RAMADAN AND FASTING
The Month of Ramadan:
Ramadan, the ninth month of the
Islamic lunar calendar, may be 29 or 30 days long. An
Islamic month begins with the sighting of the new crescent
in the western horizon, immediately after sunset. Muslims
look toward the western horizon for the new moon on the
29th day of Sha'ban, the eighth month. If the new moon is
sighted, Ramadan has begun with the sunset but fasting
begins with the next dawn. If the new moon is not sighted
on this 29th day, Muslims complete 30 days of Sha'ban and
Ramadan begins the following day.
The Significance of Ramadan and Fasting:
Allah says in
the Qur'an:
'O You who believe! Fasting is prescribed for
you, even as it was prescribed for those before
you, that you may attain God-consciousness.
2:183
"In the month of Ramadan the Quran was
revealed, a book of guidance with proofs of
guidance distinguishing right from wrong.
Therefore whoever of you is present in that
month let him fast. But who is ill or on a
journey shall fast a similar number of days later
on. Allah desires your well-being, not your
discomfort. He desires you to fast the whole
month so that you may magnify Him and render
thanks to Him for giving you His guidance."
2:185
Accordingly, the month of Ramadan is called the month of
the Qur'an, therefore, Muslims have tradition of reciting
Qur'an frequently in this month.
Sawm or Fasting:
Sawm means a fast that begins with
dawn and ends with sunset. Muslims rise before dawn, eat
Sahur (pre-dawn meal) and drink liquids for the preparation
of sawm (fasting). Eating and drinking stops at dawn.
During the day no eating, drinking or sexual activity is
allowed. In addition, a Muslim must adhere to the moral
code of Islam very strictly as failure violates the
requirements of fasting.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the deeds of
worship required of all Muslims who have attained puberty.
Women who are having their menstrual period or who have
not fully recovered from childbirth postpone the fast until
they are completely out of their special conditions. In
addition, those who are ill or in travel may choose to
postpone their fast.
Muslims fast because Allah has commanded them to do
so. However, they may also think about the benefits of
fasting which may include developing control over hunger,
thirst and sexual urges, training to be a good moral person
and, testing sincerity to the Creator. During the fast,
Muslims may conduct their business as usual. However, in
the Muslim countries working hours are shortened by a
couple of hours a day and the hours are changed to make
the work comfortable.
The fast is broken immediately after sunset by, usually,
eating dates and drinking water or juice. However, any
lawful food or drink may be used to break the fast. This is
followed by the Maghrib salah (after sunset prayer) which
is followed by a complete meal. After a brief rest, Muslims
go to the mosque to offer the 'Isha salah (night prayer) and
then a special night prayer, called taraweeh.
Taraweeh: This nightly congregational salah (prayer) is
performed after the 'Isha salah. Traditionally, a Hafiz of
the Qur'an, a person who has memorized the whole Qur'an
which is in Arabic, leads the prayer. He recites the Qur'an
in small portions, in proper sequence, every night and
completes the recitation of the whole Qur'an before the end
of the month of Ramadan. Every Muslim who attends such
prayers regularly gets the opportunity of listening to the
whole Qur'an in a month. If a Hafiz of the Qur'an is not
available, the Muslim who has memorized the most in a
group leads the prayer and recites according to his ability.
In the absence of a Hafiz some Muslims hold the Qur'an in
the hand during their salah and read from it. Some Islamic
scholars cite the report of the Prophet (pbuh) that, with the
exception of three nights in one Ramadan, he always prayed
during the night in his apartment whether it was Ramadan
or not.
Ramadan Generosity:
The month of Ramadan brings many
blessings multiplied manifold for those who do good.
During this month people are more generous, more cordial,
more friendly and more ready than other times of the year
to do good work. The poor and the needy receive food,
clothing and money from the well-to-do in the community.
Many people go to the mosque in the neighborhood for fast
breaking and meals. People in the neighborhood send fruit,
food and drinks to the mosque - the atmosphere is that of a
friendly pot luck dinner every evening of the month.
Well-known philanthropists of the Muslim community
find themselves surrounded by the needy people and Islamic
workers for donations. Zakat, a wealth purifying tax, and
donations are given at this time of the year since many
Muslims wish to take the opportunity of multiplied rewards
from Allah.
Laylat al-Qadr: This is the night of the Qadr. The term Al-
Qadr has been frequently translated as "the power". A
better translation may be "the value" or "the decree"
because Allah says the value of this night is better than one
thousand months, a life time of over eighty-three years.
Allah sends His decrees in this night. This is the night when
the Qur'an was revealed. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"We have indeed revealed this (the Quran) in
the Night of Value (or Measure). And what will
explain to you what the Night of Value is? The
Night of Value is better than a thousand months.
Therein come down angels and the Spirit (the
angel Gabriel) by Allah's permission with all
decrees. (That night is) Peace until the rising of
the dawn. " 97:1-5
The night of value is a gift to mankind from Allah.
However, it is not clear which night is Laylat al-Qadr.
Some reports by companions of the Prophet (pbuh) allude it to be
the 27th night of the month of Ramadan, but many more
sayings point to any of the odd date nights during the last
third of the month of Ramadan. According to authentic
teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Muslims are advised
to spend the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th nights of
Ramadan in worship and doing good works to assure
finding Laylat al-Qadr. A portion of the Muslims stay up
all night in prayers and good works, however, the Prophet(pbuh)
and his companions used to sleep at least one-third of the
night.
In Muslim countries, the 27th of Ramadan is a holiday to
enable people to rest during the day after all night of
worship. Schools are closed from the 27th of Ramadan
through the 2nd of Shawwal (5 to 6 days) to combine Laylat
al-Qadr and 'Eid al-Fitr observances.
I'tekaf or Seclusion:
The practice of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) was to spend the last ten days and nights of
Ramadan in the masjid (mosque). Following his practice, it
is considered a community duty that some people go in
I'tekaf (seclusion) in a neighborhood masjid. The people in
I'tekaf spend their time in various forms of Dhikr
(remembrance of Allah), such as doing extra salah,
recitation and study of the Qur'an, study of the Hadith,
repetition of some phrases of praise and glory to Allah,
exhorting each other to be good through obeying Allah and
His Messenger (pbuh). Since people in I'tekaf are not permitted
to go outside the masjid except for emergencies, they sleep
in the masjid and use available facilities of the masjid.
The food for the people in I'tekaf is provided either by
their own families or people in the community. Itekaf is
terminated, generally, at the declaration of sighting of the
moon or the end of the month of Ramadan. For busy people
a shorter version of I'tekaf is allowed, such as one night,
one day or a few days.
Sadaqat al-Fitr:
In general, any material help extended to
the poor, needy and to those who ask and are deserving is
called Sadaqah. Sadaqat al-Fitr, which is also called Zakat
al-Fitr is the obligatory material help extended to the poor
of the society before the 'Eid prayers, preferably to be
given early enough for the poor to prepare for the
celebration. In North America, the estimated amount is $5
to $8 to be given on behalf of each member of the donor's
family, including infants.
'Eid al-Fitr:
The end of the fasting month is celebrated on
the first of Shawwal, the 10th month, which follows
Ramadan. Traditionally, on the 29th of Ramadan after
sunset, people go out in the open looking for a new crescent
in the western horizon where the sun sets. If the crescent is
sighted, the end of Ramadan and 'Eid are declared. If the
crescent is not sighted, Ramadan is extended by one day.
On the day of 'Eid, people take a bath or shower in the
early morning, eat breakfast, wear their best clothes, apply
perfume and proceed to the place of 'Eid congregation
while pronouncing takbeerat, saying, "Allah is the Greatest,
there is no deity but Allah and all praise belongs to Allah."
Muslims pronounce takbeerat in their homes, in the street
and at the place of congregation while waiting for the
leader, Imam. It was the practice of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) to hold 'Eid prayer congregations in open
grounds. Following the practice of the Prophet(s) Muslims
are advised to hold 'Eid prayers in open grounds. In the
Muslim countries with warm climate there are designated
'Eid prayer grounds. However, in North America Muslims
rent halls at convention centers or major hotels.
The Imam rises at the appointed time, leads the prayers
and delivers a khutbah, sermon. At the end of the sermon,
people supplicate, greet, embrace and congratulate each
other for the successful completion of Ramadan and ask
Allah for the acceptance of their efforts in His obedience.
During the day, people visit each other and children may
receive gifts. In some countries, people go for picnics and
other gatherings. In addition, special 'Eid celebrations may
be arranged at work or in social settings. Essentially, 'Eid
is a day of thanks to Allah, and also a gathering of family
and friends.
'Umrah or Minor Hajj in 'Ramadan:
There is a report
from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) saying that performing 'Umrah
in the month of Ramadan is equal to performing a major or
complete Hajj. Hajj is a pilgrimage to Makkah (commonly
misspelled as Mecca). Hajj is the enactment of some of the
trials and tribulations of Prophet Abraham(A), his wife
Hajirah (Hagger) and his oldest son, Isma'il(A) (Ishmael).
Hajj includes the sacrifice of Ishmael, represented by the
sacrifice of an animal, such as, ram, goat, sheep, cow or a
camel. Complete Hajj lasts for five days but 'Umrah is
completed in a couple of hours. 'Umrah is only a small part
of the Hajj. An animal sacrifice may be offered at the
completion of 'Umrah. 'Umrah may be performed anytime
during the year but it has special significance in Ramadan.
Hajj is performed only during the 8th and 13th days of Dhu
al-Hijjah, the twelveth month of the Islamic calendar.
M. Amir Ali, Ph.D.
(S) Superscript denotes, "salutations of Allah and peace be upon him.
(A) Superscript denotes, "peace be upon him" which is used for all
prophets and messengers of Allah.
For more information contact:
The Institute of Islamic
Information & Education
P.O. Box 41129
Chicago, Illinois 60641-0129
Tel. (312) 777-7443 * Fax. (312) 777-7199