First published on: Is Ramadan All about Fasting?


 Jehad Adel

When I reflect on my concept of life as a Muslim, I feel that it is too rich and reasonable for my spirit and intellect. Nowadays, we are in Ramadan, one of the most preferable months for Muslims. To make the best use of it as much as possible, I need to prepare my plans from before. Indeed, this gives me meaning for my life. No time for boredom. Is Ramadan all about fasting? Or is Islam all about rituals? What are the secrets behind this month, when fasting is one of the pillars of Islam? Let’s explore…

Unique Preparation for Ramadan


     To begin with, Ramadan is one of the months in the Hijri Muslim Calendar. Muslims are prescribed to fast in this month daily from dawn to Sunset. Its fasting is the fourth pillar in Islam. Also, Ramadan time is a suitable time for accepting positive changes in life. This is due to the changes that happened in this month in the universe. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says:

When Ramadan begins the gates of heaven are opened.” A version has, “The gates of paradise are opened, the gates of jahannam [Hellfire] are locked, and the devils are chained.” (Hadith) (1)

Relation between Ramadan And Qur’an


     Adding to the previous merit, Allah ‘Only One God’ the Almighty has revealed His book ‘the Qur’an’ to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in this month. This indicates that the Qur’an has a special effect at that time. Generally, Qur’an is a book of guidance and healing for those who sincerely seek these meanings in this book. In Ramadan, the effect is greater. Thus, start to read the Qur’an if you want to discover yourself and the purpose of life. your journey is easier in Ramadan as the devils are chained.

Power of Supplication in Ramadan


     One of the powerful miracles of Ramadan is answering the supplications. when Allah speaks about the rulings of Ramadan in the Qur’an, he gives us this Verse in between to indicate this meaning:

And when My servants ask you, [O Muḥammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.” [Qur’an, 2: 186] (2)

Indeed, it’s so hard to live in this life without the Guardian. we, as humans, are so limited and weak. We don’t know the hidden. Thus, one of the beauties of Islam is to offer us protection and guidance of Allah the Almighty if we submit to Him. Allah the Almighty says in the Qur’an:

Allah is the Ultimate Guardian of those who have attained faith; He brings them out of the darkness(es) into the light, while those who have denied—their guardians are the false masters; they bring them out of the light into the darkness(es) . Those are the fellows of the Fire; therein they abide. [Qur’an, 2: 257] (3)

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

It’s time to come closer to your Creator and to ask Him your needs in addition to guidance. You suffer a lot, so no time for hesitation.

Ramadan Teaches Us Discipline


     No discipline means no success. Ramadan is a month with intensive treatment for soul diseases. Are you suffer from arrogance, laziness, lack of motivation, or other diseases that restrain you from success in life? Then Ramadan is the striking point for the change. 30-day fasting teaches patience, try to give it a shot! Choose one challenge in your life to start to work on in Ramadan.

Summary


     To summarize the steps you are to follow to touch the difference:

(1) Choose one challenge you want to work on.

 (2) Realize the uniqueness of this month; Ramadan.

(3) Start to read the Qur’an to know the purpose of life and to understand yourself and find answers for your existential questions.

(4) Make intensive supplication asking your Creator, the Guardian, to guide you and to help you to face your challenge.

There are about 7.8 billion people in the world. And around 25.6% of them; 2 billions, are fasting from sunup to sundown every day for an entire month of Ramadan. (1) Here is how to share Ramadan with Muslims?

But, wait!

What is Ramadan?


Ramadan isn’t like Christmas or Thanksgiving that everyone knows exactly when they’ll come. It bounces around because the Islamic calendar is lunar. When it begins depends on when the new moon is seen. That’s why the precise dates change from year to year.


 

Ramadan is a special month for Muslims because the fasting of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. Muslims believe that Ramadan is a month of spiritual charge for all the year. So Ramadan is so important for Muslims religiously and spiritually. 

How Do Muslims Fast?


Muslims start fasting in Ramadan from dawn to sunset without eating or drinking anything. Then start breaking their fasting from sunset where sharing foods with their families, friends or neighbors. After that they start their Voluntary Night Prayers ‘ Tarawih’.

So Ramadan time is beautiful, isn’t it? Hence, how to share Ramadan with Muslims if you have a Muslim friend, neighbor or co-worker? 🤔

How to Share Ramadan with Muslims?


These are my tips for you to interest with Muslims at Ramadan and to support them: 

1.Try to start your breakfast before dawn.


Muslims at Ramadan start their breakfast before dawn about 30 minutes which called ‘Suhoor’ as Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him commanded them:


 


Take a meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking a meal at that time.” (Hadith) (2)

Suhoor makes fasting more comfortable and tolerable. It helps to prevent nausea and headaches during the fasting hours, by regulating the level of sugar in the blood. It reduces thirst during the day. It makes digestion easy and efficient as well. And for you, It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients required for good health.

2.Try to make your supplication after dawn.


Muslims after eating their Suhoor go to pray the Fajr Prayer at the dawn time, when they take a breath starting a new birth of a new day. They feel peace and tranquility as it’s the best beginning for the day. Indeed, when you become nearest to your Only One God ‘Allah’, you become nearest to your real happiness.


 

3.Try to put yourself in Muslims’ shoes.


Some Muslims suffer from a misunderstanding of their non-Muslim friends  through the month of Ramadan in some points: 

We can’t drink coffee. Not even water. But we’ll walk with you if you want to take a break.

We may keep our distance from you due to Halitosis. You may try not to eat or drink for the entire day. That’s why we’re standing a foot away from you when we talk.

You can join us for Iftar (which is the breaking of the fast after sundown). We like to make it a big communal meal. You should come. We will be happy if you share with us our happy moment.

 


4.Try to take a rest with your God ‘Allah’ after your tiring day.


Muslims pray at Ramadan the Tarawih prayers. Tarawih is an Arabic word‎, literally means  “rest and relaxation;” a term introduced later. However, it’s actually called Qiyam al-Layl and Tahajjud in the Qur’an and authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad Sahih Hadith. It refers to the additional ritual prayers performed by Muslims at night after the Isha prayer during the holy month of Ramadan. And it’s recommended also after Ramadan, but most Muslims continuously do it only in Ramadan. They pray 11 Rakat with the recitation of the Quran in the prayer. While most of Muslims try to live with the words of the Quran as our God “Allah” talks to them. They are trying to finish the whole reading of the Quran through the month of Ramadan at Tarawih Prayer. Its amazing moments can’t be described but you will taste its beauty in heart and spirit.

Allah says in the Qur’an:


 


Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful. When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.”

One of every four people on Earth is a Muslim; so, here are some information about “Ramadan” month in a question and answer form.  

What is Ramadan?


Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar.  It is the ninth month of the Islamic-Lunar-year calendar. Muslims perform fasting (abstaining from eating, drinking and having sexual relations during daylight hours; from dawn to dusk) as a religious obligation.

When is Ramadan?


The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, it is shorter than the solar evangelic calendar by eleven days.  So; Ramadan moves around the solar year by eleven days annually.

How to Fast in Ramadan as a Muslim?


Muslims are obligated to fast every day from dawn to sunset (or from dawn to dusk).  Fasting is an obligatory act of worship which is abstinence from food, drink and sexual activity with one’s spouse during the day, but that’s the minimal amount of fasting.  Actually the Messenger (PBUH) and Muslim scholars following his footsteps have explained that fasting is not the day time worship only but all day and night commitment to please The Lord with what He likes.  Fasting is preventing oneself from engaging in any behavior that displeases God.  Simply it’s a “Boot camp for Good Behavior” to please Allah day and night for thirty days.

Abu Hurairah (RAA) reported, The Prophet (PBUH) said, If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.” (Sunnah.com)

Who should fast Ramadan?  


Every, adult, sane and capable Muslim is obligated to perform fasting.

Who may not perform fasting of Ramadan?


* Non-Muslims


* Every Muslim that has a valid excuse, for example  children , insane people, women in menstruation or postpartum period, during pregnancy or lactation; if she fears harm to herself or her baby, during traveling, during illness, and elderly people who cannot observe fasting.  


All those Muslims are excused from fasting. But those who break fast for traveling,  for a temporary illness, or women during menstruation or postpartum period, pregnancy or lactation ,have to make up the days of breaking fast after wards, whenever the excuse is alleviated.  If their excuse is not expected to be alleviated, as in case of fatal illness or old age people, they should make compensation by feeding a poor person for each day they did not fast.


When was the fast of Ramadan decreed?


Fasting was decreed in the second year of Higra (the second year after the Messenger’s migration to Medina) by the revelation of this verse,  O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous “ (quran.com/2/183).   The Messenger PBUH fasted nine consecutive years (months of Ramadan) before his death.

What is the purpose of fasting in general and Ramadan in particular?


Fasting is an ordination so, Muslims obey and say, … And they say, ‘We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.” (quran.com/2/285).   


Fasting in general and fasting of Ramadan in particular is to gain Taqwa which is “The most important Gain“.   Allah says in Quran, “… that you may become righteous” (quran.com/2/183).  Taqwa is obtaining piety and righteousness, which is the goal of fasting and all worship acts, as it’s our hearts that Allah observes not our exteriors.  Our submission, obedience and steadfastness on the way of righteousness are the means to purify our souls from every sin and disobedience.


Fasting of Ramadan makes one appreciate the blessings one has as he abstains not only from prohibitions but also from some permissible things like food, drink and Halal relations with spouse.


Fasting teaches patience and endurance.  One perseveres in his subjugation to His Lord as no one but Him is Observant of one’s sincerity and Capable of rewarding for this act of worship.


Fasting is a crash course in self-control.  One truly experiences his own strength in fighting and controlling desires, temptations and Satan’s whispers.


Fasting of Ramadan is a means to be in Allah’s remembrance in secret and in public all the time.  


Fasting helps Muslim to feel the pain of the poor and subsequently have it in his heart to be merciful, compassionate and giving (kind and charitable).


Is it only days of Ramadan that are special or Ramadan nights as well?


Nights of Ramadan are as special as its days, as Muslims are recommended to exert their utmost efforts  to please their Lord with all sorts and kinds of worship acts and with prayers in particular.  Rewards for all acts of worship and good deeds are multiplied.  Muhammad PBUH set an example by praying extra prayers and striving even more during the last ten days and nights hoping to gain the rewards of “The night of The Decree” during which the revelation of Quran commenced.

Why is Ramadan so special?  


That’s huge!  Ramadan is very special in Islam and for Muslims for a lot of reasons:

Quran revelation started on one of the nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.  It was during the year 610 A.D.


“The night of The Decree” or “The night of Rower” which is a blessed night when God emancipates Muslims from entering Hellfire, gives blessing and alters decrees if He Wills.


Fasting of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.


All good deeds rewards are multiplied, as well as sins for all bad deeds.


For fasting Ramadan sincerely, out of faith and in the hope of reward, a Muslim will be forgiven all his previous sins, provided the major sins are not committed.


There are several Hadithes that give glad tidings to Muslims of forgiveness, emancipation from Hell fire and great rewards for those who do well and are sincere.  


Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.” (Sunnah.com)

To conclude,

Fasting of Ramadan is an obligation on every adult, sane and capable Muslim.  It’s one of the five pillars of Islam. It is abstinence from food, drink and sexual activity with one’s spouse during the day.  Fasting is not a day worship as taught by Muhammad (PBUH), it’s a full day and night sincere observance of God; abstaining from all bad deeds and sins day and night as well as the day fast.  Even non-Muslims try the “Challenge of Fasting” for the health benefits discovered recently.

So, what about you?  Would you like to give it a try?