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Elementary Guide to Ramadan 2015

Learn about the significance of Ramadan, the rules of fasting, the etiquettes to observe, and the importance of Tarawih prayer. Discover who should fast and the concept of Fidya (expiation) for those who cannot. Explore the benefits of eating Sehri (pre-dawn meal) and the lunar calendar's impact on the month of fasting.

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Elementary Guide to Ramadan 2015

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  1. Elementary Guide to Ramadan 2015

  2. The Holy Qur`an on Fasting • “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” • [2:184]

  3. The Month of Fasting • One full month of fasting is prescribed every year for Muslims all over the world • Based on lunar calendar; dates of Ramadan change by ten days on solar calendar each year • This creates universal balance for worshippers around the world: fasting in winter months is easier as days are shorter, while during the summer months the days and fasts are longer • As the lunar months keep rotating around the year, Muslims in all parts of the world experience easier as well as more arduous fasting • Source: Elementary Study of Islam by Khalifatul Masih IV (rh)

  4. Etiquettes of Fasting • Day of fasting begins at the first appearance of dawn, and ends with sunset • During this period, Muslims are to abstain from all food and drink completely • Also abstain from vain talk, quarrelling, intimate relations, or anything that is below the dignity of a true believer • It is not just physical hunger and thirst that constitutes the Muslim fast; the nights also play a key role • Muslims wake up much before dawn for individual prayer, reflection, and remembrance of God. • The Holy Qur`an should be recited much more this month than in other months • Source: Elementary Study of Islam by Khalifatul Masih IV (rh)

  5. Who Should Fast? • Fasting is obligatory on every adult who is healthy and able to fast without any difficulty. “In my opinion, the command for fasting is from 15-18 years of age because this is the age of puberty or maturity. One should practice at the age of 15 and make it mandatory at the age of 18. When we were kids, we used to want to fast, but the Promised Messiah (as) would stop us. For a child’s health and strength you should stop them from fasting. When they are 15 they should slowly begin fasting and increase gradually.” -Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), Al-Fazl, April 11, 1925

  6. What is Fidya (Expiation)? • “The prescribed fasting is for a fixed number of days, but whoso among you is sick or is on a journey shall fast the same number of other days; and for those who are able to fast only with great difficulty is an expiation (the feeding of a poor man). And whoso performs a good work with willing obedience, it is better for him. And fasting is good for you, if you only knew.” • (2:185)

  7. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) on Fidya • “If one cannot fast due to some reason, he should try to feed one person. If he cannot do that, then the intention is enough. Whether he gave Fidya or not, he must complete the fast later, if he has the power to do so, because Fidya is due to not being able fast with everyone during the month. If one cannot fast then Fidya is in exchange for that. If one fasts and gives Fidya, he gets more reward. There are 2 types of excuses: temporary and permanent. He should give Fidya for both situations. When the excuse is no longer valid, he should complete the fasts. If the sickness or excuse is temporary and then later he decides to complete the fast but has fallen permanently ill, Fidya is sufficient.” • -Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), Al-Fazl, August 10, 1945

  8. Promised Messiah (as) on Fidya: • “Fidya gives one the ability to fast. One should ask Allah for everything. If one cannot fast, he should pray that I am being deprived of blessings and I might not have the opportunity again to fast or to complete the missed fasts, so give me the strength. If one truly desires to fast and feels pain for not doing so, and he cannot fast, angels will fast for him and he will not be deprived of the reward. If one makes excuses and does not feel sorry that he cannot fast and only cares about his health, he will not get any reward. If one has the intention and pain in his heart, he can get more reward than the original reward.” (Fiqah Ahmadiyya, p. 175) • “Those who are permanently sick, traveling, or mothers who know that they will not be able to fast, either because of being old or due to breast-feeding, they should not fast and should give Fidya. However, It is not proper that if one is able to fast, he only gives Fidya and does not fast at all.” (Fiqah Ahmadiyya, p. 183)

  9. Tarawih Prayer • Tarawih prayers are offered in sets of 2 Rak`aat, for a total of 8 Rak`aat in congregation after Isha Prayer in Ramadan • Tarawih prayers gives people who may not be able to wake up for Tahajjud (early morning prayer) a chance to perform additional Nawaafil (supererogatory) prayers • Tarawih prayer does not replace Tahajjud prayer; there are more blessings attached to Tahajjud prayers • One may offer both Tarawih and offer Tahujjad prayers in one day • For more information: alislam.org/v/1605.html, Question #7, at 43:20

  10. Eating Sehri • “Eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night).” (2:188) • “Eat Sehri, for there are blessings in eating Sehri.” • (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Fasting) • The word ‘sehri’ is derived from the word ‘suhoor’, which is an Arabic word meaning ‘to eat a meal early in the morning’ • Any food can be eaten at sehri Muslims eat sehri early in the morning before offering their Fajr Salat and then state saying their intention to fast until sunset: “I intend to fast this day in month of Ramadan”

  11. Recitation of Holy Qur`an “Observe Prayer at the declining and paling of the sun on to the darkness of the night, and the recitation of the Qur`an in Prayer at dawn. Verily, the recitation of the Qur`an at dawn is especially acceptable to God.” (17:79)

  12. Holy Qur`an in Ramadan • In Ramadan, the Archangel Gabriel used to revise the Qur`an with the Holy Prophet (sa) • It is thus customary that every Muslim try to complete at least one reading of the entire Holy Qur`an in Ramadan • There are 30 parts of the Holy Qur`an; one part can be recited on each day of Ramadan • Recitation of the Qur`an after Fajr prayer has most blessings, as mentioned in verse from Holy Qur`an on previous slide • Aside from recitation in Arabic, special focus should be put on understanding the translation and commentary of Qur`an is as well • Dars-e-Qur`an is attended by Muslims in mornings and evenings before breaking of fast at Mosque; given by learned scholars

  13. Iftaar (Breaking of the Fast) • “People of faith! It is important to hasten breaking the fast as soon as the sun sets because this was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (sa) and his companions.” • "The prophet (sa) used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water.” • (Anas Ibn Malik, Ahmad and Abu Dawud)

  14. Iftaar • Since the Holy Prophet (sa) used to break his fasts with dates and water, Muslims also follow that tradition, and offer this prayer while breaking their fasts: • If dates are not available, Muslims can break their fast with whatever food is available • After breaking fast, Maghrib prayer is offered, and then a meal is eaten  “Oh Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with your sustenance.”

  15. Feeding Those Who Are Fasting • Believers should always strive to do righteous deeds to obtain rewards, such as feeding people who are fasting • Muslims try to hold Aftaar for other fasting Muslims at Mosques, host them in their homes, or provide food for the poor and needy to help them with their fasts “Whoever gives someone something to break the fast with, he would have the same blessings as the fasting person and this would not reduce the blessings of the fasting person in any way.” [Holy Prophet (sa), Tirmidhi]

  16. Last `Ashra (Ten Days) “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his belt and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.“ (Bukhari) • The last ten days of Ramadan are the most blessed days of Ramadan and very special for Muslims • Hazrat Aisha (ra) said that although the Holy Prophet (sa) was promised Paradise, he would exert himself in worship even more in last `Ashra • Source: alislam.org/friday-sermon/2010-08-27.html#summary- tab

  17. I`tikaaf • I`tikaaf, or a spiritual retreat, can be done during the last `Ashra • Holy Prophet (sa) used to perform I`tikaaf in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan, and would barely sleep • I`tikaaf requires total and utter devotion to Allah • The time is spent worshipping, performing nawafil prayers, reciting the Holy Qur`an, performing Zikr (remembrance of Allah), and other supplication • One should leave behind all cares of the world, and eat and sleep in the mosque • Those who cannot perform I`tikaaf for ten days can devote themselves for however long is possible for them

  18. Laila-tul-Qadr (The Night of Destiny) • In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful • Surely, We sent it down on the Night of Destiny. • And what should make thee know what the Night of Destiny is? • The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months. • Therein descend angels and the Spirit with their Lord’s decree concerning everything. • Peace, so will it be even at the rising of the dawn.  • (97:1-6)

  19. The Holy Prophet (sa) on Laila-tul-Qadr “The Holy Prophet (sa) made special effort during the last ten days of Ramadan and strove hard in worship of God. He would stay up at night and wake his family up. Not only did he increase his own worship in these days, he could not tolerate that his family should be deprived of the immense blessings of God’s Grace in the last ten days. Even the duration of his worship during ordinary times as well as its beauty cannot be assessed, let alone the state of his worship in the last ten days; it is beyond our imagination. Thus was the model he established for us. May God enable us to create such an environment in our homes to facilitate our forgiveness.” -Khalifatul Masih V (atba), August 27, 2010 • Source: alislam.org/ramadhan/Laylatul-Qadr.pdf

  20. Farewell Friday,The Last Friday of Ramadan • The concept of the Farewell Friday is something Muslims or the religious scholars have concocted through their own incorrect interpretations. • -Hazrat Khalifatul V (atba), Friday Sermon, July 25, 2014

  21. Sighting of New Moon • Many Muslim communities make a calendar predicting the dates of Islamic months (like Ramadan and DhulHijja) based on scientific predictions of when the moon/crescent should be visible • The actual start and end of the month of Ramadan is, just like every other month on the Islamic calendar, based upon the sighting of the moon • The Islamic new moon, which is when the moon is first visible, is different from the astronomical new moon • The astronomical new moon is when conjunction occurs, and the moon is dark; the age of the moon starts from this point • The Islamic new moon is when that first little sliver of the moon (the crescent or "hilal") is first visible. That night starts a new Islamic month, and the following day would be considered the first day of the new Islamic month • Source: http://www.alislam.org/eid/moon.htmlhttp://www.alislam.org/v/1603.html

  22. Eid-ul-Fitr • Eid is an Arabic word which means “ a day which returns often” • After completing 30 fasts during Ramadan, it is with a spirit of thanksgiving that Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated • Muslims all over the world offering prayers to Allah, and rejoice at the accomplishment of an act of dedication and submission to the Almighty • Muslims pay obeisance to their Lord in congregation, displaying the real spirit of brotherhood • New or clean clothes are worn and special food is eaten

  23. Eid-ul-Fitr • Tasbeeh (Zikr) should be recited on the way to the mosque until Eid prayers begin • After offering Eid prayers in congregation and listening to the Eid sermon, Muslims embrace one other and wish each other “Eid Mubarik” (happy Eid) Tasbeeh: Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar  Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest La ilaa ha ill lallah There is no God but Allah Wa-Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar And Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest Wa-lillah-il-hamd And all praise is for Allah

  24. For Further Learning: • www.alislam.org/ramadhan • www.alislam.org/v/7840.html • www.alislam.org/v/1605.html • www.alislam.org/v/1671.html • spiritualfitness.us/2014/05/30/ramadan/

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