Fasting has a tempering effect on the body; it cools the passions and sharpens the mind. Muslims also spend more time offering obligatory and voluntary prayers, reading and studying the Holy Qur’an, as well as being more charitable. Fasting invokes feelings of gratefulness to God for all of His blessings upon us. Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan? As humans, we are susceptible to sin and transgression. Fasting teaches Muslims to be pious, helping them restrain from worldly pleasures and focus on spiritual growth. While in reality the rewards for fasting in Ramadan are countless and its full benefits known only to God, the following are ten very important reasons why Muslims are encouraged to observe fasting in Ramadan. Fasting in Ramadan, #1: A Pillar of Islam. Fasting during Ramadan is an act of obedience to Allah Almighty’s command. Any reason for leaving this obligatory act of worship without valid justification is considered a major sin. Muslims fast the month of Ramadan because Allah has commanded them to do so. Therefore, Muslims worship Allah through fasting which is beloved to Allah and which He has enjoined upon us. Ramadan is a month of fasting and prayers for the Muslims. The fast consists of total abstinence from food and drink from dawn to dusk. There is, however, a greater significance to fasts than mere abstinence from eating and drinking. Fasting in Islam means refraining from food, drinks, and sexual activity from dawn to sunset with having intention and pure sincerity to Allah. There are two kinds of fasting in Islam obligatory fasting and voluntary Fasting. Firstly, obligatory fasting is The fasting of the Holy month of Ramadan which is the ninth month of the lunar year. The Islamic Fast, as opposed to mere starvation or self-denial, is an act of worship and obedience to God, thanksgiving, forgiveness, spiritual training, and self-examination. Self Reflection. Ramadan gives us a break and provides us with a rare opportunity to think about our own selves, our future, and our families. Here are ten detailed reasons illustrating the importance of fasting in Ramadan: Fulfillment of a Religious Obligation: As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, fasting during Ramadan is a mandatory act for adult Muslims. Fasting during the month of Ramadan constitutes one of these five obligations. The four other pillars are Shahada (the profession of faith), Salat (praying), Zakat (charity) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). What does fasting involve? During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking. Ramadan fasting is one of the most observed of all the pillars of Islam, with 70-80% of Muslims practising it. It is obligatory for all Muslims, men and women, from the age of puberty. The reason fasting six days of Shawwal after Ramadan is like fasting for a year is because Allah multiplies good deeds by ten. The Prophet clarified in another narration, “Fasting the month of Ramadan is like ten months of fasting and fasting six days of Shawwal is like two months of fasting. Thus, they are like fasting for a year.” Make up for the missed fast by fasting another day after Ramadan. If they break it without a valid reason, they must fast for 60 days or feed 60 poor people as compensation. This rule emphasizes the seriousness of fasting and encourages people to be mindful of their commitment. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar during which the Holy Quran was sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).. During this time, Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset, a command given to Muslims in the Quran itself, instructing believers to observe fasting as an act of devotion and self-discipline. There are several reasons why Muslims fast during Ramadan, as discussed earlier: Following the Command of Allah : Fasting is a divine command from Allah, mentioned in the Quran as a way to increase piety and devotion. One must either fast for 60 days after Ramadan or feed 60 people in need (according to the Hanafi school) and fast one day extra. [ 5 ] During a 2013 poliomyelitis outbreak in Somalia , some groups of aid workers were granted an exemption for the oral polio vaccine . These are the valid reasons for breaking the fast during Ramadan: 1- sickness, 2- traveling, 3 - pregnancy and breastfeeding, 4- senility and old age, 5- intense hunger and thirst, and 6- compulsion. Ramadan, in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Islamic tradition states that it was during Ramadan that the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran. When Does Ramadan 2025 Start and End? Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025, and end on the evening of Saturday, March 29, 2025. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon. Why is Ramadan Important in Islam? Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a special time for Muslims around the world. It is a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, bringing people closer to their faith.
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