What is Ramadan ?
Question: What is Ramadan?
Ramadan
is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month,
Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.
Answer: During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from
food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to
purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan
is much more than just not eating and drinking.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light
of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us,
strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially
to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for
"fasting" (sawm)
literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and
drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be
restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from
looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does
not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene
words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every
part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment
of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to
practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and
re-focus one's self on the worship of God.
What are the Islamic requirements for fasting during
Ramadan?
For the Muslim, the fast of Ramadan has specific regulations and rules
(fiqh). Islamic scholars have outlined the fasting requirements for the
general population, and explain the accommodations that can be made when someone
is unable to fast because of sickness or other health reasons.
Answer: While many of the general fasting requirements are the same
for everyone, it is best to consult one of the many detailed fiqh resources for
specific rules and special circumstances. These links give more detailed
information on general guidelines and special cases such as sickness, pregnancy,
chronic health problems, and more.
Ramadan
is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month,
Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.
Answer: During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from
food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to
purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan
is much more than just not eating and drinking.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light
of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us,
strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially
to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for
"fasting" (sawm)
literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and
drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be
restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from
looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does
not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene
words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every
part of the body observes the fast.
Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment
of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to
practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and
re-focus one's self on the worship of God.
What are the Islamic requirements for fasting during
Ramadan?
For the Muslim, the fast of Ramadan has specific regulations and rules
(fiqh). Islamic scholars have outlined the fasting requirements for the
general population, and explain the accommodations that can be made when someone
is unable to fast because of sickness or other health reasons.
Answer: While many of the general fasting requirements are the same
for everyone, it is best to consult one of the many detailed fiqh resources for
specific rules and special circumstances. These links give more detailed
information on general guidelines and special cases such as sickness, pregnancy,
chronic health problems, and more.
