What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which the Quran was revealed. It is a month of fasting, prayer, generosity and drawing closer to Allah. Fasting during Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam.
Allah says in the Quran:
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain piety." (Al-Baqarah, 2:183)
The Rules of Fasting
Fasting consists of abstaining from eating, drinking and marital relations from the appearance of dawn (fajr) until sunset (maghrib).
Who must fast?
- Every adult Muslim of sound mind and good health
- Travelers and the sick may postpone their fast
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women may postpone if they fear for their health or the child's health
- The elderly or those with chronic illness may feed a poor person for each day not fasted
What invalidates the fast:
- Eating or drinking deliberately
- Marital relations during the day
- Deliberate vomiting
What does not invalidate the fast:
- Eating or drinking out of forgetfulness (the fast continues)
- Rinsing the mouth and nose during ablution (without exaggeration)
- Non-nutritive injections
Spiritual Goals
Ramadan is not merely a physical abstention. Its objectives are:
- Attaining piety (taqwa): the primary goal mentioned in the Quran
- Purifying the soul: ridding oneself of bad habits and strengthening willpower
- Increasing generosity: the Prophet was most generous during Ramadan
- Multiplying worship: the reward for good deeds is multiplied
- Seeking Laylat al-Qadr: the Night of Decree, better than a thousand months
Suggested Daily Schedule
- Suhur (pre-dawn meal): wake up to eat before fajr, this is a blessed sunnah
- Fajr prayer: pray at the mosque if possible
- Morning: recite the Quran, perform morning adhkar
- Dhuhr and 'Asr: pray on time, avoid idle talk
- Before Maghrib: a favorable time for supplications
- Iftar (breaking the fast): break with dates and water, pronouncing the supplication
- Maghrib prayer then dinner
- Tarawih: voluntary prayers after 'Isha, preferably in congregation
- Last part of the night: a favorable time for tahajjud and du'a
Practical Tips
- Set a Quran reading goal (the Prophet completed it during Ramadan)
- Avoid excessive screen time and distractions
- Prepare simple meals to dedicate more time to worship
- Be patient and avoid disputes
- Take advantage of the last ten days to intensify your efforts and seek Laylat al-Qadr
- Do not forget Zakat al-Fitr before the 'Eid prayer
May Allah grant us the ability to experience Ramadan with sincerity and to emerge from this month with our sins forgiven.
