Ramadan is one of the holiest months in Islam, marking the time when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It is a month of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and increased devotion. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it an essential practice for Muslims worldwide.

Ramadan Mubarak from Gaza Great Minds Foundation.

𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝘿𝙤 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙨 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝘿𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙣?

Muslims fast because Allah has commanded it in the Quran:
“O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (righteousness).”
(Quran 2:183)

By fasting, controlling desires, and increasing good deeds, Muslims develop self-discipline, patience, and a closer connection to Allah, strengthening their Taqwa. Taqwa is an Arabic term that means God-consciousness, piety, and mindfulness of Allah. It comes from the root word “waqā”, which means to protect or shield.

In an Islamic sense, Taqwa refers to:
● Being aware of Allah in all actions, thoughts, and intentions.
● Avoiding sin and striving to do good.
● Maintaining a strong connection with Allah through obedience, prayer, and righteous deeds.

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝘿𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙡𝙛-𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚?

Fasting helps in:
● Strengthening connection with Allah through increased prayers and Quran recitation.
● Building patience and gratitude by experiencing hunger and thirst.
● Developing self-control by resisting temptations, sins and harmful habits.
● Gaining empathy for the less fortunate & oppressed.
● Purifying the soul through increased worship and encouraging acts of kindness and generosity as good deeds are multiplied in Ramadan.

𝙍𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 & 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩?

Rules of Fasting:
● No eating, drinking, smoking, or marital relations from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib).
● Avoid lying, backbiting, cursing, and sinful acts.
● Make the intention (niyyah) to fast daily.

Who is Exempt?
● Children (before puberty).
● Elderly or chronically ill who cannot fast.
● Pregnant, nursing, or menstruating women.
● Travelers (but they must make up the fast later).
● Those temporarily ill, with an option to fast later or give to charity (fidya).

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙎𝙪𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙛𝙩𝙖𝙧? 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩?

Suhoor: The pre-dawn meal before fasting begins. It provides energy for the day and is highly encouraged. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Eat Suhoor, for in it there is blessing”
(Bukhari, Muslim)

Iftar: The meal at sunset to break the fast. It is a time of gratitude and dua. The Prophet recommended breaking the fast with dates and water. Breaking your fast is one of the (ﷺ) most desired times to supplicate (dua)

Both Suhoor and Iftar are important as they help maintain physical strength and reinforce the spiritual aspect of fasting through gratitude, patience, and reflection.

𝘼 𝙏𝙮𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙣

1. Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal) – Before Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
   ● Wake up early for Suhoor, a light but nourishing meal.
   ● Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
   ● Make intention (niyyah) for fasting.
   ● Pray Fajr and engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) or Quran recitation.
   
2. Morning & Afternoon – Work, Study, and Worship
   ● Continue daily responsibilities such as work, school, or house duties.
   ● Stay mindful of fasting by avoiding arguments, gossip, and negative behaviour.
   ● Take time for Quran recitation, dhikr, and extra prayers.
   
3. Dhuhr & Asr (Midday & Afternoon Prayers)
   ● Perform Dhuhr and Asr on time.
   ● If possible, take a short nap (Qaylulah) to maintain energy.
   ● Engage in charity, kindness, and good deeds.
   
4. Iftar (Breaking Fast) – Sunset (Maghrib Prayer)
   ● Break the fast at Maghrib with dates and water, following the Sunnah.
   ● Pray Maghrib and eat a healthy meal in moderation.
   
5. Evening – Isha & Taraweeh Prayers
   ● Perform Isha prayer followed by Taraweeh (special night prayers) at the mosque or
   home.
   ● Spend time in Quran recitation, dhikr, and making dua.
   
6. Late Night – Preparing for Laylat al-Qadr (Last 10 Nights)
   ● Engage in Qiyam-ul-Layl (night prayers), especially in the last ten nights.
   ● Seek Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power/Decree, by making sincere dua.
   ● Sleep early to wake up for Suhoor and start the cycle again.

This daily routine helps Muslims balance spirituality, self-discipline, and daily life while making the most of Ramadan’s blessings.

𝙆𝙚𝙮 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙣

1. Ramadan – The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide
   as a month of fasting, prayer, and Quran recitation.
   
2. Sawm (Fasting) – Abstaining from food, drink, and sinful behavior from dawn to sunset as an act of worship and obedience to Allah.
   
3. Suhoor – The pre-dawn meal eaten before Fajr prayer, recommended for maintaining energy throughout the fasting hours.
   
4. Iftar – The meal to break the fast at Maghrib (sunset), traditionally started with dates and water, followed by a full meal.
   
5. Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) – A blessed night in the last ten days of Ramadan, believed to be when the Quran was first revealed. Worship on this night is better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3).
   
6. Taraweeh – Special voluntary night prayers performed after Isha prayer during Ramadan, usually in congregation at the mosque.
   
7. Qiyam-ul-Layl – Late-night prayers performed in the last part of the night, highly encouraged, especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
   
8. Fidya – A compensation payment made by those who cannot fast due to chronic illness or old age. It involves feeding a poor person for each missed fast.
   
9. Kaffarah – A penalty for breaking a fast deliberately without a valid reason, requiring either fasting for 60 days consecutively or feeding 60 poor people.
   
10. Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) – A mandatory charity given before Eid al-Fitr to purify one’s fast and help the needy celebrate Eid.
    
11. Eid al-Fitr – The festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with a special prayer, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and festive meals with family and friends.