Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims and fasting during Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Quran, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time re-reading the Quran and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.
Allaah (SWT) says in the Quran what may be interpreted as, “O’ you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may achieve Taqwaa (righteousness, God-fearing).” [Surat Al-Baqarah, verse 183]
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever observes the fast during the month of Ramadan, (while) believing in Allah (SWT) and seeking His rewards, will have his past sins forgiven.” [Reported by Imaams Bukhaari, Muslim and others]
When Does Ramadan Take Place?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on a 12 month lunar year of approximately 354 days. Because the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year, each lunar month moves 11 days earlier each year. It takes 33 solar years for the lunar months to complete a full cycle and return to the same season. In 2020, the month long fast of Ramadan begins on April 24th. The month traditionally begins and ends based on the sighting of the first crescent of the new moon. Starting on April 22nd, Muslims throughout the United States and the rest of the world will begin to search the sky for the new crescent, or in some cases, they will follow a pre-determined date based on astronomical calculation. During this month, Muslims fast from pre-dawn until sunset, as a means to grow in God-consciousness and moral excellence.
What is the Length and Purpose of Fasting?
Muslims fast from pre-dawn to sunset, a fast of between 11-16 hours depending on the time of year for a period of 29-30 days. The fasting of Ramadan entails foregoing food and drink, and if married, abstaining from sex during the fasting hours. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to train themselves both physically and spiritually by avoiding any negative acts such as gossiping, backbiting, lying or arguing. Muslims welcome Ramadan as an opportunity for self-reflection, and spiritual improvement.
The ultimate goal of fasting is gaining greater Taqwaa (righteousness, God-fearing), signifying a state of constant awareness of God. From this awareness a person should gain discipline, self-restraint and a greater incentive to do good and avoid wrong. In commemoration of the revelation of the Quran, which began during the month of Ramadan, Muslims attempt to read the entire book during Ramadan and gather nightly at mosques to hold special prayers during which the entire Quran is recited by the end of the month.
The ultimate goal of fasting is gaining greater Taqwaa (righteousness, God-fearing), signifying a state of constant awareness of God. From this awareness a person should gain discipline, self-restraint and a greater incentive to do good and avoid wrong. In commemoration of the revelation of the Quran, which began during the month of Ramadan, Muslims attempt to read the entire book during Ramadan and gather nightly at mosques to hold special prayers during which the entire Quran is recited by the end of the month.
The Essential Elements Of Fasting:
There are two essentials elements for your fast to be valid and accepted and they are:
1. Intention:
You must have the intention to fast before fajr (dawn) every night during the month of Ramadan. The intention does not need to be spoken, because in reality it is an act of the heart, which does not involve the tongue. It will be fulfilled by one’s intention from the heart to fast out of obedience to Allah (SWT) seeking His pleasure.
2. Abstaining from Acts that Nullify the Fasting:
The second essential element for your fast to be accepted is that you abstain from the acts that nullify the fast from dawn to sunset.