FAQ About Ramadhan

1. What is Fasting?

The third act of worship in Islam is fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadhan by all able, adult Muslims. The Quran says: “FASTING IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain to righteousness” (2:184). The revelation of the Quran began in that month (2:186). A person who is observing the fast is required, throughout the month, to abstain from food and drink and from sexual intercourse between the first flush of dawn to sunset. During this period a Muslim also abstains from any vulgar speech or act. The fast is obligatory upon every adult, with certain exemptions

2. Is Islam the only religion that requires fasting?

Fasting in some form or another has been practiced by almost all religions.

3. How long are Muslims required to fast?

Muslims, who are not exempted (See below Q7), are required to fast for 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadhan; the exact number of the days depends on the appearance of the moon. Fasting time period starts with the sighting of the new moon of Ramadhan and ends with the appearance of the new moon of Shawwal.

The fasting begins before daybreak and continues till sunset.

4. Why do we fast at different time every year?

The month of fasting, being a lunar month, comes eleven days earlier every year, thus rotating through the year, so that in every part of the world it falls in all seasons in turn.

5. What is the purpose of fasting?

The objective of fasting is to attain righteousness. Through the experience of the fast, the worshipper is led to exalt Allah for His having provided the guidance relating to the fast and to the beneficent use of His favors and bounties (2:186) Some of the benefits of fasting are a. A Muslim obeys the command of God which is a justification for fasting in itself b. Fasting is a small sacrifice of one's physical needs and makes one feel better both physically and spiritually c. Experience shows that other worships like dua and Salat are more enjoyable and spiritually more beneficial, when one is fasting d. It is during a fast that we find out how the hungry and poor people in this world really feel e. Even on purely medical grounds, fasting is an excellent activity and a good training for the body systems

6. How do we know when to close or break the fast?

In Muslim countries the call for Fajr Prayer (Adhan) and Maghrib prayer can tell us the time. While in western societies where Adhan is not available dawn and sunset timetables can be used to accurately calculate times. Jama’at publishes such Ramadhan timetables every year based on the astronomical data. These days internet and other means can also be used to find the times in your region.

7. Who are exempted from fasting?

Following people are exempted from fasting a. A sick person. b. One who is travelling c. Pregnant women or women nursing babies d. An old person, one who finds the severity of the fast hard to bear on account of age or other infirmity, is exempt. e. Women who are having menstrual cycles All people who are exempted from fasting during Ramadhan are required to make up for the missed fasts.

8. How can we make up for the missed/exempted fasts?

When the reason for the exemption is only temporary, as for instance illness from which the sufferer recovers, the number of days of the fast which are missed should be made up at any time during the succeeding eleven months. Should the cause of the exemption continue over a lengthy period of time or become permanent, as in the case of old age or a chronic infirmity, the exemption is absolute; but the person concerned, if he can afford it, should arrange to provide food for a poorer person throughout the month of Ramadhan (2:185).

9. How is a fast observed physically?

The period of the daily fast extends from the first flush of dawn normally about an hour and a quarter before sunrise, till sunset. During this period neither food nor drink or nourishment may pass through the lips of a person who is observing the fast. Nor should any drug or other substance be swallowed or injected into the system. The fast may, however, be discontinued in case of emergency and would be terminated if the person observing the fast becomes sick. Nor should there be any consorting between husband and wife or any approach to it. The fast must not be continued beyond sunset, the Holy Prophet said even if nothing is immediately available for terminating the fast save a few drops of water, a pinch of salt or sugar, a bit of stale bread or a dried date, etc. (Bukahri and Muslim)

10. Is your fast broken if you eat or drink in forgetfulness?

If during the fast, food or drink should be swallowed in complete forgetfulness of the fast that would not vitiate the fast and the fast should be completed till nightfall. Should, however, something be swallowed through carelessness, even involuntarily, the fast is vitiated and cannot be continued.

11. How is fast observed spiritually?

During fasting we are required to abstain from all forms of aggressive and vulgar behavior (verbal, physical). Fasting teaches us patience and humility. If we get into situations where others provoke us to fight or quarrel, we should withdraw from such situations while fasting. One Hadith relates that fasting is like a shield. If someone tries to quarrel with one who is fasting, his response should be simply; ‘I am fasting’. Hence fasting is not only physical it requires us to control our emotions and thoughts.

12. What voids a fast and if there are any infringements for the fast?

Excessive blood loss, eating, drinking, taking anything by mouth can break the fast. In case of vomiting if it causes weakness fast can be broken. Injections and other injectable substances are an infringement of the fast and are not allowed. We can drench our heads with water, use creams and ointments and also brush our teeth as long as we don’t swallow water.

13. What time should one break the fast? With what we should break the fast?

We are required to break the fast at sunset and it should not be delayed. It is related that Holy Prophet (saw) said, “ My people will adhere to good as long as they don’t delay the breaking of fast” (Bukahri and Muslim). In another Hadith, Holy Prophet guided us by saying, “Allah The Lord of Honor and glory proclaimed of my people; I love the most those who are foremost in breaking their fast” (Tarmidhi). As Holy Prophet (saw) said we should break the fast either with a date or little water, as it is not only the Holy Prophet’s (saw) practice but also dates are rich in glucose and provide instant energy for the body. We should avoid heavy meals and too much eating or drinking as this makes the fast more difficult to keep and it can cause serious problems to one’s health.

14. What time should we start the fast? What is sehri?

As mentioned above the fast starts at daybreak or the first flush of dawn. The general practice is to have a pre dawn meal or Sehri. Sehri is a light meal before fasting, it not only provides nourishment to the body for the entire day, it also prepares one’s mind for the fast ahead. It is related that Holy Prophet said that if you are in the process of eating the final portions of the sehri meal and the call for prayer Adhan is called, one should finish your meal.

15. What is Taraweeh Prayer? How is it performed?

Taraweeh is voluntary Nafl prayer in Ramadhan. It consists of eight Raka'ats. It can be offered in congregation in the mosque after the Isha Prayers, however the practice of Holy Prophet was to offer this prayer later at night as Tahujjud prayer. The practice of offering this prayer in congregation with the Isha Prayers behind an Imam who recites Holy Quran in each Rakat, was started by the second Khalifah in Islam, Hazrat Omer, (ra) in order to help the working classes (those who could not wake up for Tahujjud every night) and those who could not memorize Holy Quran. This form of Taraweeh is widely practice these days, however the preference is given to Tahujjud Nafl said individually in the later part of the night, else one can perform both i.e Taraweh in congregation as well as individually (as Tahujjud) to make the most of Ramadhan prayers.

The general practice of offering Taraweeh in congregation is that the Imam who is also Hafiz Quran (one who has memorized Holy Quran by heart) recites portions of Quran in each Rakat so that over the 29-30 days the entire Holy Quran is recited and completed in the Taraweeh prayer. The practice is widely popular and is significant as it allows those who do not know Quran to listen and complete Holy Quran (behind an Imam) in the month of Ramadhan. If the Imam is not a Hafiz, he can recite portions of Quran he knows, hence it is not a compulsion to recite Quran from beginning to end (completing it in its entirety) in the Taraweeh Congregational prayer, the idea is to read and recite as much Quran as possible in a given situation.

16. What is Itikaf?

Itikaf is spending the last ten days of Ramadhan in complete isolation. Distancing one’s self from worldly affairs and devoting this time entirely in prayer and remembrance of Allah. One who can afford to spend the last ten days and nights of the month of Ramadhan in the mosque is called Mu'takif. To remain in the mosque for this period for worship and remembrance of 'Allah is called Itikaf.

17. Can Women perform Itikaf at home?

Yes women are permitted to perform Itikaf at home, however wherever the option of a mosque is available it should be used as it allows prayer in congregation to the Mu’takif.

18. Aside from Fasting what are the other things Muslims are required to do in Ramadhan?

Ramadhan is a month of blessings and Allah’s mercy for the whole of mankind. Aside from fasting Muslims are required to

a. Spend most of their time in remembrance of Allah and Isthighfar (seeking Allah’s forgiveness) b. Recite Holy Quran as much as they can as this is the month in which Holy Quran was revealed. It is recommended that all Muslims should try to complete reading the Holy Quran at least one time during this month. c. Make more effort for performing prayers in congregation, d. Give charity in exceptional amounts and spend in the way of Allah e. Make efforts for Tahujjud (Nafl at night) Namaz f. Remain humble and abstain from violent, aggressive and vulgar behavior

19. Can one fast other than the month of Ramadhan?

Aside from the obligatory fasts of the month of Ramadhan, a person may keep voluntary fasts at any time he wishes as long as these fasts do not interfere with his normal duties. Based on Holy Prophet s practice some fasts are widely observed (See below)

20. What was the practice of the Holy Prophet (saw) in respect of voluntary fasts?

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to observe voluntary fast as follows: a. Six in the beginning of the month of Shawwal (the lunar month after Ramadhan). b. Three in the middle of every lunar month. c. On the ninth of Zul-Hajj. d. On the ninth or/and tenth of Muharram.

21. What is Laylatul Qadr?

Laylatul Qadar is a night of great blessings in which Allah (swt) showers His Mercy upon those of His believers who sincerely and faithfully love and obey His Will. It is a night which is commonly associated with the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. Laylatul Qadr literally means the ‘Night of Decree/Power’. It is a night, which is of greater value than a thousand months (1000 being the highest numerical figure in Arabic) and in which the angels descend upon the Earth and help to breath a new life into mankind. In a reported hadith the Holy Prophet said: ‘’Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not showing off) then all his past sins will be forgiven.’’(al-Bukhari, Vol.1, Bk.2, No. 34)

22. Which night is Laylatul Qadr observed?

Religious historians agree that the Holy Prophet did not mention the exact night (date) of Ramadhan for Laylatul Qadr. Hadith and Quran indicate that it is one of the last ten days’ nights in the month of Ramadhan. In one of the Ahadith the Holy Prophet advises as to when one should seek Laylatul Qadr saying: ‘’Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan’’(Al- Bukhari, Vol.3, Bk.32, No. 234) The Promised Messiah (as) is known to have said that should the 27th night of Ramadan fall upon a Friday then through Allah’s (swt) Grace this will often be Laylatul Qadr. one reason behind the ambiguity of which night Lailatul Qadr falls upon is to ensure that believers spend all of the last ten nights in Ibaada and do not simply ritualize one appointed night.

23. Are Children allowed to fast? At What age should one start fasting?

Young children should not keep fast. It appears from the practice of the Promised Messiah that fasts should not be encouraged among children who have not reached their teens. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II, the son of the Promised Messiah, recalls that the very first fast he kept was at the age of 12 or 13 years. At that time, he kept only one fast for the whole month. By the age of 18 or 19 years, a Muslim boy or girl may be encouraged to fast for a whole month. Before that age they should gradually increase the number of fasts based on physical growth of the child.

24. What is the healthy way of observing fast? It is customary and is considered desirable that a light breakfast should be taken immediately before the commencement of the fast. The breaking of the fast after sunset should not be made an occasion for gorging oneself with food and drink. This would be in contravention of the fast and would be a departure from the example of the Holy Prophet (saw), which must be adhered to. It could also prove harmful to health.

25. Why do we celebrate Eid after Ramadhan? What are the pre-requisites for Eid?

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month of fasting. On this day, Muslims rejoice for having been given the strength to fulfill their obligation of fasting. On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, one should pay Fitrana before the Eid Prayer. Fitrana is spent on the poor and needy so that they, too, can join in the festivities of Eid. Every member of the household is required to contribute towards the Fitrana at the rate fixed for that year. Fitrana is due in respect of children also, even of newborn babies, whose parents are expected to make the necessary payments. One should have a full breakfast before proceeding to the Eidgah, the place where Eid Prayer is offered. The time for Eid Prayer is before noon. Like Friday Prayer, Eid Prayer is always offered in congregation. No Athan or Iqama is called for Eid Prayers.

Sources: • Islam its meaning for the Modern Man (Mohammad ZafarUllah Khan) available at http://www.alislam.org/library/books/ISLAM-ItsMeaningForModernMan.pdf • Islam My Religion available at http://www.alislam.org/books/my-relig/part3.html • Pathway to Paradise (Chapter 1 Islamic Beliefs and Teachings) available at http://www.alislam.org/books/pathwaytoparadise/LAJ-chp1.htm

• A book of Religious Knowledge available at http://www.alislam.org/books/religiousknowledge/sec1.html

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.alislam.org/ramadhan/index.html