Quran Verses About Ramadan

What Does the Holy Quran Say About Fasting?

Every year during Ramadan, Muslims all around the world embark on fasting. What exactly does the Holy Quran say about fasting? Let us examine the few Quranic verses on fasting.

Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:183

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,

Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:184

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.

Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:185

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:187

Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them, and seek what Allah Hath ordained for you, and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast Till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are Limits (set by) Allah. Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His Signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint.

Surah Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:196

And complete the Hajj or 'umra in the service of Allah. But if ye are prevented (From completing it), send an offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp, (Necessitating shaving), (He should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when ye are in peaceful conditions (again), if any one wishes to continue the 'umra on to the hajj, He must make an offering, such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, He should fast three days during the hajj and seven days on his return, Making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in (the precincts of) the Sacred Mosque. And fear Allah, and know that Allah Is strict in punishment.

Ramadan Checklist

We have created a simple Ramadan checklist with some important reminders for all of you to read.

But before we get into that, let's recall in brief what fasting entails from a physical aspect.

DEFINITION OF FASTING

Linguistically, fasting (sawm) means to refrain from something and in the usage of the Shari’ah it means to abstain from eating, drinking and conjugal relations from dawn to sunset with the [required] intention.

The time of fasting is from the beginning of dawn (i.e. Fajr) until sunset (i.e.
Maghrib). In countries where the [length of the] day and night are the same or the
day is very long, Muslims should fast according to the times of the nearest country.

PILLAR OF FASTING

Hence fasting has two pillars:

1. INTENTION
One must make the intention to fast. The Messenger of Allah said: “Verily
actions are [judged] by intention.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

2. REFRAINING FROM THINGS WHICH BREAK THE FAST
This means to abstain from eating, drinking and conjugal relations from sunrise
to sunset.

Now that we know what is expected from us, from a physical aspect, when we fast, let us see what is expected from us from a spiritual aspect during Ramadan. For that, we look to Muslim scholars, who explain what is the spiritual purposes of fasting.

On the purpose of fasting, Imam Al‐Ghazali writes:

"The purpose of fasting is that man should produce within him a semblance of the Divine attribute of Samadiyat (i.e. freedom from want), that he should, as far as possible, take after the angels and cast off the beastly propensities because the angels are free from desires and the place of man, too, is above the animals and he has been given the power of discrimination to resist the pressure of inordinate appetites. He is of course, inferior to angels in the sense that desire often overpowers him and he has to strive hard to subdue it. When he succumbs to sensual propensities he degenerates into the lowliest of lowly and joins the herds of cards while he conquers them he attains the dizzy heights of the heavenly host and begins to dwell on the plane of the angels."

Similarly Imam Ibn Al‐Qayyim writes:

"The purpose of fasting is that the spirit of man be released from the clutches of desire and moderation prevail in his carnal self and through it, he can realize the goal of purification and everlasting felicity. It is aimed at curtailing the intensity of desire and lust by means of hunger and thirst, at inducing man to realize how many were there in the world like him who had to go even without a small quantity of food, at making it difficult for Satan to deceive him, and at restraining his organs from turning towards things in which there was the loss of both the worlds. Fasting is thus the bridle of the God‐fearing, the shield of the warriors and the discipline of the virtuous."

Now that we have that covered and have the main idea in mind, let's get to the Ramadan checklist!

Ramadan Checklist

1) Not much time left before the onset of Ramadan for this year, but do know that Sunnah fasts of Shaban (the month before Ramadan) helps to prepare for Ramadan and help to make the transition into the holy month a smooth one.

2) Reduce TV watching and prepare family for the new spirit of Ramadan.

3) Take your Quran out. If you have trouble reading the Quran in Arabic, no need to worry. There are several good online sites that have simultaneous Arabic recitation and English translations to help you. Narrow down the websites (or forms of text or audio) you will frequently use during Ramadan.

4) Buy all necessities for the month of Ramadan in advance so you can spend less time during the holy month rushing around. You can be more focused on your religious rituals and spiritual development. Everyone in the family, even the kids, can participate, writing a shopping list, preparing some meals to be stored in the freezer. Some of the essential Ramadan items you should consider are dates and honey - both are considered prophetic foods, and are beneficial for the health especially this month when fasting.

5) Making dua (supplication) to Allah is encouraged throughout our lives. But this is highly recommended during Ramadan because Allah will grant a fasting person his wishes, if what is asked for is good for him, and He deems it so. We can make our dua in any language. Seek out recommended duas, or list out your own. Try to make a dua before breaking the fast. The Prophet peace be upon him said, "The fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he breaks his fast".

Check out this innovative and inspirational video done by our brothers in Malaysia on making the most of Ramadan.

Ramadan Special - Only Valid for the Next 30 Days
You Up For It???

Why is Ramadan So Important to Muslims?

Why is Ramadan So Important to Muslims?

Allah has preferred certain months over others, certain days over others and certain nights over others.

Allah has preferred the day of Jumu’ah amongst all the other days of the week. Even at the level of a single night. Allah prefers certain parts of it to others. For example, the performance of nawafil ibadah (supererogatory worship) in the last third of the night is more beloved to Allah than its performance in any other parts of the night.

In a similar vein, Allah has preferred the month of Ramadan over all other months. It is only the name of this month that is mentioned in the Qur’an. It is only in this month that mankind has been blessed with most of the favours of Allah. It is in this month that the Torah, Injil, Zabur and the Qur’an were all revealed. It is the only month in which Allah has gathered goodness, light and guidance that stretches from one part of the globe to the other.

Abu Hurayrah narrates that the Messenger of Allah said: “The month of Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month wherein Allah has made obligatory fasting, opened the doors of Paradise and closed the doors of Hell.” (Ahmad)

SM Hasan al-Banna

What Have You Done to Prepare for Ramadan?

Ramadan will be here in four to five days! Take a step back from whatever it is you are rushing to do - yes, that includes the so-important work deadline, studying for an upcoming exam, meeting your friends for an outing, shopping, watching tv and whatever else it may be that needs your attention.

Ramadan comes by only once in a year. Our worldly pursuits are just that - worldly. Some of these pursuits are indeed worthwhile - for instance, working hard, or studying to achieve one's optimum potential in this life. But these endeavors will be so much easier for us if we devote as much time to increasing our worship of our Creator, if only we would realize!

So don't use the lack of time as an excuse not to increase our acts of worship http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifduring Ramadan. Preparing for Ramadan before it begins is a good way to ensure that you will have a productive month, and that you will reap in all of this holy month's benefits.

We have compiled a list of articles within this blog that can help you prepare for Ramadan. Please take the time to read through them.

You have four to five days left - Come on, you can DO IT!

Ramadan Mubarak.

1) To get you started, peruse through these Basic Facts on Ramadan. Even if you are a born-Muslim, and think you know everything there is to know about your own religion, reading these simple facts will put you in a right frame of mind to receive the messages in the articles.

2) Have you ever asked yourself what was the reason why Muslims fast? Fasting is not a religious tradition invented by Muslims, nor is it a practice conducted solely by Muslims. Fasting has been a religious tradition in the prophetic traditions of Judaism and Christianity too. Fasting is supposed to bring one closer to God. Read this wonderful article on the philosophy behind fasting.

3) We are all very busy in our lives with many responsibilities to meet. We go to school, study, work, take care of the home and the family. While we desire to set time aside to prepare for Ramadan, it is often easier said than done. This article sets out tips to help you do just that and to overcome the lack of time complaint.

4) It is said that the month before Ramadan, that is, the month of Sha'ban, is a very important month. It is recommended that we begin preparing for Ramadan during the month of Sha'ban. It would not be good to enter Ramadan without preparations - we would be unduly tired, irritable from the lack of food, water and even sleep. Typically, takes a few days to adjust to the new routine. But with adequate preparation, we will not suffer, and instead able to enjoy the full benefit of Ramadan. This article shows you how to get prepared.

Fasting During the Summer in Ramadan

Fasting During the Summer in Ramadan

This Ramadan in North America and Europe, Muslims will begin fasting during the summer. In some places, like Sweden, daylight hours are long, with the breaking of fast at 9.15 pm. Muslims in the North American East Coast cities like Boston will break their fast at about 8 pm.

The long hours coupled with the heatwave that is being experienced by many North American cities, will mean a tough Ramadan for many Muslims.

Below is one journalist's take on fasting during the summer this Ramadan. Please pay attention to some of the tips given in the article below.

For more tips on, please refer to the compiled list of articles.

Remember that eating healthy during Ramadan will give us the necessary energy to embark on our increased religious obligations during this holy month.

US Muslims Prepare for Summertime Ramadan Fasting
RASHA MADKOUR, Associated Press
12:04 p.m., Monday, July 25, 2011

MIAMI (AP) — The Muslim holy month of Ramadan falls during the long, hot days of August this year, and Muslim Americans are getting ready to accommodate the daylight fasts required during Ramadan with adjustments in their schedules and eating habits. It can be even tougher for Muslims in America than for their counterparts in majority-Muslim countries, where business slows down during Ramadan and people take it easier during the day, says Dr. Elizabeth Rourke, an internist at Boston Medical Center.

"In the U.S., everyone is required to do what they would do ordinarily, the entire month," Rourke says, "so it makes the fast much more demanding for American Muslims."

Mubarakah Ibrahim, a personal trainer, hopes to cram all her clients in the morning when she has the most energy. She'll serve vegetables as the first course when her family breaks their fast in the evenings to make sure they get their nutrients for the day. And she'll buy her four kids — ranging in age from 10 to17 — shiny new water bottles as a reminder to hydrate during the hours they're not fasting.

"We know spirituality can get you through anything," says Ibrahim, who lives in New Haven, Conn. "But the choice really is, you can suffer through it and still do it, or you can do it and do it efficiently without making your health suffer."

Ramadan requires daily fasts of food and water during daytime hours. Typically observers eat a meal before dawn and break their fast at sunset. The fast-breaking meal — which varies by ethnic group but traditionally starts with a handful of sweet dates — is seen by many Muslims as an opportunity to gather with family and friends.

This year Ramadan begins Aug. 1, when the period from dawn to sunset in the continental U.S. can range from around 14 to around 16 hours, depending where you live. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, which is shorter than the sun-based Gregorian calendar, so Ramadan creeps up 11 days every year. Ramadan can last 29 or 30 days, again depending on the lunar cycle.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the most important duties in Islam, one that even the not-so-religious typically observe. Children are not required to fast until they hit puberty, though many start building up to it when they're younger with half-day fasts. Also exempt are the elderly, women who are pregnant or nursing, and people with chronic medical conditions. But even for healthy Muslims, the daily fast from dawn until sunset can be grueling.

Rourke teaches medical residents about Ramadan and its implications for patients — how to adjust medication regimens to fit the daytime fast when possible, how to advise patients on avoiding dehydration, how to enlist help from a local religious leader if someone who shouldn't be fasting expresses the intention to do so.

Even for a totally healthy person to sustain that fast for a long period of time during a time where it can be very hot, it's a very demanding thing to ask of your body," Rourke says.

Sheikh Ali, a college student from Boca Raton, Fla., tries to ease his body into Ramadan mode by fasting intermittently the prior month, a practice of the Prophet Muhammad that some people emulate.

The premed chemistry major also extols the benefits of eating a high-fiber breakfast, like whole grain cereal, especially in the pre-dawn meal before fasting to help keep him feeling full.

Still, many Muslims say they won't do much differently this year and they're not too worried about the summer Ramadan.

"Once you've done it for this long," says Natasha Chida, a medical resident at the University of Miami who's been fasting since she was in middle school, "it's not really something that's physically difficult, it's just about continuing to learn self-restraint."

Beyond abstaining from food and drink, Muslims try to avoid negative words, thoughts and actions while fasting. Ramadan is seen as an opportunity to improve oneself, spiritually and personally.

Rizwan Jaka, a technology manager in Washington, D.C., puts the fast in perspective by reflecting on and empathizing with those in need, one of the main purposes of fasting.

"In the end, we have to realize that people go without food and water on a regular basis," Jaka says. Whatever hardships people feel during their fast, he adds, "we've got it easy compared to people who don't have access to food and running water."

Healthy Eating Habits Tips
During Ramadan at the Ramadan Blog!

What to Eat During Ramadan?

How to Fast Healthily During Ramadan

What to Avoid During Ramadan

Dates | Beneficial Things to Eat During Ramadan

What To Eat During Ramadan?

One of the questions (albeit a practical or even prosaic question) that people want to know is what exactly should they eat during Ramadan? Are there special foods that need to be eaten before the start of the fast and at the end of the fast during Ramadan?

The answer is actually rather simple. There is no special diet that is necessary during Ramadan. What is important is to maintain a normal and healthy diet, and to eat in moderation. Avoid over-eating at the end of the fast at all costs. Over-eating is not a correct way to compensate for the lack of calories during fasting!

Did you know that the metabolic rate of the body is reduced during fasting and since most fasting people assume a more sedentary lifestyle during Ramadan, the net result is that a balanced diet, which consists less than the normal amount of food intake, is sufficient to keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadan.

Here are some useful tips compiled (by Lovely Ranganath, Dietician, Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah) that will help you in planning your Ramadan meals:

1) Think of vegetables as the main food. Treat meat, milk and grains as condiments. Start thinking of carrot sticks with hummus instead of pita bread. Don’t give up eating breads and meat, just de-emphasize them.

2) Drink lots of water. You should not ignore your water consumption. It seems obvious but drink lots of water between Iftar and sleep, to avoid dehydration. Drinking too much tea will increase urine output and inevitably cause the loss of valuable mineral salts. Avoid caffeinated drinks such as coke, coffee or tea four to five days before Ramadan, gradually reduce the intake of these drinks since a sudden decrease will result in headaches, mood swings and irritability.

3) Sample Meal Plans. Your meal plan should include:

Bread/ Cereal/ Rice, Pasta Group – 6-11 servings/ day

Meat/ Beans/ Nuts Group – 2-3 servings/ day

Milk & milk products – 2-3 servings/ day

Vegetable Group – 3-5 servings/ day

Fruit Group – 2-4 servings/ day

Added sugar & fat – use sparingly.

Breaking the fast (Iftar): 2-3 dates, a serving (4 oz) of unsweetened juice, a cup of light vegetable soup with some pasta or Graham crackers.

Note: The body’s immediate need at the time of iftar is to get an easily available energy source in the form of glucose. Dates and juices in the above amounts are sufficient to bring low blood glucose levels to normal levels. The juice and soup also helps to maintain water and mineral balance in the body. An unbalanced diet and too many servings of sherbets and sweets with added sugars have been found to be unhealthy.

Dinner: Consume foods from all the food groups. Include salads, chicken or fish or lean meat, some grain as rice or bread or pasta, a small tub of low-fat yogurt, and a serving of fruit.

Try out good healthy choices such as:

Whole-meal bread roll without butter (choose herbs instead), filled with egg and tomato, chicken and salads, low fat cheese and salad, or tuna with cucumber and tomato; Whole meal pasta with tomato based sauce with a large salad; Salad with grilled / baked fish or chicken or lean meat along with a small portion of rice or wholemeal bread; Baked potato with tuna or low-fat cottage cheese.

Pre-dawn Meal (Suhur): Consume a light suhur. Eat whole wheat or oat cereal or whole wheat bread. Have a salad along with 1-2 servings of fruit. In view of the long hours of fasting, the so-called “complex carbohydrates” or slow digesting foods should be consumed at suhur, resulting in less hunger during the day. These complex carbohydrates are found in foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour and unpolished rice.

4) Golden rules to follow during Ramadan. Avoid too much fat, sugar, salts and caffeine; Always have fresh food available; Stick to a low-fat diet; Cut out fried foods; Choose fresh fruits and vegetables when possible.

Suggested Good Foods to Take During Ramadan:

Dates | Beneficial Things to Eat During Ramadan

Honey | Beneficial Things to Eat During Ramadan

When Does Ramadan Begin in 2011?

When Does Ramadan Begin in 2011?

It is estimated that Ramadan will start on July 31, 2011 for most of North America, South America, Northwest Europe. This is subject to the first visual sighting of the lunar crescent.

For South-east Europe, Turkey, Middle East, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Australia it is estimated that Ramadan will start on August 1, 2011.

Please refer to this link for an explanation of visual sighting of the lunar crescent to determine Ramadan start date.

Recommended: Articles on Preparing for Ramadan

Basic Facts on Ramadan

Setting Goals and Planning

The Importance of the Month of Shaban

Fasting During Shaban

Video Series 1: Preparing for Ramadan

Video Series 2: Preparing for Ramadan
Advice from Sheikh Hamza Yusuf