What Is Ramadan? What Is Fasting ?

Who Should Fast?

What Is The Main Goal ?

How Does A Muslim Fast In Ramadan?

Definition of Fasting

Lexical : al-saum means to refrain from something

Legal: to refrain from food, drink, sexual intercourse other acts that break the fast from dawn to sunset, with the intention of worship

The Obligation of Fasting in Ramadan

Virtues of Ramadan

Great rewards!Supplication will not be refused

Moments of Joy!

Intercessor on Judgement Day

Smell that’s better than musk

Protection from Fire

1 day = 70 years distance from Fire!

Paradise for those who die in Ramadan

The door of Ar-Rayyan

Qur’an was revealed &a night that is better than 1000 months !

Devils in chain Equivalent to fasting 10 months

Forgiveness of Sins!

People freed from fire every break of fast

Life of worship

“I have not created jinn and men except to worship Me “ -The Qur’an

Islam transforms our lives

Slave to The CreatorSurrenderSeeking Allah’s pleasureAvoid Allah’s displeasure

Rituals Lead to a Life of Worship

Worship does not stop with Rituals

How does the Fasting prepare us for this lifelong act of worship?

How Does Fasting Develop Us?

Exclusively Private WorshipThe All-knowing God alone knows that His servant is fasting.

Sure Sign of faithThe private nature of the Fasting ensures that you havestrong faith in God as the One who knows everything.

Month-long TrainingIf you emerge triumphant from this test, more strength develops in you to refrain from other sins. TAQWA !!!

How Does Fasting Develop Us?

Practising ObedienceObeying the injunctions of the Shariah. Like a soldier who is continuously living in discipline, and following certain rules all the time.

Communal FastingLike how an army is trained, everyone has to act at the same time at the sound of the bugle so that they may develop the team spirit, learn to act inunison, and assist each other in their task of development.

As flowers blossom in spring, so does taqwa in Ramadan.

A bunch of beautiful flowers is better than a single one.

How Does Fasting Develop Us?

“Every good deed of a man is granted manifold increase,ten to seven hundred times. But says Allah: Fasting is anexception; it is exclusively for Me, and I reward for it asmuch as I wish” (Bukharl, Muslim).

Good HEALTH !

Do not miss the SPIRIT and TRUE MEANING of Ramadan!!!

True Spiritof Fasting

Spirit and Form

•Every work has two components

1) Form 2) Goal

•The example of eating food

Therefore, real worship is not only the outward form !

'so that you may attain toGod-consciousness', la'allakum tattaqun.

Conditions of True Fasting

Abstention From Falsehood -

“ If one does not give up speaking falsehood and acting by it, God does not require him to give up eating and drinking” [ Bukhari]

Conditions of True Fasting

Faith and Self-scrutiny

“ Whoever observes the Fast, believing and counting, hasall his past sins forgiven” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Conditions of True FastingShield Against Sins

“The Fast is like a shield [for protection from Satan'sattack]. Therefore when one observes the Fast he should [use this shield and] abstain from quarrelling. If anybody abuses him or quarrels with him, he shouldsimply say: Brother, I am fasting [do not expect me toindulge in similar conduct]” (Bukhari) Muslim).

Conditions of True FastingHunger for goodness -

• Compassion and sympathy to others who are suffering.• Being thankful for the blessings we have.

The Prophet’s great generosity during Ramadan.

The Guidelines for Ramadan Doing the right thing so maximize the blessings, in sha Allah

Who must fast?

• An adult Muslim• Sane• Ability to Fast

The Guidelines for Ramadan Doing the right thing so maximize the blessings, in sha Allah

• Our source of guidance – Qur’an &Sunnah • Starting the month of Ramadan - moon sighting completing 30 days of Sha’ban

• The intention (niyyah) - obligatory before time of fajr but not for voluntary fast - From the heart not to be pronounced

The Guidelines for Ramadan Doing the right thing so maximize the blessings, in sha Allah

• Eating suhoor (pre-dawn) meal- (the time & blessings of suhoor)

• When to start the fast• Ending the fast• Breaking the fast (iftar meal)

The Guidelines for Ramadan Those Who Are Not Obliged To Fast In Ramadan

• The traveller - the option. Not fasting is better.• The sick person• States of menses or post-child birth bleeding - scholars agreed that there’s no reward if the woman fast.• The old man and old woman - feed a person for each day that is missed (fidyah)•The pregnant and breast-feeding women. - if there is fear of harm on the mother & foetus or child

The Guidelines for Ramadan

What Nullifies the Fast

• Apostatizing from Islam• The firm intention to break the fast• Having doubts about continuing the fast• Intentionally vomiting• Anal enemas or intravenous intake of foods• Menstrual or post-partum bleeding• Swallowing phlegm if it reaches all the way to the mouth

The Guidelines for Ramadan

What Nullifies the Fast

• Cupping [ a medical practice meant to release blood from the body] for both the one being cupped and the one doing the cupping•Ejaculation of sperm due to repeated looks•Ejaculation of sperm or release of prostatic fluid due to kissing touching, masturbation or touching in a manner less than sexual intercourse*• Anything that reaches the stomach, throat or brain of fluids or other things.

* Rules for making up and atonement

How much rewards do you want to gain?

PREPARE FOR THE BIG RACE !

GETTING THE MOST BLESSINGS FROM RAMADAN

Recommended Actions That Brings Great Rewards, In Sha Allah

•To offer every prayer with congregation in the Masjid. • To rise up a little earlier than the exact time of suhoor and to offer the Salaah of Tahajjud.• To pray optional prayers as much as possible• The recitation of the glorious Qur'aan as much as one can.• Dhikr – remembering Allah.• Prayers and supplications (du'aa)• Giving Sadaqah (charity)• Forgiving others (incl familie and all Muslims) • Breaking the fast with odd number of dates• Giving IFTARS (breaking of the fast)• Doing various good deeds (eg. Helping someone, smiling, etc) • Witnessing LAYLATUL QADR (The Night of Decree)• Performing Umrah ( mini pilgrimage) • Performing Itikhaf (seclusion)

WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN RAMADHAAN ?

1. Telling a lie 2. Backbiting

3. Quarrelling

4. Eating unlawful things

5. Earning through unlawful means

6. Any act which may harm a person

7. Burdening one's servants or employees with a toilsome job that is beyond their ability, without providing them facilities to carry it out.

In short, one should try his best to refrain from all kinds of sins and protect his eyes, ears, tongue, and all other organs from indulging in any unlawful activity.