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Ramadan
Fasting is also prescribed as an obligatory duty
of Islam and the
Muslim is obliged
to fast from sunrise to sunset during the thirty days of the month of Ramadan,
considered as the sultan of the twelve months. The command to fast is found in
the Qur'an:
Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down
the Qur'an, as a guide to
mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).
So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend
it in fasting. But if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should
be made up) by days later.
Surah 2.185
The believer must declare his niyyah (niyet)
before dawn each day and must abstain from all foods, liquids and other
pleasures (like smoking, sex etc.) during the day. He should partake of a proper
breakfast before the morning
prayer. At sunset he should also break his fast as soon as he can. The fast-month
ends with the sighting of the new moon heralding the month of Shawwal and the
Eid festival (bayram).
Abd Allah b. Abbas reported that the Apostle of
Allah,
Muhammed (may peace be
upon him), referring to Ramadan, declared: Do not begin to fast until you have
seen the crescent and do not leave the fast until you see it, and if there are
clouds, complete thirty days. (Muwatta Imam Malik, p.116).
Throughout the
Muslim world this
fast, although commanded only once in the
Qur'an, is rigidly
observed, even by those who are otherwise lax in religious observances. In
conclusion it may be said that Salaah and the Ramadan fast have a greater effect
on the Muslim's
religious consciousness than all the other prescribed duties of
Islam.
Fasting in Ramadan teaches people to get ready
for the bad days (like wars, food or water shortage etc.) and makes them
understand how the poor people feel when they have hunger.
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