Q: What is the aim of Ramadan?
Ans: Muslims, during Ramadan, are meant to self reflect on their actions and show their love and devotion to Allah. It is also meant to establish equality. It is meant to result in spiritual purification, as well as physical. It helps in a renewed focus on spirituality.
Q: What makes Ramadan so special and unique from every other event in Islam?
Ans: Muslims cherish each and every important event as prescribed by Allah. It is true Ramadan is given special attention, as it is considered to be the holiest period in the Hijri Calender. It was said by the Holy Prophet that during Ramadan, the gates of Hell are closed and the gates of Heavens are open. Furthermore, every good deed done during Ramadan is given more weight than at any other time of the year.
Q: Is it mandatory for all Muslims to fast?
Ans: All Muslims who have hit puberty must fast. However, exceptions are made for pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, women who are menstruating, Muslims on medication, travelers, seniors who are unable to fast because of health reasons. However, it is required that once a person recovers from such temporary impediments, they should Qaza those Fasts, it matters not if they are kept in Ramadan.
Q: How did fasting become mandatory for Muslims?
Ans: Fasting became obligatory in 624 AD, the duty has been described in the Quran’s second chapter, verses 183 and 185; “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint… Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, 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…”
Q: What are the benefits of fasting?
Ans: There are many benefits, such as; physical and spiritual purification, self-restraint, increased compassion and love for one’s way of life, basic necessities. It brings all kinds of Muslims together; poor and rich, Sunni and Shia, family and friends, resulting in love and strengthening of relationships. Furthermore, Science shows fasting helps clean your body and boost your immune system.
Q: What acts that invalidate a fast?
Ans: First and foremost, having any form of nutrition invalidates a fast. Other acts are: having sexual intercourse, going insane, renouncing Islam, unconscious during the hours of the fast, menses, post-natal flow, giving birth, deliberate vomiting, drowsiness that affects one’s thinking ability.
Q: Why do the dates for Ramadan change every year?
Ans: Ramadan is a lunar month; it begins about eleven days earlier each year. Hence, Ramadan can occur during any of the seasons.
Q: Is water allowed during a fast?
Ans: No, water is not allowed. The purpose of fasting is for Muslims to put themselves in the place of the less fortunate and understand what they go through, hence resulting in them being compassionate about it.
Q: Is coffee, chewing gum, and cigarettes allowed during a fast?
Ans: No, any form of nutrition should be abstained from. And since, smoking is considered to be a form of intoxication and generally not allowed in Islam, it is required that there should be no smoking
Q: Can Muslims fast with few breaks in between during the whole month of Ramadan?
Ans: No, Muslims must consecutively fast for a whole month, that may be 29 days or 30 days depending on the appearance of the moon. This helps in discipline and dedication. If a Muslim is going to skip a fast, they must have a reasonable excuse.
Q: What are the normal practices and routines of Muslims during Ramadan?
Ans: To keep themselves nourished for the day, Muslims wake up before dawn / Fajar Salah and have a small meal called, Sehri. Then, throughout the whole day, Muslims go about their normal routines such as; going to school or college, going to work, doing chores. And at the same time, they abstain any form of nutrition like eating and drinking, they also abstain from sensual pleasures, and try to observe the basic practices of Islam, like praying the five prayers, not cursing, not listening to music, reading the Quran, helping others, reflecting and assessing their way of life, asking for forgiveness from Allah, giving charity and Zakat.
At sunset, Muslims break their fast with family and friends. Later at night, Muslims pray the Taraweeh at night, which are special prayers for Ramadan, while also praying the Isha Salah.
Q: Does donating blood break a fast?
Ans: Donating blood, in general, is allowed. However, for the health of those who are fasting, it is recommended that the blood should be donated in moderate quantities.
Q: How can Muslims compensate for a fast that has not been fulfilled in Ramadan?
Ans: Compensation for the obligatory fast can be done in mainly three ways and it depends upon the cause for the un-fulfillment of that fast: Having the obligation to make up for the days missed, Making up the days missed and paying fidyah, having no obligation to make up for the days missed but must pay fidyah.
Q: Are there significant days relating to Ramadan?
Ans: There are 2 main events; Laylat al Qadr and Eid ul Fitr.
Laylat al Qadr, translated into the “Night of Power,”. On these days, the Holy Prophet received the first revelation of the Holy Quran. It’s celebrated on an odd numbered day in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan.