‘Ramadan is worth more than a thousand months’

What is the importance of the month of Ramadan? Out of the 12 months in a year, the month of Ramadan is a very important one that contains the night of power (LailatulQadir), which is worth more than a thousand months.The first ten days of the month brings forgiveness, the second ten days contain benevolence. The […]

What is the importance of the month of Ramadan?
 Out of the 12 months in a year, the month of Ramadan is a very important one that contains the night of power (LailatulQadir), which is worth more than a thousand months.
The first ten days of the month brings forgiveness, the second ten days contain benevolence. The third ten or nine days bring freedom.
As one of the five pillars of Islam, the month of Ramadan is  a very important month in the life of a Muslim.
How is a Muslim supposed to observe the Ramadan fasting?
Once the Muslim leadership has announced the sighting of the moon, a Muslim is supposed to sleep with the intension of fasting the next day. The person should take his pre-down meal when the first prayer is called.  And stop eating and drinking by the time second dawn (subhi) prayer is called. While fasting, one is to avoid not only eating and drinking but intercourse with his/her spouse until sunset when the prayer is called for Magrib. Then you will eat.
You have to treat people well and avoid trouble. Even outside Ramadan, Islam doesn’t encourage crisis. In Islam if you prayed the night and come out to tell people about it, that has become a show off.
But here it is said that if somebody tries to be confrontational, you should tell him: I am fasting. What this is trying to teach us is that fasting is trying to ensure peace reigns. Islam doesn’t encourage violence, robbery or murder or to disturb somebody’s peace just because he doesn’t share your faith. This is not the teaching of Islam. So Ramadan is meant to encourage peaceful co-existence among people. That is why you are asked to hide all acts of worship, but allowed to declare that you are fasting to avoid fight.
At what age are children asked to start fasting?
 Fasting is only compulsory for sane adults. So, even if you are an adult, but have mental problem, fasting is not compulsory for you. Though you can start training your children by asking them to fast part of the day so that they will be used to fasting by the time they become adults.
At what point does somebody become an adult in Islam?
It is not about age.  A boy becomes an adult depending on the kind of diet he has. So also is a girl she can become adult early depending on the type of meal she eats.
What are the reasons why a Muslim can be exempted from fasting?
A Muslim can be exempted from fasting if he is travelling or sick, but fasting is better for him.  For a traveller whose journey is not too far, fasting is better.  The sickness must be so serious as to make fasting impossible. Sometimes, fasting makes people become healthier. There is a hadith that shows that. Even fasting helps one shed excess fat from body.
 Is there a penalty for not fasting?
 If one refuses to fast for no reason, he will have to make expiation for refusing to fast, he will observe a 60-day fast. For simply refusing to fast, there is need to preach to him to know the consequences of his action.
Is fasting only abstinence from food and drink?
You will notice that once fasting has started, you will avoid anything evil. Fasting makes people fear God better. Mosques become full during fasting. Women who were not wearing hijab will begin to wear it. It is a period when the satan himself is imprisoned. You will notice that even prostitutes and brothels will have fewer customers even though Islam and Christianity frown at adultery, prostitution and gambling. During such a fasting periods both Muslims and Christians who patronize such places will avoid them.
 Even if somebody is prone to violence, you notice that while fasting he will be calm. Because if you fight, bleed and swallow your blood, that spoilsyour fasting. You will see all good Muslims trying to get live by good etiquettes in the month.
What do you encourage Muslims to do in this month?
We should all be seeking forgiveness from God about the sins we have committed because of the things happening to us in this country are a result of the sins we committed. Then we should be praying to God for peace because nothing is possible without peace.