Learn About Muslim Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

Learn About Muslim Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

Ramadan comes but once a year and it is a time when the Muslim must live the life that was dictated by the Quran and the sunnah (ways of the prophet). It's said that Allah needs nothing from the Muslim who fasts, but speaks and hears evil words during this very significant month in Islamic culture. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet Mohammad, (peace and blessings be upon him*) explained, "Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech." [Bukhari and others]




All Muslims must fast in the month of Ramadan unless they are traveling or ill. During Ramadan, Muslims hear no evil, speak no evil and worship Allah.

 

Intention of the Muslim Fasting in Ramadan

 

At the start of Ramadan, all Muslims must begin by silently reiterating their intention to fast the entire month of Ramadan. This is done in the heart, not verbally. It's said that it's sufficient to reiterate the intention to fast at the beginning of the month; it's not necessary to make the intention daily. The mere act of beginning to fast is an act upon the intention to complete the requisite Ramadan fast, which occurs from dawn to dusk.


There are a total of three principles of fasting for the month of Ramadan.

There are Blessings in the Suhoor for Muslims Fasting

 

It is sunnah (usual practice in Islam) to have suhoor (light meal before beginning the fast) and there are many blessings at this time. The suhoor, which should be very light, will help the Muslim to handle the fast with greater ease. There are many hadiths on the blessings of the suhoor.

A companion said, "I entered upon the Prophet and he was taking the Suhoor and he said: "It is a blessing which Allah has given to you, so do not leave it". [Ahmad and an-Nasa'i; Sahih].

Why should a Muslim fasting partake of suhoor? It's said that Allah forgives the person eating suhoor and sends his mercy upon them. Muslims also believe that the angels will ask Allah to pardon the person eating suhoor and even the eating of a date or a sip of water could be counted as suhoor.

What is Forbidden While a Muslim is Fasting?

 

As stated above, the Muslim fasting must abstain from all bad talk and even listing to bad talk. It is best to spend the time worshiping Allah with zikr (praise), reading Quran, doing voluntary prayers and doing good deeds. Charity given while fasting will bring great rewards to the Muslim fasting. The other things forbidden while fasting is intercourse, lying, backbiting and cursing. No food or drink is allowed or is smoking.

If the Muslim fasting is in dire need of an inhaler to breathe with, this is permissible. It's believed that acts such as going to the dentist should be postponed unless an emergency. Injections are allowed if the fasting Muslim is ill or requires medical attention. Keep in mind that Muslims are not required to fast if they feel that they are too ill to do so.

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