Have You Noticed That Each Year

8/8/2019 Have You Noticed That Each Year

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Have you noticed that each year, Ramadan goes by faster and faster?

This blessed month can’t be left to become a blur in our memories. It has to be more than that time of the year we

squeeze in fasting amongst the other things we do daily.

...

One way to make the most of Ramadan is to plan beforehand. Here are some reasons why you should plan for

Ramadan:

Reason #1: To be in "Ramadan mode"★

By planning for Ramadan before it arrives, you put your mind in "Ramadan mode". If you plan, you will mentally

prepare for it, and it will force you to see it as the special month it is outside of your regular routine the rest of the

year.

Reason #2: To adjust your schedule★

By planning in advance, you can adjust your work, sleep and meal schedules in such a way as to make time for

Suhoor, Iftar, etc. That means, for instance, that if you normally go to bed at midnight, in Ramadan you would sleep

earlier in order to get up early for Suhoor. Or if you usually study late, you can instead sleep earlier and start

studying after Suhoor in the early morning hours. Planning in advance allows you the luxury to make time for the

change in schedule that Ramadan brings.

Reason #3: To do good at high Sawab times★

Being generous is definitely an Islamic merit, but being generous in Ramadan is even more highly rewarded. Match

Ibadat with specific times that carry more reward. Prepare to do Itifkaf, increase asking Allah for forgiveness in the

last ten nights of Ramadan. Plan to give increased Sadaqa this month. Plan to visit that relative you may have not

seen for months, if not years. Thinking about and arranging to do these things and finding other ways of gaining the

pleasure of Allah in Ramadan will Insha Allah help you benefit more from it.

Reason #4: You can plan Dawa activities during Ramadan★

Some Muslims have gone to soup kitchens and made meals during Ramadan, while they were fasting. Not only will,

Insha Allah, they be rewarded, but this is a great Dawa opportunity to explain what Ramadan and Islam are about.

Planning in advance for such an activity gives you the time to call up a soup kitchen in your area, explain what you

want to do, and get your act together. You can also plan school Dawa activities in Ramadan by planning in advance,

by meeting with the principal or teacher beforehand, preparing a presentation, etc. Click here to get Dawah Tips -

http://bit.ly/a9rJE6

hy this month?

Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the

Quran, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., the prophet Muhammad, peace be uponhim, used to go out to the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) to think about

faith, society and God.

One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told

Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed,Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Quran.

At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Quran is recited each nightin prayers known as Tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture

will have been recited.

Why do Muslims fast?

Muslims practice Sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that

they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun is up as well as making a





special effort to avoid sins. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with

other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in Sawm from about age twelve.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are remindedof the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to

cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylighthours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun

sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as Iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and

sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

How does Ramadan end?

Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2003 occurs on November 26.

Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most importantIslamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-

Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations,give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good

deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of

Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to Mosques.

Ramadaan Project : Medical Benefits of Fasting

ShareTuesday, September 8, 2009 at 11:07amAssalamu alaykum Wr. Wb.,

Today is the 18th day of Ramadan, more or less we have only 12 days remaining! Howquickly does something you love go when it has just arrived.

For us who fast, we know how we benefit from the yearly abstinence. However now wese that the rest of the world has found evidence to support what we have known all our

lives.

Of course fasting has many benefit not least medical and physical ones, it is not thesereasons why we fast. Fasting brings about Taqwa, fear of Allah and relistion of His

blessing that He has bestowed upon us. By fasting we empathise and sympathise with the

poor who have no food, or drink as well as those who cannot get married or those whocannot be with their spouses. In this blessed month we have the pooptunity to overcome

Shaytaan and his hole he has on us, this month is the time we can put into practice the

template of beleif we want to achieve... so achieve it what you waiting for!!!

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Is fasting beneficial for human health?

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the basic religious duties of Muslims. In the past it was

thought that

the benefits of fasting were limited to spiritual and emotional effects. However, recent

studies indicate that a person can benefit in many physical and psychological ways from

fasting. The studies reveal that the body’s immune system, blood circulation, digestiveorgans, reproductive and urinary systems as well as the heart may all benefit from fasting.

Many Muslims think that fasting has a detrimental effect on their physical performance.

Such thinking has led many Islamic countries to decrease working hours duringRamadan.

But a new U.S. study conducted by the Institute of Islamic Medicine for Education andResearch in Panama City, Florida has proven that fasting does not have a negative effect

on the muscles or on physical performance. Nor does it necessarily result in tiredness or

lethargy.

The study concluded that there is in fact an improvement in the body’s ability to bear

physical and muscular effort and the performance of the heart is also said to improve. The

study monitored the physical performance of 20 healthy people, including 12 males and 8females, before and during fasting. The participant’s ages ranged from 12 to 52 years old.

The study found that participants’ heart rates decreased from 170 beats per minute beforefasting to 159 per minute while fasting. That suggests a 6 percent improvement in heart

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rate. Moreover, a significant improvement in blood pressure was also recorded.

The study also found that participants noticed less breathing difficulties during Ramadan,and felt less tiredness in the legs when exercising. Muscle performance was also said to

improve.

Various other studies have shown that fasting increases the amount of free fatty acids in

the blood, which aside from glucose are the body’s main source of energy. Fatty acids

help to reduce the depletion of glycogen in the liver and muscles during exercise, and prevent the depletion of glucose in blood. Under the normal conditions, glucose is the

main source of energy. However, physical effort forces the body to use up glucose

quickly, leaving a person feeling tired and exhausted.

The body’s dependence on glucose decreases during fasting since sufficient quantities of

amino acids are available in the blood to supply the body with energy. The result of this

is an improvement in overall muscle performance.

Another recent study, prepared by Dr. Jad al-Moula Abdul-Aziz, a professor at the

Faculty of Medicine of Cairo University, concluded that fasting helps to eliminate about35 percent of the toxins that accumulate in the body during our normal activities such as

eating and breathing. Fasting helps to reduce these harmful toxins and in so doing

protects the body’s cells from diseases and delays aging.

Another scientific study shows that fasting helps to regulate the blood pressure. Dr.

Ibrahim Hamed, researcher in the Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, at the

National Research Center in Cairo, concluded that fasting is an effective treatment for patients suffering from arteriosclerosis, characterized by the hardening of plaque-covered

arteries. During a period of fasting, which continues for more than 12 hours a day, the

digestive system has nothing to do and thus stops working. This prevents the blood fromgathering around the stomach and intestines and allows the circulatory system to flow

freely and regularly, which as a side effect may reduce pain caused by arteriosclerosis.

He added that during a period of fasting, the body burns any stored fats in the body and

converts them to energy. This, it has been found, reduces the possibility of infecting

healthy people with arteriosclerosis.

Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said,"Whoever did not fast one day

of Ramadhan without a genuine excuse or a disease (genuine illness that prevents

one from fasting) then even if he fasted for a complete year, it would not compensate

for that (missed Ramadhan) day." [Saheeh Bukhari]




Ramadan is a school of iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' - to

acquire one's provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in

the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions,habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza wa jall. “Verily,

Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in

themselves.” [Ar-Ra`d, 11]

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa,

truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against you soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one whosewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it

pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or

have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night

comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people sayabout such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan andleaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of

obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins

and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

Project Ramadaan: What Would You Do if You Knew This Was Your Last Ramadan? A

Reminder for Us!!

ShareThursday, August 27, 2009 at 3:48pm

What Would You Do if You Knew This Was Your Last Ramadan?

We have 30 days of Ramadan each year. Some of us look forward it because of its bountiful benefits to our spiritual self. It makes us stronger inwardly and this helps us

face another new year.






But sometimes, even though we know of its many benefits, we still feel weary and tired

of fasting and keeping up with our many spiritual obligations from praying to reading and

studying the Quran daily, and even watching how we speak and interact with people. Noone ever said that fasting would be easy - it is not simply abstaining from food and water

from daybreak to sunset. It is a whole lot more. Most of us know this.

And yet, being human, we start consciously or unconsciously slacking off, be it from

duties such as praying or reading the Quran. Instead, we spend our day sleeping, might

eating and talking instead of prayer and relection. If we feel guilty, then we tell ourselvesthat we will fast "properly" the next day. In some cases, when a bad cycle begins, it can

be difficult to break it. And before we know it, Ramadan has ended. We celebrate Eid

and another year begins. Well, maybe next year, we'll do it "properly".

But what if we do not get another chance to fast "properrly" so that God forgives all of

our sins? We may be healthy and fit right now, but what is the guarantee that we will

remain healthy and fit tomorrow? If you knew that this was your last Ramadan, that

something might prevent you from ever experiencing Ramadan again, would you notwant to observe it the right way today, the best you can? So that you can reap of its

benefits while you are still able to?

One of our writers' relative suffered a small stroke while fasting recently. The stroke was

not fatal, nor will it be permanently damaging. But it was serious enough that she is not

expected to be able to fast the rest of the month. Perhaps since she is of advanced age, shemight not be able to fast any more for the rest of her life.

But that should give us all pause. We do not know what the future holds. We may beyoung and healthy, and have all of bodily and mental functions intact. But that can

change in an instant. It is only when we think of our own mortality that we know how

limiting we as human beings actually are. And how precious time is.

Do not waste your time. Use it well. And make this Ramadan count because we do not

know what the future holds, if we are lucky enough to observe another one.

"Man does not weary of asking for good (things), but if ill touches him, he gives up

all hope (and) is lost in despair."

When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourselves, after some adversity has

touched him, he is sure to say, "This is due to my (merit): I think not that the Hour (of

Judgment) will (ever) be established; but if I am brought back to my Lord, I have (much)good (stored) in His sight!" But We will show the Unbelievers the truth of all that they

did, and We shall give them the taste of a severe Penalty.

When We bestow favours on man, he turns away, and gets himself remote on his side

(instead of coming to Us); and when evil seizes him, (he comes) full of prolonged

prayer!"



(Quran, 41:49-51)

If we were to step back a moment and realize that this is the last Ramadan we will

see in our lifetime, how would we spend it? Death we know can come to us at any

time, yet we still remain so ignorant of the time now given to us to be utilized byAllah the Almighty.

I pray Allah gives, first of all me, and all Muslims the ability to utilize the month of Ramadan..May this Ramadan be our best so far, for we know not if we will witness the

next, Aameen..

Jazaak Allah Khairan for reading.

The month of Ramadhan in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance for

mankind and clear proofs for the guidance of the Criterion between right and

wrong. So whosoever of you sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhan, he

must fast that month." [Surah al-Baqarah 2:185].

Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

"lslam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except

Allah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayer, giving

the Zakah, performing Hajj to the House, and fasting in Ramadhan." l1

He sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam also said:

"There has come to you Ramadhan, a blessed month, in which Allah has made it

obligatory to fast. During it the gates of paradise are opened and the gates of

Hellfire are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained. In it is a night (Laylatul-

Qadr) which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has

truly been deprived." 2

From the many important lessons to be learnt from fasting are:-

[1]: GAINING TAQWA

Fasting has been legislated in order that we may gain taqwa, as Allah - the Most High -

said:

"O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those

before you in order that you may attain taqwa." [Surah al-Baqarah 2:183].

Talq ibn Habib (d.100H) - rahimahullah - said:

"When fitnah (trial and tribulation) appears then extinguish it with taqwa." So he was

asked as to what taqwa was, so he replied: "Taqwa is to act in obedience to Allah, upon alight (i.e. iman, faith) from Allah, hoping in the Mercy of Allah. And taqwa is leaving

acts of disobedience to Allah, upon a light from Allah, due to the fear of Allah."3

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"This is one of the best definitions of taqwa. For every action must have both a starting

point and a goal. And an action will not be considered as an act of obedience, or nearnessto Allah, unless it starts from pure iman (faith in Allah). Thus, it is pure iman - and not

habits, desires, nor seeking praise or fame, nor its like - that should be what initiates an

action. And the goal of the action should be to earn the reward of Allah and to seek Hisgood pleasure."4 So fasting is a means of attaining taqwa, since it helps prevent a person

from many sins that one is prone to. Due to this, the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam

said: "Fasting is a shield with which the servant protects himself from the Fire."5 So weshould ask ourselves, after each day of fasting: Has this fasting made us more fearful and

obedient to Allah? Has it aided us in distancing ourselves from sins and disobedience?

[2]: SEEKING NEARNESS TO ALLAH

The Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

"Allah said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My

servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the obligatory

duties that I have placed upon him. My servant continues to draw nearer to Me withoptional deeds so that I shall love him."6

The Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so

enters the Fire, then may Allah distance him."7

So drawing closer to Allah - the Mort Perfect - in this blessed month, can be achieved by

fulfilling one's obligatory duties; and also reciting the Qur'an and reflecting upon its

meanings, increasing in kindness and in giving charity, in making du'a (supplication) toAllah, attending the tarawih Prayer, seeking out Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Power and

Pre-Decree), a night which is better than a thousand months, attending gatherings of

knowledge, and striving in there actions that will cause the heart to draw closer to itsLord and to gain His forgiveness. Our level of striving in this blessed month should be

greater than our striving to worship Allah in any other month, due to the excellence and

rewards that Allah has placed in it. Likewise from the great means of seeking nearness toAllah in this month is making i'tikaf (seclusion in the mosque in order to worship Allah) -

for whoever is able.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: "Ramadaan has come

to you - a blessed month. Allaah has made it obligatory on you to fast in it. During

this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the

evil devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is better than a

thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been

deprived." [1]

The hadeeth is a glad tiding to the righteous servants of Allaah, of the coming of the

blessed month of Ramadaan. The Prophet (saws) informed his Companions of its coming

and it was not just a simple relaying of news. Rather, his intent was to give them the glad

tidings of a magnificent time of the year, so that the righteous people who are quick to do



deeds can give it its due estimate. This is because the Prophet (saws) explained in it (the

hadeeth) what Allaah has prepared for His servants from the ways towards gaining

forgiveness and His contentment - and they are many. So whoever has forgiveness escapehim during the month of Ramadaan, then he has been deprived with the utmost

deprivation.

From the great favors and bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants is that He

has prepared for them meritous occasions so that they may be of profit to those who obey

Him and a race for those who rush to compete (for good deeds). These meritousoccasions are times for fulfilling hopes by exerting in obedience and uplifting flaws and

deficiencies through self-rectification and repentance. There is not a single occasion from

these virtuous times, except that Allaah has assigned in it works of obedience, by which

one may draw close to Him. And Allaah possesses the most beautiful things as gifts,which He bestows upon whomsoever He wills by His Grace and Mercy.

So the one who achieves true happiness is he who takes advantage of these virtuous

months, days and hours and draws closer to His Guardian in them, by doing what is prescribed in them from acts of worship.

Thus perhaps he will be showered with one of the many blessings of those occasions and

be helped by it, with an assistance that is enough to save him from the Fire and what it

contains, such as its blazing heat. [2]

Being able to reach Ramadaan is itself a magnificent bounty that is bestowed on the one

who reaches it and rises to its occasion, by standing in prayer during its night and fasting

during its day. In it, he returns to his Protector -- from disobeying Him to obeying Him,from neglecting Him to remembering Him, from remaining distant from Him to turning

towards Him in submissive repentance.

A Muslim must be conscious of this bounty and acknowledge its magnitude. For indeed,

many people are prevented from fasting, either because they die before they reach it, or

because they are not capable of observing it or because they oppose and turn away fromit. Thus, the one who fasts must give praise to his Lord for this bounty and should

welcome this month with joy and delight that a magnificent time of the year out of all the

occasions for performing obedience is welcomed. He should exert himself deeply in

doing good deeds. And he should invoke Allaah to grant him the ability to fast and standin night prayer, and that He provide him with seriousness, enthusiasm, strength, and

energy in that month. And that He awaken him from heedless oversleeping so that he

may take advantage of these virtuous times of good.

It is unfortunate to find that many people do not know the value of this virtuous occasion,

nor do they consider it to be sacred. So the month of Ramadaan no longer becomes asignificant time for obedience, worship, reciting the Qur'aan, giving in charity and

making remembrance of Allaah. Rather, to some people, it becomes a signifcant time to

diversify their foods and drinks and to prepare different types of meals before the month

begins. Some other people do not know Ramadaan except as a month of sleeplessness



and constant recurring gatherings, while sleeping by day. This is to the point that some

among them sleep past the time of the obligatory prayers, thus not praying them in

congregation or in their proper times. Other people do not know Ramadaan except as asignifcant time for conducting worldly affairs, not as a significant time for conducting

affairs for the Hereafter. Thus, they work busily in it, buying and selling, and they stay in

the market areas, consequently abandoning the masaajid. And when they do pray with the people, they do so in such a hurried manner. This is because they find their pleasure in

the market places. This is the extent that the notions and views (of Ramadaan) have been

changed.

Some of the Salaf used to say: "Indeed Allaah, the Most High, has made the month of

Ramadaan as a competition for His creatures, in which they may race with one another to

His pleasure, by obeying Him. Thus, one group comes first and so they prosper andanother group comes last and so they fail." [3]

Also, the individual does not know if this is perhaps the last Ramadaan he will ever see in

his life, if he completes it. How many men, women and children have fasted with us the past year, and yet now they lie buried in the depths of the earth, relying on their good

deeds. And they expected to fast many more Ramadaans. Likewise, we too shall allfollow their path. Therefore, it is upon the Muslim to rejoice at this magnificent occasion

for worship. And he should not renounce it, but instead busy himself with what will

benefit him and what will cause its effect to remain. For what else is it, except numbered

days, which are fasted in succession and which finish rapidly.

May Allaah make us, as well as you, from among those who are foremost in attaining

good deeds.

n the month of Ramadaan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand

some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting.

Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the

Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Let it not be that the day that you fast and the daythat you break fast be equal." Meaning, one's behaviour, attitude and outlook are the

same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we

need to reflect on some of these lessons.

1. Gaining Taqwaa

Allaah legislated fasting for gaining taqwaa, "O you who believe, fasting has been




prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you

may attain taqwaa." (meaning of SoraatulBaqarah (2):183) Taqwaa in this case means

to make a shield between oneself and Allaah’s anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear Allaah more? Has

it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?

2. Drawing closer to Allaah

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur’aan during night and day, attendingthe taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allaah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those

who can, making ùmrah. Also for those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last

ten nights of Ramadaan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a

masjid just thinking of Allaah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allaah (SWT). When onesins, one feels distant from Allaah. That is why one might find it heard to read the

Qur’aan and come to the masjid. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allaah

and wants to worship Allaah more, because he is not shy from his sins.

3. Acquiring patience and strong will

Allaah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur’aan and has

commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and

gives up one’s food and drink, and one’s marital sexual relations for those hours, one

learns restraint and patience. This Ummah needs man and women that are strong willed,who can stand upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the

enemies of Allaah. We do not need emotional people, who just raise slogans and shout,

but when the time comes to stand upon something firm, they cannot do so, they waver.

4. Striving for Ihsaan (righteousness and sincerity) and staying away from riyaa’

(showing off)

Ihsaan means to worship Allaah as if one seeks Him, and even though one does not see

Him, He sees all. Hasan al-Basree said, "By Allaah, in the last twenty years, I have notsaid a word or taken something with my hand or refrained to take something with my

hand or stepped forth or stepped back, except that I have thought before I have done any

action, ‘Does Allaah love this action? Is Allaah pleased with this action?' So when one is

fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away fromriyaa’ (showing off). That is why Allah said in a hadeeth qudsee, "Fasting is for Me and

I reward it." (al-Bukhaaree) Allaah singles out fasting from all other types of worship

saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, exceptAllaah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making tawaaaf, one can

be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people.

Sufyaan ath-Thawree used to spend the nights and the days crying and the people used toask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of Allaah? He said, ‘No.’ They said, "Is it

due to the fear of the Hellfire?" He said, ‘No. It is not the fear of Hellfire that makes me

cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshipping Allaah all these years and doing

scholarly teaching, and I am not certain that my intentions are purely for Allaah.’"



5. Refinement of manners, especially those related totruthfulness and discharging

trusts.

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Whoever does

not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allaah (SWT) has no need that he shouldheave his food and drink." (al-Bukhaaree) What we learn from this, is that we must pay

attention to the purification of our manners. The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing

and peace upon him) said, "was sent to perfect good manners." (Maalik) So we mustcheck ourselves, are we following the behaviour of the Prophet (may Allaah send His

blessing and peace upon him)? For example: Do we give salaam to those we don’t know

and those we do know? Do we follow the manners of Islaam, by telling the truth and only

telling the truth? Are we sincere? Are we merciful to the creation?

6. Recognizing that one can change for the better

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Every son of

Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those whorepent." (Ibn Maajah) Allaah provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was

disobedient they can become obedient.

7. Being more charitable

Ibn Àbaas said, "The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) wasthe most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of

Ramadaan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the

month…" (al-Bukhaaree) The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon

him) said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive

the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s

reward." (at-Tirmidhee)

8. Sensing the unity of the Muslims

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "…Those of you

who will live after me will see many differences. Then you must cling to my Sunnah

and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khaleefahs. Hold fast to it and stick to it."

(Aboo Daawood) In this month we sense that there is a possibility for unity, because weall fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray

Salaatul-Èid together. Therefore we sense that the unity of Muslims is possible. It is




possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience

is only to Allaah and His Messenger.

9. Learning discipline

The Prophet (ma Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) made us adhere todiscipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to fanaticism or going outside the

bounds that Allaah has laid down. One cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset,

as this will not be accepted by Allaah. Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mold their lives

around.

10. Teaching the young to worship Allaah

It was the practice of the people of Madeenah, that during the fast of Àashooraa (which

is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the

children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention bygiving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their

parents. (as mentioned in al-Bukhaaree).

So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with their parents, so

that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allaah. If one does not

encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty. This is why the Prophet (may Allah send His blessing

and peace upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven and

beat them at the age of ten (if they do not pray." (Haakim)

11. Caring for one’s health

Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care of their health and

too build strong bodies. The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him)

said, "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer,

and there is good in everyone." (Muslim)

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar - that is,each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is

about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move"




each year. In 2003 Ramadan begins on Oct. 27; in 2004 it will begin on Oct. 15.

For more than a billion Muslims around the world-including some 8 million in NorthAmerica-Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. This

year Ramadan precedes Christmas and overlaps Hanukkah.

But while in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized, Ramadan

retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to God (Allah in Arabic).

Why this month?

Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the

Quran, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., the prophet Muhammad, peace be uponhim, used to go out to the desert nearMecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) to think about faith,

society and God.

One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who toldMuhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed,

Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Quran.

At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Quran is recited each night

in prayers known as Tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture

will have been recited.

Why do Muslims fast?

Muslims practice Sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that

they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun is up as well as making a

special effort to avoid sins. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As withother Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in Sawm from about age twelve.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are remindedof the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to

cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the

peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight

hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun

sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as Iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates andsweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

How does Ramadan end?

Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2003 occurs on November 26.

Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important

Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-



Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations,

give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good

deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of

Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to Mosques.

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