الداعية للخير
داعية نشيط
عدد المساهمات : 543
تاريخ التسجيل : 30/12/2009
العمر : 34
الموقع : yahoo.com
 | موضوع: Ramadan,Ramazan,رمضان,Ramadhaan  الخميس يونيو 12, 2014 7:59 pm | |
| What is Ramadan?.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the month of fasting for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam; the others are confession of faith, five daily prayers, Zakah (almsgiving) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mekka).
Ramadan starts upon the sighting of the moon, which is largely determined by the Crescent Committee of Canada.
Why Muslims Fast?.
Fasting in Ramadan is a main pillar of Islam that helps Muslim grow closer to the One God, Allah. According to the Qur’an “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -" ( 2:183)
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it" ( 2:185)
Fasting, which is recognized for its health, spiritual and psychological benefits, is considered by Muslims as a means to improve their moral characters and provides an opportunity for a spiritual renewal.
Purpose of Fasting
The real purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty, or to deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences but to be conscious of Allah. It is to do one's best to live by His commands and to avoid His prohibitions, fear of Allah, worship of Allah, sincerity in faith, and avoid the disobedience to Allah. Fasting is an invisible act. Only Allah and the person who is fasting know whether he or she is fasting or not. Fasting teaches how to control and discipline our desires. During fasting we learn how to say "no" to things that are otherwise permissible and good, but are forbidden during fasting. When one learns how to say "no" to that which is generally permissible, then one can easily control oneself to avoid that which is forbidden. Through fasting we taste—to some extent—the pain and suffering of those who are poor and destitute. Fasting teaches empathy and sympathy, and it takes away some of our selfishness and self-centeredness.
How Muslims Fast?.
Muslims fast from early dawn to sunset every day throughout the month (approximately 14 hours a day). The fast requires Muslims to abstain from food, drink, marital relations and ill-conduct during the fast.
Who Fasts?.
Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory on all physically and mentally healthy and mature Muslims. Those exempted from fasting are the sick, old, pregnant and menstruating women and travellers. Pregnant and menstruating women and travellers make up the missed days by fasting at a later time.
Typical day during the Month
The day of fasting begins with an early morning meal before dawn and ends at sunset. The evening activities include the traditional breaking of the fast usually with dates and water, the sunset prayer followed by dinner (IFTAR). Muslims would then go to the mosque for congregational prayers in which at least one-thirtieth of the Qur’an is recited. The congregation would have listened to the recitation of the complete Qur’an by the end of the month.
The effects of fasting on Muslims
The effects of fasting are many. What is perceived as a loss by some, is a real gain for our soul and its growth. We have the chance to focus on our "real self," our soul and its nourish-ment. Our body’s needs turn into re-minders of God and the growth of our soul. We grow more alert to our pro-visions and their source. And through God’s mercy, He weaves reminders of Zakat for the poor. And we know hunger and thirst as the poor often do, to better understand why Zakat is so important. And each Salat prayer brings us closer to the day’s end and provisions. More reminders. We come to understand the words "steadfast" and "patience" more specifically, as the days of fasting proceed and we refrain from suspicion, anger and bad thoughts. Verse 33:35 takes on new meaning, "Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.
All of these activities and thoughts are opportunities to remember God alone, from whom all things come. As we reflect on God’s creation, we might notice that even the animals, plants, and mountains, who did not accept the responsibility of "freedom of choice," are not exempt from fasting. There is no place on earth that does not experience drought at one time or another. The consequences of a severe lack of water include a reduction in all other provisions as well. And since these other creatures endure much longer that the human lifetime, they endure periodic fasting much longer than we. Yet, heaven is assured for each of these creatures. And by God’s design, where life seems to disappear with the lack of water and the suste-nance which come from it, life springs back repeatedly once water is received.
Our lifetime is so brief compared to eternity. We are deprived of nothing during this brief period, including re-peated, individualized messages of God alone. Twenty-four hour God-consciousness is our goal. It is that which we strive toward, with stead-fastness and patience. We know that "God never burdens any soul beyond its means ..." (2:286) and that fasting is not an ordeal but rather a great op-portunity to run, not walk, along God’s path. How awesome is God. He takes His creation with all its limits and uses it to remind individually and constantly that He alone is our Lord and Master. Given our previous be-havior, God is merciful beyond our wildest dreams, and provides us with a gift of remembrance that can only lead us closer to Him for all eternity.
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