the Message Continues ... 1 /16
Article 1
RAMADAN
courtesy: Professor Charles J. Adams, "Ramadan,"
World Book Online
Americas Edition,
October 30, 2002.
Ramadan Âram uh
DHANÂ, is an Islamic holy month when Muslims may not eat or drink from
morning until night. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year. Because the
Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan falls at different times of the year. Muslims
celebrate Ramadan as the month during which the prophet Muhammad received the
first of the revelations that make up the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam.
Fasting during Ramadan is the fourth of the five Pillars of Faith, the chief
religious duties of a Muslim. All Muslims must fast if they have reached puberty
and are of sound mind. Exceptions are made for some groups, such as the sick,
the elderly, pregnant women, and travelers. Those who are able, however, must
make up the missed fast days at a later time. A Muslim who deliberately breaks
the fast must atone by fasting for two continuous months or feeding the poor.
See Islam (The Five Pillars of Islam).
Fasting begins at dawn and lasts until sunset. During this time, Muslims cannot
take food or drink, inhale tobacco smoke, or engage in sexual activity. The
daily fast is broken by a light meal called the iftar, followed by the evening
prayer. The preferred food for the iftar is dates and water.
Ramadan is also a time for other religious activities. The nights are often
devoted to special prayers and to recitations from the Qur'an. During the last
10 days, some Muslims seclude themselves in a mosque to give full time to
religious contemplation. The end of Ramadan is celebrated by a great festival
called `Id al-Fitr.
See also Id al-Fitr; Islam (Holidays and celebrations); Qur'an.
______________
Contributor:
• Charles J. Adams, Ph.D., Former Professor of Islamic Studies, McGill
University.
The fast has an inner and outer dimension.
Fasting from food, drink, smoking, medicines and sex from dawn to sunset is only
a kind of preparation for the more inward fasting from wrong/unnecessary
thoughts, emotions, attitudes, unawareness, daydreaming and the like.
And it is not the missing a meal during the day that gives the fast its value.
It is the combined effect of a long period of sincere inner and outer fasting
which may create an inner space for the faster to receive God's grace. That's why tradition has it that the
Laylatul
Qader or Night of Power (a time when God's grace might reform the
faster's character or inspire the faster) occurs during the last ten
days of the fast and not before.
Of course if one treats the month like the Christmas or New Year season
with overeating, eating all sorts of special foods etc that is not really the
fast taught to us by Muhammad (s).
.
There is a hadith which refers to this division of the fast, although in terms
of three periods and not two as I have done for convenience.
"The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the first
third of Ramadan is mercy, the second third forgiveness, and the third
protection from the fires of Hell."
It's a mercy because God has provided a way for us to receive His grace. It is
forgiveness because the effect of sincerely fasting for twenty days is that we
are prepared/in a state of readiness to receive His grace. It is protection
because during that time if God judges our fast worthy He will reform our
character.
Another tradition is that after the fast, at the Idul Fitri, Muslims
dress in new clothes to symbolize that they/we received God's
Blessing, like a change in character, during the last ten days
of the fast, in particular during the Laylatul Qader.
Try this; near the end of the fast, identify a poor child and buy her/him a new
(inexpensive) outfit to wear. Remember the symbolism of this action when you
purchase and give the outfit and you will have entered into the spirit of the
Ramadan.
Note: The author is unknown
RAMADAN
- THE
MONTH
OF ALLAH
by Sister Amber Shah, 15, New Jersey
BRIINNGG!!!
The sharp ring of the alarm clock
startled me from my sleep.
Rubbing my eyes, I looked at the clock.
It was only 4.15 in the morning. Why was I up this early? I wondered ! Then I
suddenly recalled, it was the First of Ramadan today.
Ramadan is not only the ninth month on the Islamic Calendar, but it is also the
most important month for the Muslim world. Ramadan is known as Shahr' Allah, the
Month of Allah. This Holy month is filled with prayers and meditation and
charity, besides fasting. It is the lunar month in which Allah swt commands all
Muslims to fast, from dawn till sunset. In the Qur'an,
Allah swt says:
"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you
as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may
guard (against evil). Quran 2:183
Now what is fast ? It is to abstain from food and drink or any wrongful or
lascivious act. Fast is also known as " Sawm ", or " Roza ". Muslims
observe fast to practice self-discipline, remembrance of God, charity and
compassion.
Fast is ordained for the rich as well as the poor. Through fasting, the rich are
made to learn about an empty stomach and the taste of hunger. Fast is therefore
Allah's way of reminding the rich that they must observe charity and learn to
share with the poor and the less gifted and give away out of what Allah has
given them by way of wealth.
Fasting or Saum is one of the five basic practices of Islam, also called the
Five " Branches of Islam ", or the Five Elements of Faith . In the
month of Ramadan, fasting is obligatory or ' wajib ' to every sane and healthy
Muslim.
To the females, it becomes wajib at the age of nine, and to the males, at
fourteen. The sick and those tarvelling can defer fasting toi a later date. but
they must make up for the days they missed fasting. as the Quran says:
"Fasting for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is
ill or on a journey, the same number should be made up from other days. And
as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have (a choice either to fast)
to feed a poor person (for every missed day). But whoever does good
of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is
better for you if only you know."
Quran: 2-184
In this Sacred month, Muslims all over the world wake up an hour before Fajr
prayers for what is called "Sehri", or "Sahoor". Sehri
is an early breakfast, eaten before Fajr, so that one may be prepared to fast
for the day.The Prophet had said, "Take the sahoor meal, for there is a
blessing in it." After eating sehri, one must make a Niyaat (
intention) for the fast,
saying:
"Oh Allah, I observe this fast for the month of Ramadan, wajib qurbatan-il-
Allah."
Then throughout the entire day, until the sun sets, one must avoid to eat or
drink and refrain from all harmful deeds, all sins or vices. This includes
aimless or lascivious talking, gossiping or back-biting or indulging in games of
chance. If a person fasts for the entire day but does not stay away
from backbiting, cursing, gambling, etc., his/her fast will be broken. The
Prophet(s) had said, "If a person does not avoid false talk and false
conduct during their fast, then Allah swt does not care whether he abstains from
food and drink or not." It is highly recommended to read Qur'an
during Ramadan.
It is reported that reading one Ayat of the Qur'an in the month of Ramadan gives
the thawaab (reward) equal to reading the whole Qur'an.
When the sun sets, one can end the fast with a date or salt. It is better to
perform Maghrib prayers, then eat the dinner. The Prophet (s) said, " Break
your fast with dates, else with water, for it is pure."
During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims gather at the Mosque ( Masjid) or the
Islamic Centersfor the congregational (Jammat) prayers and to end their fast.
The Holy month of Ramadan also has many important dates on the calendar. The
night of Laylatul Qadr ( The Night of Decree ) at the end of this important
month is known to be the night in the month of Ramadan when the Quran descended
on the heart of the Prophet(s) through the Arch-Angel Gabriel. The Prophet (s)
is reported to have said: " (O Believers) Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd
numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan." and the
Quran says:
" Verily! We have sent it (the Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr. And
what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of
Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the Angels
and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah's Permission with all decrees, Peace! Until the
appearance of dawn. Quran: 97:1-5
To conclude, the Month of Ramadan brings the Muslim communities together in a
spirit of humility, charity and compassion and love. This contributes toward
cleansing of souls and helps to prepare us for the hearafter ( Aakhira ).
Article 1 - Article 2 - Article 3 - Article 4 - Article 5 - Article 6 - Article 7 - Article 8
Article 9 - Article 10 - Article 11 - Article 12 - Article 13 - Article 14 - Article 15
Listen Online Suratul Yaseen
DISCLAIMER:
All material published by Al-Huda.com / And the Message Continues is the sole responsibility of its author's).
The opinions and/or assertions contained therein do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this site,
nor of Al-Huda and its officers.
Website Designed and Maintained by Khatoons Inc. info@khatoons.com