Tuesday March 19, 2024
Edit Content

Ramadan is the 9th month of a Islamic calendar / Hijri calendar. The term ‘Ramadan’ is derived from the Arabic term ‘Ramad/Ramad’ which means scorching hot or drought. So the word Ramadan stands for abstinence from eating anything and drinking water from dawn to dusk. The duration of the month ranges between 29 and 30 days based on the appearance of the Shawwal Moon, which contributes to the much-anticipated Islamic festival of Eid ul Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal. Ramadan is one of the Five Foundations of Islam, and Al-Quran was first announced to the Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) during this holy month.
FASTING IS Mandatory DURING RAMADAN
Millions of Muslims around the world watch the most holy month for the whole Muslim Ummah from dawn to dusk. Fasting includes various definitions in multiple cultures around the globe. This is classified as ‘ayuno’ in Spanish, ‘Jeûne’ in French and ‘Perhiz’ in Turkish. ’ صوم/ صيام ‘Arabic and ‘Puasa’ in Indonesian and Malay. Term of ‘Sawm / Siyam’ صوم/ صيام . Means to abstain or to refrain from doing something. It implies to withdraw from food, smoking, interaction with a woman and all that violates the fast with the express intention of doing so in adherence to Allah. Whoever refuses this duty to fast during Ramadan does not remain a Muslim. The food consumed before the beginning of Fajr is classified as ‘Suhoor,’ and the food consumed after sunset (Maghrib Salah) is classified as ‘Iftar.’
Fasting was made mandatory for all adult Muslims during the month of Ramadan in the second year of Hijiri (Migration from Makkah to Madinah of Islam). As the Almighty Allah has said in the Quran:
“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:183)
Who’s EXEMPT FROM FASTING?
While fasting in Ramadan is mandatory for any competent Muslim, Allah has forgiven and excused certain people from the act of fasting if they are unable to fast during Ramadan for any valid reasons. In the case of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185). Allah also made it known that sick persons and passengers are excluded from fasting during Ramadan. However, in the light of this Aya and according to other writers, the following citizens are often excluded from fasting:
1-Physical or mental disabled.
2-Travellers.
3 – Women during menstrual period.
4-Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
5 – Elderly persons (if their welfare starts to deteriorate quickly).
6-Children that did not hit puberty.
Following are some important factors that invalidate a person’s Fast:
1-Medication administered by the nose or mouth.
2 – Deliberately, spit the mouth whole.
3-Water unintentionally falls into the mouth when it’s gargling.
4 – Ejaculate because of interaction with a woman.
5 – Swallow things that are not usually consumed, including a rock or a lump of iron.
6 – Light a cigarette.
7-Once you have eaten or drank forgetfully, you believe that the fast is weakened and that you must have to feed deliberately.
8 – Feeding after Suhoor / Subh Sadiq / Truhi (starting period of Fast before Fajr Salah) with the illusion that it is before Suhoor / Subh Sadiq.
9- To render Iftar (time of fast breaking after Maghrib Salah) before sunset with the illusion that it is after sunset.
Find more about Fasting Exceptions https://www.protoday247.com/fasting-exceptionals/
MONTH OF ALLAH’S BLESSINGS
The month of Ramadan is an occasion for the Benevolent Lord to put His servants close to Him, to receive forgiveness for their sins and to satisfy their needs. Allah has mentioned it in the Quran:
“… and men who fast and women who fast, … Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:35)
Gates of Heaven being opened
it was told by Abu Huraira (R.A.) that the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1899)
The compensation of all good works is improved by the Seventy Years, as Salmaan Farsi (R.A.) states that on the last day of Shabaan, the Messenger of God (S.A.W.) appeared to us and said:
‘O People, there comes to you a great month now, a most blessed month, in which is a night greater in value and goodness than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah Has made fasting fardh (obligatory) by day and has made Sunnah the Taraweeh Salah by night. Whosoever wants to be close to Allah by doing any good deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a fardh in any other time and whoever performs a fardh (obligation), shall be given the reward of seventy faraaidh (obligations) in any other time.’
(Ref: Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith No. 1887)
The Best OUT OF RAMADAN We should the the most of Ramadan by performing the following positive deeds.
Quran Pak Recite
Ramadan is often named the month of the Quran, meaning that one will read the Al Quran for the entire month. Tarawih Prayer is one of the ways in which Muslims conclude the recitation of the Holy Quran performed in the mosques. It is Mustahab (an action which is rewarded but whose omission is not punishable) for the Muslim to read the whole of the Qur’an during Ramadan and to try to complete it, but that is not compulsory. Some Muslims do so by performing one (1) Parah every day for the 30 Days of Ramadan.
DOWNLOAD QURAN SHARIF
https://www.protoday247.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/QURAN-SHARIF.zip
Tarawih
Tarawih are the additional prayers that certain Muslim groups offer in the night of Isha Prayers during Ramadan. Traditionally, the prayer is guided by the Hafiz (memorizer) of the Quran. He recites the Quran in small sections, in proper order, every night, and completes the recitation of the whole Quran before the end of the month of Ramadan. Any Muslim who takes part in these prayers regularly has a chance to listen to the whole Quran in a month.
Lailat ul Qadr
Lailat ul Qadr, also known as the ‘Night of Strength,’ is one of the most famous nights of the Islamic Year. The night Laylat ul Qadr is not obvious. However, according to the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), it is recommended that Muslims spend the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th nights of Ramadan worshiping and doing good works to ensure that they find Laylat ul Qadr.
Find more about Lailat ul Qadr https://www.protoday247.com/lailat-ul-qadr-the-night-of-power/
Itikaf
Itikaf implies being alone in the Masjid or at home with the primary purpose of dedicating the energy to the worship of Allah (SWT). It is Sunnat-al-Muaqidah (Sunnah that is advised to perform) to stay in Itikaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan. A individual may begin Itikaf after sunset on the twentieth day of Ramadan, and end it when he sees the moon for Eid. The Sunnah remains the same as the month of Ramadan is of 29 or 30 days.
Find more about Itikaf https://www.protoday247.com/itikaf-in-islam/
Zakat
Zakat is another cornerstone of Islam, and giving charity is much more significant in Ramadan. It is a way of purifying your wealth for the will of Allah, and it is payable on assets of more than one lunar year. The Zakat received must be issued to the needy and well-deserved.
You Should Measure the Zakat This Year
https://www.protoday247.com/zakat-calculator/