The Fasting

Fasting (Sawm) the fourth Pillar of Islam is another Ibadah. All adult Muslim must fast from dawn to sunset every day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. This means abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking and conjugal-relations during the hours of Fasting. Travelers and the Sick can defer fasting during Ramadan and make up for it later.

On the spiritual and moral level, Fasting means struggling to develop self-restraint, God-consciousness and piety. Muslim strive in Ramadan to curb all detrimental desires and negative or uncharitable thoughts, and to Nurture love, patience, unselfishness and social consciousness. Here is an explaination of the spritual meaning of the Islamic Fasting:

It teaches man the principle of sincere love; because when he observes the Fasting he does it out of deep love for God. And the man who loves God truly is a man who really knows what love is.

It equips man with a creative sense of hope and an optimistic outlook on life; because when he fasts he hopes to please God and to see His Grace.

It imbues man with a genuine virtue of effective devotion, honest dedication and closeness to God; because when he fasts he does so for God and for His sake alone.

It cultivates in man a sound conscience, because the fasting person keeps his fast in secret as well as in public. In fasting, especially, there is no wordly authority to check man’s behaviour or compel him to observe the Fasting. He keeps it to please God ad satisfy his own conscience by being faithful in secret and in public.

It teaches man patience and unselfishness; because when he fasts he feels the pains of deprivation but endures patiently. Truly this deprivation may be only temporary, yet there is no doubt that the experience makes him realize the severe effects of such pains on others, who might be deprived of essential commodities for days or weeks or probably months together.

What lessons do we get from the Fasting?

Fasting develops self-control and helps us to overcome selfishness, greed, laziness and other faults. It helps us to remain truly obedient to Allah’s commands. That is why the Qur’an says:

“O, you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you are expected to be truly obedient.” (Baqara 2: 183)

The Month of Ramadan is a month of forgiveness and mercy.

What is Tarawih?

An additional prayer known as Tarawih is offered during Ramadan after “Isha” (20 Rikats) or (8 Rikats). This is a Sunnah-Prayer in which efforts are made to recite as much of the Qur’an as possible. In Many mosques, the Qur’an wholy is recited in Tarawih-Prayer. This Prayer is generally offered in congregation. Those who can not join a congregation can offer Tarawih at home. A pre-dawn meal known as Sahur is, also, taken in Ramadan.

What is the Eid al-Fitr?

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, A day of thanks giving and happiness. It is one of the great occasions for the Muslim Community. On this day Muslims offer special prayers in congregation and thank Allah for His Blessings and Mercy.