What If You Can’t Fast
A lost day can be made up by extra days of fasting. People who get sick or are traveling during Ramadan can be exempt from fasting, but would have to fast for additional days after Ramadan is over to make up for the days missed.
“A lot of time is freed up when you’re not thinking about food,” Ziad said. “When that space is clear, then there is time for a lot of meditation. When you become more aware, you become more open to see God’s mercy at play.”
Those who do not fast may choose a substitute like feeding the poor or giving money to feed others, according to Ziad. Fasting can also be modified to what a person is capable of doing.
Pregnant and nursing individuals as well as people on their periods are exempt from fasting, as well as older or weaker participants or those with mental illness.
What Are The Rules For Fasting During Ramadan
Daytime fasting during Ramadan has an ascetic quality. Muslims basically go about their normal routine, including work school and social functions. However, observers of Ramadan are expected to abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures, according to the Council on Islamic American Relations .
What is the main reason for fasting during Ramadan?
One of the greatest benefits and reasons for fasting in Ramadan is renewing solidarity and cultivating positive relationships with ones family and community. Only one who observes fasting in Ramadan can truly know the beauty and joy of breaking fast with others, celebrating the gift of life daily for thirty days with loved ones.
Reasons For Fasting In Ramadan #: Restraint And Self
The modern world and its culture are largely defined by materialism, consumption and instant gratification of desires. This results in the diminishment of human consciousness, the regression of planetary culture and the suppression of the soul.
Yet by fasting in Ramadan, a Muslim consciously curtails this unhealthy norm by intentionally practicing restraint and self-discipline, separating him or herself from the animal kingdom which is governed by the unconscious drive to satiate ones immediate physical needs and desires.
Fasting in Ramadan is thus an essential practice for attaining true freedom and independence from dunya, the external world of form and appearances, and for the liberation of the soul from the self, the mind-body that is unconsciously driven by fear and the struggle survival.
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Treatments And Procedures That Invalidate Or Do Not Invalidate Fasting
Both Muslim and nonMuslim PCPs may encounter fasting Muslim patients who refuse, or do not adhere, to take a specific prescribed medication or have a specific procedure during Ramadan, thinking that it would invalidate their fast. For example, a cross-sectional survey among Muslims in Mumbai, India, showed that most of the respondents in the study believe that using eye drops during fasting hours of Ramadan would break the fast and about a third of them would not use drops for a painful eye condition during the fasting period, although eye drops do not invalidate fasting as long as the patient does not feel the taste as will be mentioned later on. This indicates that Ramadan could be an important cause for noncompliance with prescribed medications. Therefore, it is important for PCPs to know the main medication types, conditions, and procedures that may or may not invalidate fasting in order to have an informed discussion with their Muslim patients.
What Is The Main Purpose Of Ramadan
During Ramadan, Muslims aim to grow spiritually and become closer to Allah and their loved ones. They do this by fasting and abstaining from pleasures like smoking, drinking and sexual intercourse between sunrise and sunset each day. Ramadan is also a time for unity and spiritual reflection and Muslims spend time praying, reciting the Quran and doing good deeds. They donate to charity, spend time with loved ones, and avoid lying, gossiping and fighting.
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Reasons For Fasting In Ramadan #: Family And Community
One of the greatest benefits and reasons for fasting in Ramadan is renewing solidarity and cultivating positive relationships with ones family and community.
Only one who observes fasting in Ramadan can truly know the beauty and joy of breaking fast with others, celebrating the gift of life daily for thirty days with loved ones.
Fasting in Ramadan is truly one of the greatest social experiences a human being will ever have, and this is one of the most important aspects of this unique pillar of Islamic practice.
What Happens At The End Of Ramadan
A special three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. It begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky. Its a joyous occasion, with Muslims celebrating the end of fasting and giving thanks to Allah.
During the three days, Muslims attend prayers in the morning and visit loved ones and neighbours. Then they enjoy a delicious traditional feast with friends and family. Children are often given presents, and its custom to donate to those in need. As a symbol of unity, Ramadan is a time when Muslims from all over the world come together to celebrate their faith.
What are your favourite Ramadan traditions and customs? Let us know in the comments below!
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Who Are Exempted From Fasting During The Month Of Ramadan
The groups of people who scholars agree are not required to fast during Ramadan are elderly, women that are pregnant, nursing, and/or menstruating, people travelling, those who are stricken with an illness, and those who are forced to break their fast out of coercion.
There are differences of opinion when we get into specifics, for example who is exempt from fasting because they are travelling. Questions like what constitutes travel, how far must one go?
But generally, those are the accepted groups that have a valid reason and are excused from keeping the fast.
Things To Do During Ramadan
All about goodness, patience and forgiveness, here are the things that one should do during the holy month of Ramadan.
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How To Break The Fast
During Ramadan, there are five daily prayers. Muslims break their fast after the evening prayer with the meal called ifr. This meal is often celebrated with friends and extended family. Ifr traditionally starts with dates and water.
“Dates are one of the main staples of the Arabian Peninsula,” said Ziad. “During the time of the Prophet, they were considered to be considered to be superfoods.”
What Is Eid Al
The end of Ramadan is a celebration known as Eid al-Fitr, one of the major holidays for Muslims. Families and friends get together, and there is a special communal prayer to mark the end of Ramadan. People often dress up in traditional clothing and eat traditional foods.
Traditional foods depend on the region in which Ramadan is being celebrate. According to Halifax Public Libraries, maamoul is a shortbread cookie eaten in Syria and Lebanon, made from dates, pistachios or walnuts. Bolani is a thin-crusted bread with a vegetable filling traditionally eaten in Afghanistan. Tufahija, a dessert composed of poached apples drenched in sugar and stuffed with walnut, is enjoyed by Bosnians.
“It’s a celebration that that that brings families and friends together to be happy that they completed the month of fasting,” Ziad said.
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Explained: Heres Why Muslims Fast During Ramadan
Ramadan– one of the holiest months in Islam, is meant to be a time of prayer and contemplation, when Muslims strive to get closer to God
AP Photo
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast from dusk to dawn during the entire month, which ends when the new moon is sighted, giving way to Eid ul-fitr celebrations.
The act of fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
During the month, Muslims have a pre-dawn meal called suhoor and they abstain from food and drink all day. The fast is broken immediately after sunset during a meal called iftar.
Muslims fast during Ramadan to get closer to God through prayer and contemplation.
Many acts of worship apart from fasting are done during this month. Of them, the most important one is the Taraweeh prayer observed in the evening. Its usually a community event, when mosques all over the world conduct additional prayers throughout the night.
Another act of worship that gains precedence during this month is charity. Like fasting, charity is another pillar of Islam and the Prophet urged Muslims to donate as much as one can to the poor during Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan usually has 29 or 30 days. The number of days, again depend on the lunar calendar and the month ends when the new moon is sighted.
Rule # : Practicing Other Type Of Worships Is A Must
Islam is a holistic religion and doesnt see anything in isolation, especially when it comes to the act of worship. Irrespective of what the month is, offering Salah , reading the whole Quran at least once, and doing charity is expected of Muslims all year round.
Therefore when it comes to Ramadan, all the acts of worship are expected to be practice regardless of whether someone is fasting or not . The best part of this Ramadan fasting rule is that every type of worship practiced in this holy month is rewarded 70 times more than the other months.
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Detox Your Bad Habits
Detox during Ramadan is to abstain from bad habits which may harm a Muslim spiritually and literally. Heres an example, Muslim smokers must abstain from smoking during their fast, which may be a starting point for them to kick their habit and carry on beyond Ramadan. Detox here means that we get rid of bad habits, not just body detoxification.
Reasons For Fasting In Ramadan #: Simplicity And Non
When living without discipline and restraint, life quickly becomes overly complicated, leading to a heavy burden that results in unnecessary stress, anxiety, unhappiness and difficulty.
By fasting in Ramadan, we limit excess and indulgence, facilitating the return to simplicity and non-attachment, releasing one from dependence on dunya and so contributing to psychological health and happiness, and practical wellness and balance.
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How Does Fasting Work
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars or duties of Islam, along with the testimony of faith, prayer, charitable giving, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims are required to take part every year, though there are special dispensations for those who are ill, pregnant or nursing, menstruating, or traveling, and for young children and the elderly.
The practice of fasting serves several spiritual and social purposes: to remind you of your human frailty and your dependence on God for sustenance, to show you what it feels like to be hungry and thirsty so you feel compassion for the poor and needy, and to reduce the distractions in life so you can more clearly focus on your relationship with God.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating any food, drinking any liquids, smoking cigarettes, and engaging in any sexual activity, from dawn to sunset. That includes taking medication . Chewing gum is also prohibited .
Doing any of those things “invalidates” your fast for the day, and you just start over the next day. To make up for days you didn’t fast, you can either fast later in the year or provide a meal to a needy person for each day you missed.
What Exactly Is Fasting
First and foremost, fasting is commonly defined as Abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance. In principle, this definition is descriptive of the act of keeping a fast, but fails to grasp the depth and essence of the concept. The incorporation of fasting in world religions signifies that the scope of this practice reaches well beyond the simplicity of abstention from food and drink. Historically, fasting has also been used as an expression of protest against what they believe are violations of social, ethical, or political principles. For example Mahatma Gandhis use of fasting to exert moral pressure on his political opponents was often an effective and widely publicized tactic. But generally, fasting is regarded by world religions primarily as a mode of self-reflection, moral conditioning, and spiritual advancement.
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Fasting With An Illness
whoever is ill or on a journey then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that which He has guided you and perhaps you will be grateful. Surah Baqarah Ayah 185
Heres the story of my mother who is type 2 diabetic and fasting. In the middle of the day she became very tired and lethargic and fainted while coming down the stairs but it was no longer safe for her to continue the fast and so she broke it by drinking some water to rehydrate.
If you are already fasting and have become sick and wish to break the fast due to sickness or illness there are four different conditions in which this would be permissible.
Why Is Ramadan Celebrated
Ramadan is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of what became the Quran, the holy book for Muslims, from God.
The Quran states:
The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Quran, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the month, let him fast it.
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What Can I Do To Be Respectful Of My Muslim Friends During Ramadan
In some Muslim countries, it is a crime to eat and drink in public during the day in the month of Ramadan, even if you’re not Muslim.
Of course, this is not the case in the United States, where we enjoy freedom of religion. And most American Muslims, myself included, don’t expect the non-Muslims around us to radically change their behavior to accommodate our religious fast during Ramadan.
I’ve had friends and coworkers who have chosen to fast along with me out of solidarity , and that was sweet of them, but it’s not something I ever expect people to do.
All that said, there are things you can do, and not do, to make things a little easier for friends or colleagues who happen to be fasting for Ramadan. If you share an office with someone fasting, maybe eat your delicious, juicy cheeseburger in the office break room rather than at your desk, where your poor, suffering Muslim coworkers will have to smell it and salivate .
Try to remember not to offer them a bite or a sip of what you’re eating, because it’s sometimes hard for us to remember that we’re fasting and easy to absentmindedly accept and eat that Lay’s potato chip you just offered us. But if you do, it’s okay. We’re not going to get mad or be offended .
Even something as simple as learning one of those expressions and saying it with a smile to your Muslim friends will go a long way toward making them feel comfortable and welcome.
Why Do The Dates Of Ramadan Change Every Year
For religious matters, Muslims follow a lunar calendar that is, one based on the phases of the moon whose 12 months add up to approximately 354 days. That’s 11 days shorter than the 365 days of the standard Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the Islamic lunar calendar moves backward approximately 11 days each year in relation to the regular Gregorian calendar.
So that means that the first day of the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, moves backward by about 11 days each year.
This has a large impact on how people experience Ramadan from year to year. When Ramadan falls in the winter, it’s much easier to fast: the days are shorter, which means you don’t have to fast as long, and it’s colder out, so not being able to drink water all day isn’t as big of a deal because you’re not sweating as much.
Conversely, when Ramadan falls in the summer, fasting can be brutal. In many Muslim countries in the Middle East and Africa, summer temperatures can reach levels usually reserved for the deepest bowels of hell.
And in some Northern European countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Sweden , fasting can last an average of 20 hours or more in the summer.
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