Ramadan and fasting

The month of Ramadan is coming up which means to all practicing muslims fasting. I want to explain all about this. Ramadan is the nineth month of the Islamic calendar which follows the lunar cycle. Ramadan is very important in the Islamic religion because it is when the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was first revealed verses of the Quran, as well this is the first realization that he was chosen as a prophet to Allah. Before his prophethood, Muhammad, peace be upon him, would often go to Ghar (cave)Heira'a to meditate and praise Allah. It was during one of these stays in the cave that angel Jibrael (as) (Gabriel) appeared before the Prophet, peace be upon him. He grabbed the prophet, pbuh, and said 'read/proclaim.' The prophet (pbuh), being illiterate said 'I can't.' This happened two more times until on the third time Jibrael revealed Sura al-Alaq:
"Proclaim! (Read)In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood) Proclaim!(Read) And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen [the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch) Has taught man that which he knew not Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.)Because he considers himself self-sufficient Surely! Unto your Lord is the return Have you (O Muhammad) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents, A slave (Muhammad) when he prays? Tell me, if he (Muhammad) is on the guidance (of Allah)? Or enjoins piety? Tell me if he (the disbeliever, Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Quran), and turns away? Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)? If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock, A lying, sinful forelock! Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers), We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)! Nay! (O Muhammad) Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah! Quran 96: 1-19

Upon experiencing this, Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, ran home to his wife Khadejah (ra) who assured him he wasn't going crazy. She took him to her uncle who was very religious. He also assured Muhammad, pbuh, that he wasn't going crazy, but that he had been chosen as a prophet of God.

One of the 5 pillars of Islam which I have mentioned before, is sawm, or fasting. Muslims not only fast during the month of Ramadan. It's encouraged to fast every Monday and Thursday following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, pbuh. It is obligatory, however, for muslims to fast during Ramadan. Allah said in the Quran "Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance and clarification to humankind, and a distinction between right and wrong. So, whoever from among you witnesses the month should fast it." Sura Al-Baqara 2: 185 He also says "O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)" Sura Al-Baqara 2:183 Here are some reasons and benefits of fasting:

-Fasting makes us appreciate and give thanks for pleasures. Fasting means giving up eating, drinking and intercourse, which are among the greatest pleasures. Like the saying goes, 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone.' After refraining from Allah's blessings of food, drink, and intercourse, you become aware of them, so this motivates you to be grateful for them.

-Fasting is a means of giving up haram (forbiden/bad) things, because if a person can give up halal (accepted/good) things in order to please Allah and for fear of His punishment, then he will be more likely to refrain from the bad things. So fasting is a means of avoiding the things that Allah has forbidden. (i.e. smoking, drinking, swearing, lying, cheating, etc.)

-Fasting enables us to control our desires, because when a person is full his desires grow, but if he is hungry then his desire becomes weak. The Prophet (pbuh) said: 'O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting one's chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.'

-Fasting makes us feel compassion and empathy towards the poor, because when we taste the pain of hunger for a while, we remember those who are in this situation all the time. Then we are motivated to do acts of kindness to them and show compassion towards them.

-Fasting humiliates and weakens the Shaytan; it weakens the effects of his whispers on a person and reduces that person's sins. That is because the Shaytan 'flows through the son of Adam like blood' as the Prophet (pbuh) said, but fasting narrows the passages through which the Shaytan flows, so his influence grows less.

-Fasting increases the knowledge that Allah is always watching. We give up the things that we desire even though we're able to take them, because we know Allah is a constant witness to all our actions.

-Fasting means developing an attitude of asceticism towards this world and its desires, and seeking that which is with Allah.

-It makes the Muslim get used to doing a great deal of acts of worship, because the fasting person usually does more acts of worship and gets used to that.

When fasting we do not eat or drink during daylight hours from dawn until dusk. We also refrain from sexual activities, and from all forms of lying such as gossiping. Those exempt from fasting are people who are very sick, pregnant or nursing (this is up to each individual woman though, and I know several women who have fasted while pregnant and while nursing), insane, old, traveling, or in war. Women who are menstrating are forbiden to fast. Those who need to make up the days they missed fasting are those who were sick, pregnant, nursing, traveling, or in war. Those unable to fast at all because of old age or a prolonged illness or disease are called to feed the poor for each day missed.

In order for your fast to be accepted, you must have true intentions in your heart before you begin. The Prophet (pbuh) said, 'Whoever does not intend to fast before Fajr will have no fast.'

Fasting begins with a light meal known as suhur, which is eaten just before the break of dawn. The Prophet (pbuh) encouraged his followers to take this meal, even if it is only a drink of water. 'Take suhur for surely there is barakah (blessing) in it.' When the athan of Fajr is sounded, this signals the beginning of the fast and one should not begin to eat anything at this point. If one has in his hand food or drink when the athan is called, he should finish eating what he wants from it before putting it down. The Prophet (pbuh) said, 'If one of you hears the athan and a vessel remains in his hand, he should not put it down until he has had what he desires from it.'

Breaking the fast is done right away at the time of Maghrib (setting of the sun.) The Prophet (pbuh) said, 'People will remain happy and prosperous as long as they hasten to break the fast.' It's recommended that the fast be broken with dates and water if available. Iftar, (breaking fast) has become a big meal served after the maghrib prayer. Lots of muslims join together in masjed to eat, or families will gather to share food and reflect the blessings Allah has provided them.

After the month of Ramadan, is a celebration called Eid al-Fitr which takes place on the first day of the following month. A quantity of staple food (usually rice, beans, or meat) is donated to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr), everyone has put on their best, preferably new clothes, and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by big meals and visiting relatives and friends. (Think Christmas with the entire neighborhood in attendance.)

There is TONS more information about Ramadan. I just tried to give a quick overview. Click here to read more about it and fasting. Please visit this link to get more details on Eid al-Fitr which is celebrated after Ramadan.