How to Observe Fasting During Ramadan

Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan is an essential Ritual in Islam. Fasting during Ramadan is meant to inculcate the virtues of self disciple, restraint and keep the soul and mind pure that will help them to seek Allah’s blessings. It is also believed that on Ramadan the prayer of the fasting person is granted by Allah.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   The primary principle behind fasting is to instruct Muslims the virtues of self discipline, self restraint and kindness. It draws a parallel to the suffering and anguish of hunger that millions of poor endure everyday. This is a practice through which the rich people have the first hand experience of what it feels like to be a poor and the misery that the destitute goes through in his normal living conditions. This imparts the significance of mercy or Rahmah, which is extremely important in terms of keeping the social harmony. It is in Mohammad's teaching which promulgate, that Allah shows mercy only to those who themselves are merciful to others.

2. 

   There are two fundamental elements of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. To abide by these two elements make the fasting achieve endless bliss and purification of the spirit.
   
   The first element of fasting or Siyam, an Arabic word, which means, "to abstain from something" is certainly abstinence from the sunrise to sunset. This means to abstain from food, drink or beverages and sexual intimacy. Any substance taken by mouth or nose, or any kind of drink, like water, juices or milk is strictly prohibited. According to the Quran the period of fasting must began at dawn when the light is just enough so the white thread at dawn appears different from the black thread.

3. 

   Niyyah an Arabic word meaning, Intention is the second element of fasting. It bears immense significance to Islamic belief. It makes all the difference between a religious act and a nonreligious act. For example, fasting for dietary reasons, weight control, political reasons, or on medical advice are not appropriate Islamic fasting to seek religious blessings as they don't have the Niyyah or intention to worship Allah according to the tenets of Mohammad.

4. 

   The virtues achieved through fasting during the sacred month of Ramadan are immense and manifold.
   
   Only those who will fast with a pure soul and mind will be allowed to enter the gate of Paradise, called ar-Rayyaan, on resurrection day.
   
   Fasting on the auspicious month of Ramadan will also protect the believer from the fierce fire of hell.
   
   Those who fast on Ramadan will be accepted by Allah on Judgment Day, as they abstained from food and desire to worship the Lord.
   
   Fasting on Ramadan also means that all his past sins are to be forgiven by Allah.
   
   On Ramadan the prayer of the fasting person is granted by the almighty.

5. 

   The believer who fasts on Ramadan will be among the true followers of the Prophet Mohammad and the martyrs.
   
   Fasting also acts as a defense from ones instinctual desires. Understanding the true purpose of fasting is the prerequisite for all those intend to fast on the holy month of Ramadan. Since fasting is actually worshiping, it must be practiced solely to seek Allah's blessings and remaining true to the teachings of Prophet Mohammad. It is an observance, where friends, family even colleagues take part together and thank each other for their mutual support which helped them to endure through this rigorous but self improving tradition.

Resources

• Fasting During Ramadan
• Online Ramadan Cards
• Ramadan Wishes

[outyonder]

on 8/22/2009 Very interesting article. Well worded! I am recommending you.

[gibbiz]

on 8/22/2009 Hopefully.. This year all we can do better than last year..
Good sharing..5*