WHAT IS RAMADAN? AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT IN WE MUSLIM FAITH?

WHAT IS RAMADAN? AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT IN WE MUSLIM FAITH? 

Ramadan is the name of the ninth month in the
Islamic lunar calendar. It is an important month in
the Islamic calendar and culture. Each day during the
month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world
observe the sacred month by fasting during day
light hours (from dawn to sunset), performing nightly
prayers in addition to the daily obligatory prayers,
and concluding each day’s fast over food with
family and friends. At the end of the month is a
three-day holiday that celebrates the conclusion of
the month with Eid al-Fitr and prepares individuals
to return to their regular daily routine.

Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. “The month of
Ramadan, during which the Qur’an was revealed, a
guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the
guidance and the criterion; and whoever of you is
resident, let him fast the month” (al-Qur’an, 2:185).

Fasting is compulsory upon every sane, adult,
healthy Muslim male who is not traveling at that
time. As for a Muslim female, she must not be
menstruating or having post-childbirth bleeding.

People who are insane, minors, and those who are
traveling, menstruating, or going through post-
childbirth bleeding, and the elderly and breast-
feeding or pregnant women do not need to observe
the fast.
[5/18, 5:28 AM] ‪+234 816 527 6625‬: There are those who may not fast but have to make
up the missed days of fasting at a later date.

These include those who are ill (not chronically) and
travelers. “And [for] him who is sick among you or
on a journey, [the same] number of other days.” (al-
Qur’an, 2:184). Elderly men and women are exempted
from fasting; so are the chronically ill, and those
who have to perform difficult jobs under harsh
circumstances and who could not find any other way
to support themselves.

 They are not obliged to
make up the days they missed but in turn are
obliged to feed one poor person a day (for every day
of fasting that they do not perform). Pregnant and
breast-feeding women who fear for themselves or
for their babies may break their fast, feed one poor
person for every day they miss, and make up the
missed days at a later time. Women who are
constantly pregnant or breast-feeding are not obliged
to make up the days.

 Though the young are not
required to fast, it is proper for their parents or
guardians to encourage them to fast so they will
become accustomed to it at an early age. They may
fast as long as they are able to and then break it.
[5/18, 5:28 AM] ‪+234 816 527 6625‬: The main objective of fasting is to achieve piety and
righteousness. This implies becoming conscious of
our Creator, increasing our awareness of His Majesty,
exalting and glorifying His names and attributes,
appreciating His greatness, recalling His blessings
upon us, and being grateful and thankful for His
guidance. “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed
to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so
you may remain conscious of God” (al-Qur’an, 2 :
183).

During Ramadan while individuals abstain from food
and drink during day light hours, they get together
over food with families and friends in the evenings.

The meal with which the fast is broken is called
iftar. Usually the meal is simple designed to provide
nourishment, but may sometimes be sumptuous
when there is a large get-together of family and
friends.
[5/18, 5:28 AM] ‪+234 816 527 6625‬: WE ARE GOIN TO STOP HERE FOR TODAY ..KINDLY BEAR WITH ME:;👇

Abstaining from food has great ramification on the
person observing the fast, physical as well as
spiritual. It is an exercise for the discipline and
control of the baser self.

 One learns how to restrain
one’s urges and desires. Fasting frees the person
from the bondage of lusts and desires. Abstaining
from intakes also reminds us of the less fortunate
ones, the poor and the destitute. Fasting gives us a
general sense of how they feel.

It boosts the morale
of the poor by knowing that even kings have to go
hungry for a while. Fasting makes the rich realize
and understand what the poor goes through day after
day. Fasting also purifies one’s heart and tongue.
One is urged to control himself and learn how to
abstain from vain talk, lying, and cheating.

ALTHOUGH fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method
of self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting
oneself from worldly comforts, even for a short time,
a fasting person focuses on his or her purpose in
life by constantly being aware of the presence of
God.



RAMADAN KAREEM ..