakat al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadan.

Zakat al-Fitr is compulsory on those who can afford it, and it is a sin not to give it.Fitr is dependent on the major item of food consumed by a person during the year.

These may be rice, wheat, barley, dates, etc. In weight Fitr should be three Kilograms per person. It is also permissible to pay cash to the value of three Kilograms food grains.

It is obligatory on the head of the family to give Fitr of all persons (including servants of both sexes of any cast or creed) that take food in his house.

The Mercy Of Allah

As we live in the world, there are many returns, that most of us have experienced such as: The return of missing Child or the finding of any thing precious, these are the moments of joy and happiness, but do we know what is the Greatest Return; the greatest return of all is, when a sinful person, who has disobeyed the sayings of Allah and continuous to sin in this world, sincerely decides to do ‘Tauba’ which literally means to return, to his creator the most merciful Allah, there can never be a happier moment in the world comparable to this.

Returns to Allah Ta’ala with sincerity brings the blessings and mercy, from the most powerful personality existing in the world. Due to his mercy, those previously known as the Faasiq(sinner), are now known as the Habibullah(the beloved of Allah). Their crying and sobbing, when begging for forgiveness, is more closer to Allah Ta'ala, than the recitation of tasbeeh of those who are busy glorifying Allah Ta'ala.

This return is more rewarding, when a person asks for forgiveness, in the holy month of Ramadan, the object of the holly month, is to truly return to Allah by abstaining, from all sin, adopting good deeds and transforming your life style as the teachings of Islam The Qur'an-al-Kareem declares: “O you who believe, fasting has been made mandatory upon you, just as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that you may acquire taqwa (piety)” (S2:183). Taqwa in a simple terms is, giving up every sin and performing good deeds and living ones life as the saying of the Prophet. Taqwa cannot be acquired without sincere Tauba, to have Taqwa one should do sincere Touba and promise to not commit further sins.

Ramadan the Month of Victory

All praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. He who revealed in His Glorious Quran, “Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord (having taqwa),” 2:185.

Ramadan is the month in which ALLHA the almighty tests his creation by ensuring the ritual of fasting is carried out and gives them the opportunity to achieve his pleasure. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) passed through approximately nine Ramadans together after the Hijrah. They were filled with decisive events, that took place in Ramadan and left us a shining example of sacrifice and submission to Allah the Most exalted and High in the cause of making His Word the highest.

In Islamic history, there are many examples in which, momins are directed, to the way of islam and sacrifice their, life in the way of GOD, for instance the INCIDNT OF MASJID AL_DHIRAR, in which Muslims sacrificed their lives and took a stand, for the name of GOD.

In the first year after the Hijrah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Hamzah ibn Abdul Muttalib with thirty Muslim riders, to Saif al Bahr, to investigate three hundred riders from Quraish, who had camped auspiciously in that area. The Muslims were about to engage the disbelievers, but they were separated, by Majdy ibn Umar al-Juhany. The Hypocrites of Al-Madinah, hoping to oppose the unity of the Muslims, built their own masjid (called Masjid al-Dhirar). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered this masjid to be destroyed in Ramadan, after he returned from the ghazwah of Tabuk.

Another example, in which Muslims got victory, in the month of Ramadan, is the battle of BADAR, in which only 313 Muslims win against the army of thousands by the grace of GOD.

And indeed Allah assisted you at Badr when you were weak, so be observant to your duty to Allah, so that you may be of the thankful ones. When you said to the believers 'Does it not suffice you that your Lord should assist you with three thousand angels sent down." Surat Aali Imran 3:123 & 124

The battle of the BADAR was the first and the greatest battle of the world in which ALLHA ALMIGHTY, told his messenger (pbuh) that he will help Muslims with an army of thousands of angels, enabling Muslims to win against the big army.

Women And Islam

Islam is the religion of peace and mercy. In Islam men and women have the same rights, but some where Allha subhanutallh has gifted women with some extra rights. It should be understood that Islam is there, to bring ease to all aspects of our daily life. Allah grants special mercy for women, and requirements of worship are less hard for them than for men.

Women and men are exempt from fasting, during the time of traveling, (beyond fifty miles and a duration of more than one day) and during any illness, which is too severe to continue the fast, and if they are very old /or weak. Women, however, are further exempt from the fasting, if they are pregnant or are breast-feeding, unless fasting does not interrupt feeding schedules, nor creates a serious imbalance in the natural supply and quality of milk so as to disturb the baby. This exemption is again to facilitate women, as Allah intends the mother, should not have to undergo undue hardship.

A nursing mother cannot fast without the permission of the infant’s father, as she may be emotionally moved to observe fast, when doing so she may impair her health, or that of the baby. As the protector of the mother and child, the father is expected to be objective when taking his decision, not overly strict and not overly soft.

Women are also exempt from the fast of Ramadan during their monthly periods, a time when they are also given leave from performing the five times daily prayers. While some Muslims believe this state renders a woman unfit to pray or fast because she is “unclean”, the reality of the matter is that Allah subhana wa ta`ala in His Infinite Mercy has relieved women of their religious responsibilities during this period so that they may relax. During Ramadan and all other times throughout the year, part of the woman’s biological monthly cleansing process is that she not obstruct or collect the flow of unclean matter which issues from her womb, such as with the use of tampons, which is categorically haram (forbidden) and can cause severe toxic reactions in the body. A woman’s duty to fast in Ramadan resumes at the time when prayer becomes binding.

Women and men are each responsible for days of obligatory fasting which were not fulfilled. However, in the case of women who are aged and extremely weak or who suffer from long-term illness, Allah has allowed that their children may fast on their behalf to make up unfulfilled days of obligatory fasting. Under these circumstances the adult children make their intention to fast on behalf of the exempted parent, and each day of fasting must be observed independent from any other fasts.

For each day of obligatory fasting (in Ramadan) missed due to travel or temporary illness, both men and women must fast one day sometime before the next Ramadan. However, a pregnant woman or nursing mother who did not fast the entire month of Ramadan has been given the option to make up one day of fasting for one day missed (which is best), or she may feed two poor individuals for thirty days (sixty meals), or give sadaqah to the equivalent of sixty meals. Again, this option is intended to help women who are unable to make up an entire month of fasting, either due to illness, weakness, or because they are again pregnant or still nursing their baby, but who nevertheless need to make up missed days of fasting, which are a debt we are all held accountable for.

The days of the holy month of Ramadan

Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is "freedom from the fire."-Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh).

The first ten days of Ramadan is for mercy, we cannot be forgiven from the fire, unless we have the mercy of ALLHA, and to attain this mercy from ALLHA, we need to put some efforts. How can we expect to receive mercy, if we only deprive our bodies of food and drink? Of course not. So the holy month of Ramadan is the month to cleanse ourself, from the dirt of the world and stand in front of ALLHA, to ask the mercy.

Because Ramadan is meant for SPIRITUAL development through fasting. Physiologically, by fasting the body eliminates toxins efficiently and the mind becomes clear for "power thinking". ALLHA is looking for some sincere commitment from us, this is not just during Ramadan,but to be carried through out the year, we need to make a true commitment to GOD for his mercy.

The second 10 days of Ramadan is FORGIVENESS, we all must now beg to ALLHA for his mercy, because we all have broken so many of his rules and disobeyed him so many times, so this is the time to say ;istakwar; and ask him forgiveness. Ramadan is the month in which ALLHA forgives every one, even those who have committed several crimes, the mercy of ALLHA lays on them too.

The third and the last 10 days of Ramadan, are FREEDOM FROM THE FIRE, these are the last ten days of the holly month and these are the days in which Prophet was asked to find the night which is better than thousand nights, the night of ;LYLA_TU_QADAR; in which ALLHA himself asked his people, that is there anyone, who wants forgiveness and freedom from the fire, just imagine the creator of the world, the creator of human race asked this question from all his people and so all this came about, because of the spiritual and holly month of Ramadan, so don’t let this Ramadan pass, go ask for forgiveness and mercy in the month.

Taraweeh ( Prayer Of Ramadan)

There is no mention of Taraweeh in the Quran. These were initiated at the time of Allah's Messenger or of Hazrat Umar's. This is a question in history. The Shias and the sunnis have disagreement over it. Everyone is aware of these discussions and controversies. On the question whether the number of rak'ahs in Taraweeh is eight or twenty, there is a disagreement within the sunnis itself. And no one is unaware of these debates.

Islam is the name of the life for preserving a human being, within the boundary walls of the Quran. For this purpose, it is necessary that all humans (Muslims) must know, as to what are the boundary walls of the Quran and along with it, they must also get themselves, up for self-control. The month of Ramadan is the specific instrument for inculcating and substantiating each of these two matters: (i) what are the boundary walls of the Quran; and (ii) getting him/herself up for self-control. In the modern terminology, call it Training classes or a Refresher Course. Fasting makes humans get themselves up for leading striven-life through self-control. And its fixing is in this month, wherein the beginning of revelation of the Quran was initiated.

So it brings this stark fact to the fore-front. Special arrangements during this Training Course should be made for gushing forth the entire Quran to the striven-people, the Mujahideen so that they may fully comprehend, as to what the connection of "the sword and the Quran" is with each other; and That is how these two, "the sword and the Quran", became the instrument for safeguarding each other.

It appears that the Islamic system of the First Era was made, in order to bring the Quran, to the mind of the people, all at the same time and this method is now being performed, only to attain the reward of a virtuous act (Sawaab). It is because the way the Quran is recited now, during the Taraweeh, is neither understood by the Quran-conner, who causes others to hear it, as to what he had recited, nor do the disciples in the congregation comprehend as to what they have listened.

And it is obvious, that the way, the words of the Quran are repeated and heard without being understood, therefore, cannot make the exposition of the Quran understandable. And neither can it be known which design of life it carves for us. When the system of caliphate based on the precept of Nabuvva is established, its job will be to oversee, as to where the revamping is essential in our traditional mores and cores of life. It will then be the time, whence-fore the correct concept of "Sin and Sawaab" would come to the fore-view of the masses.

Fasting And Its History

Fasting is as old as the human race, All the major religions in the world, like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, expect their followers to fast in some form or another. It is believed that fasting has always been the same in all the major religions in the world but changes happened as time passed by and by the appearance of new sects in different religions.

The most common motives for fasting are religious ones. In a religious fast there are three primary purposes: self-control over the body and its appetites; focusing the mind on God or prayer; making sacrifice to God for offenses committed. The Western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have, from their inception, set aside certain times in the year for regular fasting observances.

Although the number of occasions on which fasting is practiced has tended to diminish over the centuries in all religions, most branches of Judaism still observe a Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) fast in the fall. Early Christianity developed a number of fasting periods: food was not eaten on Fridays in commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ.

Later a period of 40 fast days before Easter, called Lent, was set aside to allow Christians to meditate on the suffering of Jesus. In the 20th century the number of fast days has been dramatically reduced by the Roman Catholic church to two: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday the beginning and end of Lent.

The church formerly required abstinence from eating meat on most Fridays and certain other days, but this did not include any restriction on the amount of food eaten. Protestant churches generally leave fasting to individual choice. In Islam abstention from food and drink is required of all able Muslims from dawn until dusk each day of the month of Ramadan.

Concept Of Lail Tul Qadar

In Quran Allha Almighty said that "Their is night in the nights of Ramdan which is better then thousands of nights" and that night is described by the Name Laila Tul Qadar. According to this view "Lail tul Qadar" or "Shab Qadr" belongs to the transcendental world.

It is the most virtuous and the most reverend night of the year. Its complete detail has not even occurred in Hadith. However, according to this view, it is the Hadith through which it has been identified that it falls in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan: 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, the five nights.

The mind of great many religious scholars goes to the 27th night. It unfolds the open expediency of Sharia, that all the five nights and when it becomes a habit: all the ten nights be lived busy in striving for the Divine prayer, the invocation and the revamping of one's self.

Surely there would have been shower of special lightning and sparkling and a few of the pious men (Ahl-i-Dil) would have had the visibility of something through their material eyes.

Medical Benefits of Ramadan

There are many Muslims who fast in Ramadan, because it has been ordained in Quran to fast and they dont do for its medical benefits. The medical benefits of fasting are.

Fasting in general, has been used in medicine, for medical reasons, such as: weight management, for rest of the digestive tract and for lowering lipids. There are many adverse effects of total fasting, as well as so-called crash diets, but fasting in Ramadan or Islamic fasting is different, from such diet plans because in Ramadan fasting, there is no malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake. The caloric intake of Muslims during Ramadan is slightly below the national requirement guidelines. In addition fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily observed and is not a prescribed imposition from the physician.

Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and self-training, with the hope, that this training will last beyond the end of Ramadan. If the lessons learned during Ramadan, in terms of dietary intake or righteousness, are carried on after Ramadan, it is beneficial for one’s entire life. Moreover, the type of food taken during Ramadan does not have any selective criteria of crash diets such as,, those which are protein only or fruit only type diets. Everything that is permissible is taken in moderate quantities.

The only difference between Ramadan and total fasting is the timing of the food; during Ramadan, we basically miss lunch and take an early breakfast and do not eat until dusk. Abstinence from water during this period is not bad at all and in fact, it causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism; in fact, it has been shown that slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in plant life, improves their longevity.

The physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension. In 1994 the first International Congress on "Health and Ramadan," held in Casablanca, entered 50 research papers from all over the world, from Muslim and non-Muslim researchers who have done extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting. While improvement in many medical conditions was noted; however, in no way did fasting worsen any patients’ health or baseline medical condition. On the contrary, patients who are suffering from severe diseases, whether diabetes or coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc., are exempt from fasting and should not try to fast.

There are psychological effects of fasting as well. There is a peace and tranquility for those who fast during the month of Ramadan. Personal hostility is at a minimum, and the crime rate decreases. ... This psychological improvement could be related to better stabilization of blood glucose during fasting as hypoglycemia after eating, aggravates behavior changes. ... Similarly, recitation of the Quran not only produces a tranquility of heart and mind, but improves the memory also.

Ramadan and the Muslims

amadan is a month, in which Muslims, from all over the world observe fasting, as it is one of the pillars of Islam. In Islam fasting in Ramadan is mandatory, but one can also observe fasting in other months, like Rajab and Shabaan as, it is the time in which an individual's deeds are presented, before the holy month of Ramadan to the creator.

Fasting during other months, will also make a persons' body accustomed, to the physical and mental strain of fasting, during the entire month of Ramadan. Ramadan is not all about fasting, this month is very much there to thank God for all his blessings and to ask forgiveness from the creator of the world. As in Ramadan muslims fast, they also perform different types of prayers like Nawafil and tahajood. People start observing such prayers, just before Ramadan, so one can become used to standing, for the long periods of time in Ramadan and in Tarawee prayers.

Reading the, Quran is the best practice which, is mentioned by prophet Mohammad (pbuh), which is available in different kinds of Hadith, of him and even Written in the Quran. Muslims all over the world give importance to reading the Quran and it has great rewards, while reading the Quran in the holy month of Ramadan, which brings a person closer to ALLAH Subhana wa talla.

In the spiritual month of Ramadan is also about giving Sadaqah(charity), which is obligatory on everyone who can afford to, help others bringing the believer Closer to AllAH.

Controlling the tongue is most important, as backbiting is not encouraged in Ramadan or in any other month. (O ye who believe!...And do not speak ill of each other Behind their backs. Would any Of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay ye would abhor it..But fear God: For God is Oft-Returning Most Merciful). Surat Al-Hujurat: Verse 12 . it is important in the month of Ramadan, to have positive feelings for one's relatives, in the holy month asking about them will be appreciated. Fasting teaches us patience, as anger must be controlled and tempers kept in check.

Ramadan and Unity

Islam is a complete region and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) told us how to live a peace full life in the world. There are two things, on which we as muslims, should emphasis and should get knowledge of; one is peace and other is unity, both of these things are clearly indicated in the teachings of Islam, when talking about Ramadan, we need to understand and study the rules of Ramadan, according to the hadith of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), Abu Hurayrah ( radiyallaahu ’anhu ) related that the Prophet ( sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam ) said: "Fast when they fast, end the fast when they end theirs, and sacrifice the day that thy sacrifice. " [2]

Islamic scholars explained, this hadeeth by its sayings, Its meaning to fast and end the fast along with the Jamaa'ah and the majority of people." This hadeeth is a proof of the Prophet (pbuh) emphasizing on unity, in Ramadan and the celebrating of the EID festive, with all other muslims. This custom is very important in establishing the ’Eid festive, and that every individual, who believes,in the revelence of this day, of ’Eid - based on the sighting of the moon. - It is then obligatory upon every muslim, to be in agreement with his or her fellow muslim and that the ruling of the people - concerning the Prayer, breaking the fast, and sacrificing - is binding upon that individual."

Another Islamic scholar, explained its meaning as It is said: In it is a refutation, of those scholars, whom say that whosoever, knows the positions of the moon sighting, is due to astronomical calculations, it is then permissible, for him to fast and end the fast, even if others do not know. It is also said: 'that the individual witness who sees the moon, but the qaadee (judge) has not accepted his testimony, and then there is no fasting for him, just as there is no fasting for the people." By the hadith and its meaning, which has been explained by different scholars, we can say that Islam is emphasizes on doing ‘MASHWARA’ or sitting together and solving the problem, this is how Ramadan the holy month, shows the unity in order to fast or to celebrate the Eid festive, which are the two most important occasions for Muslims.

Ramadan The Month of Patience

Ramadan, how important this month is in the life of Muslims, we can have an idea by the saying of Prophet on the last day of Shahban "O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made Fasting compulsory by day. And has made sunnah the Taraweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a fardh in any other time. And whoever performs a fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraa-idh in any other time."

So based on this specific hadith of Prophet (pbuh) on the importance of Ramadan we can say that Ramadan is the month in which people should stay patient and calm, where as the true reward of this patience will be given in the shape of Jannah (paradise). This is the month in which the Rizq of true believers is increased by the grace of Allah, who ever feeds the one that fasts will gain lots of rewards in terms of Allah's happiness.

Regarding this a person asked the Prophet(pbuh) , "O messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast." And the messenger(pbuh) Replied to him "Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of water, or a sip of milk."

The month of Ramadan is divided in three categories The first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahan-nam."

The Salaf In Ramadaan

The first generation of Muslims, the pious Salaf, were undoubtedly the best of generations. Their character and way of life stand witness to this fact and is further confirmed by the statement of Allaah's Messenger, :

'The best of generations are my generation, then those which follow them, then those which follow them.' (Reported by Muslim)

They were indeed, the best amongst those who implemented the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad. So naturally it is their example that one must follow in all matters and Ramadaan is no exception. The Salaf were frugal with their own iftaar meals but generous hosts towards others.

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting

It should be known that there are three grades of fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special. Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.

Special Fasting means keeping one’s ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet — and all other organs — free from sin.

Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for those conducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are not of this lower world.

Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of God, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance.

To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of God. It does not lend itself to detailed examination in words, as its true nature is better revealed in action. It consists in utmost dedication to God, Great and Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than God, Exalted is He. It is bound up with the significance of His words: ‘Say: “Allah (sent it down)”: then leave them to play in their vain discussions.’ [al-An'am, 6:91]

Inward Requirements

As for Special Fasting, this is the kind practiced by the righteous. It means keeping all one’s organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment.

See Not What Displeases God

A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: ‘The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God’s curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.

Jabir relates from Anas that God’s Messenger, on him be peace, said: ‘Five things break a man’s Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze.’

Speak Not…

Guarding one’s tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making it observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting of the tongue. Said Sufyan: ‘Backbiting annuls the Fast.’ Layth quotes Mujahid as saying: ‘Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.’

The Prophet, on him be peace, said: ‘Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: “I am Fasting, I am Fasting!”‘

According to Tradition: ‘Two women were Fasting during the time of God’s Messenger, on him be peace. They were so fatigued towards the end of the day, from hunger and thirst, that they were on the verge of collapsing. They therefore sent a message to God’s Messenger, on him be peace, requesting permission to break their Fast. In response, the Prophet, on him be peace, sent them a bowl and said: “Tell them to vomit into it what they have eaten.” One of them vomited and half filled the bowl with fresh blood and tender meat, while the other brought up the same so that they filled it between them. The onlookers were astonished. Then the Prophet, on him be peace, said: “These two women have been Fasting from what God made lawful to them, and have broken their Fast on what God, Exalted is He, made unlawful to them. They sat together and indulged in backbiting, and here is the flesh of the people they maligned!”‘

Hear Not…

Closing one’s ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why God, Great and Glorious is He, equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer, in His words, Exalted is He: ‘Listeners to falsehood, consumers of illicit gain.’ [al- Ma'idah, 5:42]

God, Great and Glorious is He, also said: ‘Why do their rabbis and priests not forbid them to utter sin and consume unlawful profit?’ [al-Ma'idah, 5:63]

Silence in the face of backbiting is therefore unlawful. God, Exalted is He, said: ‘You are then just like them.’ [al-Nisa, 4:140] That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: ‘The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin.’

Do Not…

Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin: the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and the stomach from questionable food at the time for breaking Fast. It is meaningless to Fast — to abstain from lawful food – only to break one’s Fast on what is unlawful. A man who Fast like this may be compared to one who builds a castle but demolishes a city. Lawful food injurious in quantity not in quality, so Fasting is to reduce the former. A person might well give up excessive use of medicine, from fear of ill effects, but he would be a fool to switch to taking poison. The unlawful is a poison deadly to religion, while the lawful is a medicine, beneficial in small doses but harmful in excess. The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: ‘How many of those who Fast get nothing from it but hunger and thirst!’ This has been taken to mean those who break their Fast on unlawful food. Some say it refers to those who abstain from lawful food, but break their Fast on human flesh through backbiting, which is unlawful. Others consider it an allusion to those who do not guard their organs from sin.

Avoid Overeating

Not to over-indulge in lawful food at the time of breaking Fast, to the point of stuffing one’s belly. There is no receptacle more odious to God, Great and Glorious is He, than a belly stuffed full with lawful food. Of what use is the Fast as a means of conquering God’s enemy and abating appetite, if at the time of breaking it one not only makes up for all one has missed during the daytime, but perhaps also indulges in a variety of extra foods? It has even become the custom to stock up for Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuffs, so that more is consumed during that time than in the course of several other months put together. It is well known that the object of Fasting is to experience hunger and to check desire, in order to reinforce the soul in piety. If the stomach is starved from early morning till evening, so that its appetite is aroused and its craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is increased and its force exaggerated; passions are activated which would have lain dormant under normal conditions.

The spirit and secret nature of Fasting is to weaken the forces which are Satan’s means of leading us back to evil. It is therefore essential to cut down one’s intake to what one would consume on a normal night, when not Fasting. No benefit is derived from the Fast if one consumes as much as one would usually take during the day and night combined. Moreover, one of the properties consists in taking little sleep during the daytime, so that one feels the hunger and thirst and becomes conscious of the weakening of one’s powers, with the consequent purification of the heart.

One should let a certain degree of weakness carry over into the night, making it easier to perform the (tahajjud) and to recite the praises (awrad). It may then be that Satan will not hover around one’s heart, and that one will behold the Kingdom of Heaven. The Night of Destiny represents the night on which something of this Kingdom is revealed. This is what is meant by the words of God, Exalted is He:’We surely revealed it on the Night of Power.’ [al-Qadr, 97:1]

Anyone who puts a bag of food between his heart and his breast becomes blind to this revelation. Nor is keeping the stomach empty sufficient to remove the veil, unless one also empties the mind of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. That is the entire matter, and the starting point of it all is cutting down on food.

Look To God With Fear And Hope

After the Fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one’s Fast will be accepted, so that one will find favor with God, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship one performs.

It is related of al-Hasan ibn Abil Hasan al-Basri that he once passed by a group of people who were laughing merrily. He said: ‘God, Great and Glorious is He, has made the month of Ramadan a racecourse, on which His creatures compete in His worship. Some have come in first and won, while others have lagged behind and lost. It is absolutely amazing to find anybody laughing and playing about on the day when success attends the victors, and failure the wasters. By God, if the veil were lifted off, the doer of good would surely be preoccupied with his good works and the evildoer with his evil deeds.’ In too full of joy to indulge in idle sport, while for one who has suffered rejection laughter will be precluded by remorse.

Of al-Ahnaf ibn Qays it is reported that he was once told: ‘You are an aged elder; Fasting would enfeeble you.’ But he replied: ‘By this I am making ready for a long journey, Obedience to God, Glorified is He, is easier to endure than His punishment.’

Such are the inwardly significant meanings of Fasting.

The Month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is a great month. It is the month in which Allah revealed the Quran as a guidance for the whole of mankind. It is the month in which Allah gave the Muslims victory in their first and greatest battle at Badr. It is the month which has Laylat al-Qadr, a night which is better than a thousand months.

In Ramadan the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayaateen (devils) are tied up and the reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month.

Definition of Fasting

Fasting means abstaining from several things, from just before the starting of dawn (i.e. just before the start of Fajr) until sunset, with the intention of fasting.

A Muslim fasting must abstain from the following

Food and Drink

Sexual intercourse

masturbation (most scholars say this not allowed even when not fasting)

deliberately causing one's self to vomit

If these four things listed above are done deliberately a persons fast will be broken.