Ten Ways to Receive Ramadan


Muslims should not neglect the seasons of worship; rather, they must be among the first to excel in and compete in them. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): 

So for this let the competitors compete

[Quran 83:26]

So, we must try our best to receive the month of Ramadan in the following recommended ways: 

The first way: Supplicate Allah The Almighty to keep you alive and in good health until Ramadan comes so that you will be able to actively worship Allah The Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, that when the month of Rajab came, the Prophet, , said:

 O Allah, bless Rajab and Sha‘baan for us, and let us live till the coming of Ramadan

 [Ahmad and At-Tabaraani]

The righteous predecessors used to supplicate Allah The Almighty to let them live until the coming of Ramadan and to accept it from them. At the sighting of the new moon, supplicate Allah The Almighty saying:

 O Allah, let this moon come to us with security and faith; with safety and Islam; and guidance to what You love and approve. My Lord and your Lord is Allah

[At-Tirmithi, Ad-Daarimi, and Ibn Hibbaan: Saheeh]

The second way: Thanking Allah The Almighty for attending this month. In his book Al-Athkaar, Imaam An-Nawawi  says, "It is recommended for the person who experiences an obvious favor or is protected from an obvious curse that he prostrates in gratefulness to Allah The Almighty or praises Him duly." Among the greatest blessings Allah The Almighty grants the slave is guiding him to obedience and worship. When Ramadan comes and the Muslim is in good health, this is a great blessing worthy of thankfulness and it requires the praise of Allah The Almighty Who bestows it. All perfect and continuous praise be to Allah The Almighty as suits the majesty of His Face and His Great Authority.

The third way: Happiness and joy. The Prophet, , was authentically reported to have congratulated his Companions on the coming of Ramadan. The Prophet, , said: 

Ramadan has come to you. It is a blessed month during which Allah The Almighty Prescribed fasting and in this month the gates of the heavens are open and the gates of Hell are shut

[Ahmad]

Our righteous predecessors, the Companions of the Prophet, , and those who followed them in the best way, used to take great care of the month of Ramadan and were happy with its arrival. There is no happiness greater than receiving the news of the approach of Ramadan, the season of blessings and the descent of mercy.

The fourth way: Planning in advance how to benefit from Ramadan. Unfortunately, many people -- even practicing Muslims -- draw detailed plans for worldly affairs of this life, whereas only a few of them plan for the affairs of the Hereafter. This results from the lack of awareness about the mission of the believer in this life, or forgetting or deliberately ignoring that there are numerous chances for the Muslim with Allah The Almighty and important periods of time to train oneself in to be firm in this regard. Planning for the affairs of the Hereafter includes planning to invest Ramadan in acts of worship. A Muslim must put a practical plan into action that spans the days and nights of Ramadan in obedience to Allah The Almighty. This message is supposed to help the person spend the duration of Ramadan in obeying Allah The Almighty – Allah willing.

The fifth way: Beingsincerely determined to be among the believers who achieve success and felicity in Ramadan and fill its days with righteous deeds. If a Muslim is true to Allah The Almighty, He will fulfill His promise to him, help him in worship, and facilitate the ways of goodness for him. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): 

If they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them

[Quran 47:21]

The sixth way: Learning and understanding the Fiqh rulings related to fasting in Ramadan. The believer has to worship Allah The Almighty with knowledge, and is not excused for his ignorance of the obligations Allah The Almighty prescribed for people. This includes fasting in Ramadan. The Muslim is obliged  to learn the issues and rulings related to fasting before the coming ofRamadan so that his fasting will be correct and accepted by Allah The Almighty Who Says (what means): 

So ask the people of the message if you do not know

[Quran 21:7]

The seventh way: We have to receive this month with the decision to give up sins and misdeeds, sincerely repent of them all, stop them, and not commit them again. Ramadan is the month of repentance and if a person misses this chance, when will he repent? Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed

[Quran 24:31]

The eighth way: Being spiritually and psychologically prepared. This could be done by reading books and articles, and listening to beneficial lectures and discourses which highlight the virtues and rulings of fasting, so that the soul is prepared for worship in this month. The Prophet, , used to prepare the souls of his Companions to utilize this meritorious month by saying on the last day of Sha‘baan: 

Ramadan has come to you 

[Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i]

The ninth way: Prepare oneself well for calling to Allah The Almighty in Ramadan. This can be done in the following ways:

1- Preparing short sermons and lessons to be given in the neighbourhood Masjid if possible.

2- Distributing some booklets and articles of admonition and jurisprudence related to Ramadan to the worshipers and people in your area.

3- Preparing some gifts for Ramadan, which could be envelopes containing two tapes and a booklet marked "Gift for Ramadan."

4- Reminding people of our duties towards the poor and needy and giving them charity and Zakah (obligatory charity).

The tenth way: We receive the month of Ramadan by opening a bright new page with:

a- Allah The Almighty by sincerely repenting to Him.

b- The Messenger of Allah, , by obeying his orders and avoiding what he prohibited and warned against.

c- Parents, relatives, and one’s spouse and children by being dutiful to them and maintaining ties with them

d- Society by being a righteous and useful person. The Prophet, , said: "The best of people is the one who benefits them most."

This is how the Muslim receives the month of Ramadan like a barren land which is in need of water, a patient when he sees the doctor and the lover when he receives his long-awaited absent loved one.

O Allah, Keep us alive till the coming of Ramadan and accept it from us! Indeed, You are The Hearing The Knowing!

 

   Introduction to Fasting.

Objectives

· To identify the types of fasting in Islam.

·To realize the obligation to fast Ramadan.

·To identify who is exempt from fasting.

·To learn how to fast in Ramadan.

·To learn what must be avoided while fasting.

·To knowledge of special regulations for Muslim women.

Arabic Terms

· Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.  It is the month in which the obligatory fasting has been prescribed.

·Salah - the Arabic word to denote a direct connection between the believer and Allah.  More specifically.in Islam it refers to the formal five daily prayers and is the most important form of worship.

· Zakah - obligatory charity.

· Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha – the names of five daily prayers in Islam.

·Taraweeh - These are special prayers performed in Ramadan after Isha prayers and in which long portions of the Quran are             recited

· Iftar - meal to break the fast.

· Suhoor - pre-dawn meal eaten by fasting Muslims.

Types of Fasting


First thing to know is that fasting is of two types: obligatory and voluntary.  Obligatory fasts are required worship - as a Muslim I do not have the option to leave it without incurring sin.  Voluntary fasts are optional - I may keep them or not. If I don’t, I won’t incur any sin, but I will get extra reward for keeping them.  In this lesson we will focus only on the most important obligatory fasts that are kept in the month of Ramadan.

Fasting In Ramadan


Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam as

the Prophet said

Islam is built on five pillars: testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, the establishment of the prayer, the giving of zakah, the fast of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca

Saheeh Al-Bukhari

Fasting in Ramadan is an obligation on every Muslim who has reached the age of puberty. 

Allah said in the Quran

So whoever witnesses the month should fast it.

Quran 2:185

Whoever does not fast during Ramadan without a legitimate excuse commits what is considered a major sin.

Who is Exempt from Fasting?


(1)  A Muslim child who has not yet reached puberty is exempt from fasting till one of the following signs of puberty appear:

      (a) discharge of semen, whether by experiencing a wet dream or otherwise

      (b) growth of pubic hair

      (c) menstruation

      (d) a person has turned 15

(2)  If you are traveling in Ramadan, you have the option not to fast. If you choose not to, you must make up for the days missed at a later time before the following Ramadan.

(3)  A woman is not allowed to fast during menstruation or post-natal bleeding, and she must perform the number of fasts she missed on other days before the following Ramadan.

(4)  A pregnant or breast-feeding woman may be exempted from fasting if it proves harmful to her or the infant.  This case is discussed in more detail below.

(5)  The mentally insane are also exempt from fasting.

(6)  The Merciful Lord does not burden a soul beyond its ability.  If you are sick, you are also exempt from fasting.

There are two issues to know here:

First, how sick is sick?  Cough or minor headache is not serious enough not to fast, but if there is medical reason, and you know from experience, or are certain that fasting will make your illness worse or delay recovery, you do not need to fast.

Second, you should make up the days when you get better.

The chronically ill who do not foresee any chance of recovery must feed a poor person for every day of Ramadan they miss. They do not need to fast for them on other days.

(8)  Those too old to fast are also exempt from fasting, and they too must feed a poor person for every day of Ramadan they miss.

How Do I Fast in Ramadan?


First, check with your local mosque for the beginning of Ramadan by calling or visiting them.  Usually, mosques print a special schedule for Ramadan that will tell you the times for starting and ending the fast (the time of Fajr and Maghrib, respectively) and maybe even the time for the Taraweeh prayer.

Second, intend in your heart the night before that you will fast the next day based on what the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him,

said

There is no fast for the person who did not intend to fast from the night before

An-Nasa’i

Figure 1 Specimen Ramadan Schedule for Seattle residents prepared using www.islamicfinder.org.  For example, on Tuesday, the first day of Ramadan, take your pre-dawn meal (suhoor) before 5:50 am.  You can resume eating and drinking (iftar) at 6:43 pm.

Second, wake up well before time for Fajr begins and have your pre-dawn meal called suhoor.  You may hear Indians and Pakistanis refer to suhoor as seh-ri.  Some calendars may mention a time when you should stop eating before Fajr. There is really no basis for this and should be ignored, as clear texts show that it is allowed to eat and drink up and until the time of Fajr. One may, on the safe side, stop eating and drinking a few minutes before the time for Fajr starts, as most people use a time schedule and there is no guarantee that their watches are 100% correct.  Allow yourself enough time beforehand to eat and drink, because if you wake up late after time for Fajr has started, you can not have your pre-dawn meal and have to fast rest of the day on an empty stomach! If you happen to sleep through the Fajr prayer time frame and wake up after sunrise, you must fast for the remainder of the day, and the fast is still valid.

Third, you must abstain completely from things that break and invalidate the fast that are discussed below.  It is basically no eating, drinking, or having marital relations.

Fourth, the time for Maghrib or evening salah begins when the sun sets.  That’s also when you ‘break’ your fast and can resume eating and drinking.  This meal is called ‘iftar’.  The Prophet would first break his fast, even if only with a sip of water, and then pray the dusk or Maghrib salah.  You are totally free to have your dinner at this time or later, however, you should not miss the Maghrib prayer because you are busy eating!

What Can I Not Do While Fasting?


You essentially fast from dawn (time for Fajr) till sunset (time for Maghrib).  From dawn to dusk you must stay away from:

· Eating or drinking, including taking pills or oral medicines.  If you ate or drank by mistake, that is, you forgot you were fasting, then do not worry.  Continue to refrain for the rest of the day. It is forgiven, the fasting is valid, and the day will count. The Prophet of Mercy,

may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said

If he forgets, and eats and drinks, then let him complete his fast, for Allah has fed him and given him to drink.”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari

· Sexual intercourse, whether one ejaculates or not, invalidates the fast.   Beware of this most serious violation of the fast that incurs sin and a heavy penalty to make up.  For this reason, even kissing is forbidden if there is a risk that it will lead to intercourse.  Again, this is just during the day when you are fasting. There are no restrictions at night.  By extension, masturbation also invalidates fasting.

· Self-induced vomiting ruins the fast as

the Prophet said

Whoever vomits unintentionally does not have to make up the fast later, but whoever vomits on purpose does have to make up the fast

Al-Tirmidhi

· Smoking, prohibited at all times, also invalidates the fast.[1]

Special Regulations for Women


(1)  Menstruation & Post-Natal bleeding

If the period begins before sunset, the woman’s fast is invalidated and she has to make up that day.  During the rest of her period she cannot fast.  If she becomes pure before Fajr then she should fast, even if she does not bathe until after the time of Fajrstarts.  All the missed days have to be made up after Ramadan.

(2)Pregnancy and Nursing

Both nursing and pregnant women are required to fast in Ramadan.  You should not fast if you fear harm for yourself or your child, or if it is too physically difficult.  . On the other hand, if fasting does not result in hardship or harm, then a pregnant or nursing mother must fast.