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 upon
him, 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 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 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 reminded
of 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 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 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.

Ramadaan Project : Medical Benefits of Fasting

Share
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 11:07am
Assalamu alaykum Wr. Wb.,

Today is the 18th day of Ramadan, more or less we have only 12 days remaining! How
quickly 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 we
se 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 these
reasons 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 who
cannot 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!!!
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, digestive
organs, 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 during
Ramadan.

But a new U.S. study conducted by the Institute of Islamic Medicine for Education and
Research 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 8
females, 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 before
fasting to 159 per minute while fasting. That suggests a 6 percent improvement in heart
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 about
35 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 from
gathering 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 who
sewed 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 say
about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and
leaves 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!!
Share
Thursday, 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. No
one 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 ourselves
that 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 not
want 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, she
might 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 be
young 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 by
Allah 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 a
light (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
"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 nearness
to 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 His
good 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 we
should 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 with
optional 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) to
Allah, 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 its
Lord 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 to
Allah 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 escape
him 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 meritous
occasions 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 from
it. 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 stand
in 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 a
significant 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 a
signifcant 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 and
another 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 all
follow 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 day
that 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, attending
the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allaah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those
who can, making `umrah. 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 one
sins, 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 not
said 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 from
riyaa’ (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, except
Allaah. 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 to
ask 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 should
heave 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 must
check 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 `Abaas said, "The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) was
the 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 we
all fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray
Salaatul-`Eid 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 to
discipline 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 `Aashooraa (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 by
giving 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 North
America-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 upon
him, 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 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 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 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 reminded
of 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 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 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.