The nafs is the part of a person's brain that drives them to act on their animalistic desires. Controlling and overcoming these cravings is the responsibility of each individual. Physical accommodations, like as food and drink, are a source of power for the nafs, according to Imam Ghazali. The logical conclusion is that denying the physical body of food and water weakens the nafs, reducing its power to tempt the individual to evil and sin.
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Because good deeds improve one's spirituality and bring them closer to Allah (SWT), it's logical that fasting has spiritual benefits, especially in terms of reducing one's potential to sin.
What is the spiritual significance of Ramadan?
For Muslims, Ramadan is a month of spiritual cleaning and purification during which we aim to improve our worship, good deeds, and charitable acts. The last ten days and nights are especially significant because Allah is merciful to His creation.
What are the advantages of Ramadan?
For starters, there's some evidence that fasting can lower “bad” cholesterol levels in the bloodstream while increasing “good” cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease.
According to Amanda Salis, professor of obesity research at the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, it can also help patients lose weight.
“According to studies, Ramadan causes people to lose weight. Many clinical trials have demonstrated that patients can reduce weight without any intervention “she explains.
Her University of Sydney colleagues recently investigated whether the weight loss was related to a reduction in muscle mass or fat.
Why is Ramadan important 3 reasons?
Ramadan is a month of spiritual meditation, personal growth, and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to devote greater time and effort to following Islam's teachings. The Sawm (dawn-to-sunset fast) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking, as well as sexual relations and sinful speech and behavior. Fasting is thought to redirect the heart away from materialistic pursuits, with the goal of purifying the soul by removing harmful impurities. Ramadan, Muslims believe, teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, encouraging acts of generosity and mandated charity (zakat).
Fasting, according to Muslims, helps to create compassion for the poor who are food insecure. Prophet Moohamd was visited by Allah Kabir, who showed him Jannat. And there is no proof in any religion's scripture that fasting has spiritual benefits.
Travel, menstruation, serious illness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding are all exceptions to fasting. Despite the fact that it is not encouraged by hadith, many Muslims with medical issues insist on fasting to meet their spiritual demands. Those who are unable to fast are required to make up the days missed later.
How does Ramadan bring you closer to God?
Ramadan draws us closer to the Quran, which leads to a closer relationship with our Creator. The faithful are required to spend as much time as possible reciting the Holy Quran while fasting throughout the day and reading and listening to the Holy Quran during Tarawieh prayers at night.
What are the basic requirements in fasting during Ramadan?
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins on Monday, April 12, and most of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims will follow it in some way, despite a global pandemic.
Which means there's a strong possibility you'll run across someone a friend, coworker, neighbor, or your child's teacher who will be celebrating, fasting, and participating in a variety of other holy-month-specific activities.
But what precisely is Ramadan? What exactly is the point of fasting? Is there anything particular you should do or say during Ramadan when you're with Muslim friends and acquaintances?
Don't worry, we've thought of everything: Here are the most basic Ramadan answers to some of the most basic queries.
What is Ramadan actually about?
For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year; the Prophet Mohammed is supposed to have remarked, “When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of heaven open, the gates of hell close, and the demons are chained.”
On a night known as “The Night of Power,” Muslims believe God revealed the first words of the Quran, Islam's sacred text, to Mohammed during this month (or Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic).
Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan. It's supposed to be a period of spiritual discipline, with greater prayer, increased compassion and giving, and serious study of the Quran.
But, if that makes it sound overly serious and tedious, it isn't. It's a time for joy and celebration, to be shared with loved ones. Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, is a large three-day celebration at the end of Ramadan.
It's similar to the Muslim version of Christmas in that it's a religious holiday during which everyone gathers for large meals with family and friends, exchanges gifts, and generally enjoys themselves.
Of course, given the constraints on travel and the need to keep social distance and avoid large, indoor gatherings, the Covid-19 outbreak has made many of the more social components of Ramadan a lot more difficult to accomplish safely. However, Muslim community leaders are aware of this and have issued thorough instructions on how to spend a happy and successful Ramadan while being secure.
How does fasting work?
Fasting during Ramadan is one of Islam's five pillars or obligations alongside religious testimony, prayer, charity giving, and pilgrimage to Mecca. Every year, all Muslims are obligated to participate, with exceptions for those who are ill, pregnant or breastfeeding, menstruation, or traveling, as well as young children and the elderly.
Fasting serves several spiritual and social purposes: it reminds you of your human frailty and reliance on God for sustenance, it shows you what it's like to be hungry and thirsty so you feel compassion for (and a responsibility to help) the poor and needy, and it reduces life's distractions so you can focus more clearly on your relationship with God.
From sunrise to sunset, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in any sexual activity. This includes taking prescription drugs (even if you swallow a pill dry, without drinking any water). Gum chewing is also forbidden (though I didn't realize this until halfway through my first Ramadan after converting – oops).
If you do any of those things, your fast for the day is “invalidated,” and you must start over the next day. You can either fast later in the year (all at once or a day here and there) or offer a meal to a needy person for each day you missed to make up for the days you didn't fast.
During the month, Muslims are also expected to avoid bad thoughts and feelings like as jealously and rage, as well as minor offenses such as swearing, whining, and gossiping. Some people may choose to refrain from or limit activities like as listening to music or watching television in favor of listening to Quran recitations.
What is a typical day like during Ramadan?
Muslims fast during Ramadan, rising early to eat the first meal of the day, which must continue until sunset. This entails consuming a lot of high-protein foods and drinking as much water as possible until morning, when you are not allowed to eat or drink anything.
The morning prayer is said first thing in the morning. Because it's still early in the morning, many people go back to sleep for a while before getting ready for the day (I certainly do).
Muslims are not supposed to skip work, school, or any other daily obligations merely because they are fasting. Businesses and schools in many Muslim nations, on the other hand, may limit or close their hours during the day. Muslims, for the most part, go about their everyday lives as we would, despite not being able to eat or drink anything for the entire day.
We break the day's fast with a light meal really more of a snack called an iftar (meaning “breakfast”) before conducting the evening prayer when the evening call to prayer is finally made (or when the alarm on your phone's Muslim prayer app goes off). Many people also go to the mosque in the evening for the evening prayer, which is followed by a special Ramadan prayer.
This is frequently followed by a larger supper later in the evening, which is often eaten with family and friends throughout the month in each other's homes. Then it's time to go to bed for a few hours before waking up and starting all over again.
(Note: There are valid reasons for breaking your fast with a little snack before completing evening prayer and then eating a larger meal later.) Muslim prayers necessitate a lot of movement, such as bending over, prostrating on the ground, and standing up. It's a formula for disaster to do all that physical exercise on a full stomach after not eating for 15 hours. Just take my word for it.)
Despite the difficulty of fasting for a month, most Muslims (like myself) look forward to Ramadan and are disappointed when it ends. There's something unique about knowing that tens of millions of other Muslims throughout the world are going through the same hunger pangs, parched mouth, and dizzy spells you are, and that we're all in this together.
So do you lose weight during Ramadan?
Some of you might be thinking to yourself, “Wow, that sounds like a fantastic approach to shed pounds! I'm going to give it a shot!” Ramadan, on the other hand, is infamous for causing weight gain. That's because eating substantial meals early in the morning and late at night, followed by a period of low activity bordering on lethargy, can mess with your metabolism.
However, if you're careful, you can avoid gaining weight and even drop a few pounds. According to a meta-analysis of scientific studies on the impact of Ramadan fasting on body weight, “Eight of the alterations that occurred during Ramadan were minor and were mostly reversed after Ramadan, returning to pre-Ramadan condition. Ramadan provides an opportunity to reduce weight, but permanent weight loss requires systematic and persistent lifestyle changes.”
So, just as with any other extreme diet plan, you may drop a few pounds, but you're unlikely to achieve big, long-term results unless you adopt “structured and persistent lifestyle alterations.”
Why do the dates of Ramadan change every year?
Muslims use a lunar calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon, and has 12 months that total up to around 354 days. That's 11 days less than the conventional Gregorian calendar's 365 days. As a result, the Islamic lunar calendar moves backward 11 days every year in comparison to the Gregorian calendar.
As a result, the starting day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, moves backward by approximately 11 days every year.
This has a significant impact on how individuals observe Ramadan year after year. It's much easier to fast during Ramadan in the winter because the days are shorter, so you don't have to fast as long, plus it's colder outside, so not being able to drink water all day isn't as bad because you're not sweating as much.
When Ramadan falls during the summer, though, fasting might be difficult. Summer temperatures in several Muslim nations in the Middle East and Africa can reach levels often reserved for the lowest depths of hell.
Fasting can extend up to 20 hours or more in the summer in several Northern European nations including Iceland, Norway, and Sweden (where Muslims do exist). (And the sun never sets in the summer in a few areas above the Arctic Circle.) Muslims can either fast with the closest Muslim country or with Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in these instances, according to Muslim religious authorities.)
Okay, but why is there always confusion every year about exactly what day Ramadan starts on?
There's a reason that “Ramadan start date” is one of the most frequently googled terms each year. This is due to the fact that Muslims all across the world are unsure when Ramadan will begin. If you Google it, you'll see that Google's answer includes a disclaimer that says “Dates may vary”:
That has something to do with the moon, as well as differences in science, history, and tradition, as well as some geopolitical rivalry.
The new moon marks the start of each new month in the Islamic calendar. The month of Ramadan thus begins on the new moon. Isn't it simple enough?
If it's been a while since you took astronomy in high school, here's a refresher on how the moon phases look:
Because astronomical calculations were not as precise in Mohammed's day, in sixth-century Arabia, people relied on what they could see with the naked eye.
Because the new moon isn't particularly visible in the night sky (as you can see above), Muslims have traditionally waited until the small sliver of crescent moon became visible before beginning to fast. There's also a proverb that you shouldn't start fasting until you see the crescent, which is credited to the Prophet Mohammed. (Some people believe this is why the crescent is the Islamic sign, but the crescent has been used as a symbol long before Islam.)
However, because of things like clouds or the difficulty of observing the moon in some regions, this method was a little clumsy, as different groups began their fasts on different days, even within the same country. Each neighborhood, village, or even mosque within the village may send its own person out to search for the crescent, with competing groups disputing whether the other person spotted it.
We no longer need to wait for someone to notice a little crescent in the sky since we have precise scientific equations that tell us exactly when the new moon begins. (In fact, “the requirement to establish the precise appearance of the hilalwas one of the inducements for Muslim academics to study astronomy,” according to the Oxford Dictionary of Islam.)
So, the issue has been resolved! Except that some Muslim scholars feel we should still wait until the small crescent moon is visible in the night sky, as Mohammed instructed, and as we've always done.
Others believe that Islam has a long history of reason, knowledge, and science, and that if Mohammed were alive today, he would prefer more exact scientific calculations to sending the mosque's best vision outdoors to look at the night sky.
To add to the hilarity, others say that the entire globe should simply obey Saudi Arabia's official moon-sighting laws, as the birthplace of Islam and the home of its holiest shrines.
But not everyone thinks that's such a good idea, particularly rival countries like Pakistan and Iran, who object to Saudi Arabia being treated as the ultimate authority on all matters relating to Islam.
As a result, Muslims all across the world get to enjoy the lovely madness of “moon-sighting fights” every year. It's such a common characteristic of Ramadan that it's become a meme:
Are there differences between how Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims observe Ramadan?
No, for the most part. During Ramadan, both Sunni and Shia Muslims fast. Sunnis break their daily fast at sunset, when the sun is no longer visible on the horizon (although there is still light in the sky), whilst Shia wait until the redness of the setting sun has entirely faded and the sky has become fully dark.
Sunnis do not observe an additional holiday during the month of Ramadan, which Shia do. Shia Muslims celebrate the martyrdom of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet Mohammed's cousin and son-in-law who was both the venerated fourth caliph of Sunni Islam and the first “valid” imam (leader) of Shia Islam, on three days the 19th, 20th, and 21st days of Ramadan.
Following Mohammed's death, severe civil warfare ensued over who should rule the Muslim community in his place. Ali was slain. While Ali was worshipping at a mosque in Kufa, Iraq, on the 19th day of Ramadan, an assassin from a group of rebels hostile to his leadership fatally attacked him with a poisoned sword. Ali passed away just two days later.
Ali is regarded as a pivotal figure in Shia Islam. His mausoleum in adjacent Najaf, Iraq, is Shia Islam's third holiest place, with millions of Shia pilgrims visiting each year. Despite the fact that Sunnis regard Ali as one of the four “rightly guided” caliphs who governed following Mohammed's death, they do not remember his death or visit his tomb.
What can I do to be respectful of my Muslim friends during Ramadan?
Even if you are not a Muslim, eating and drinking in public during the month of Ramadan is illegal in some Muslim nations.
Of course, this is not the case in the United States, where we have religious freedom (as well as religious freedom). And most American Muslims, like myself, do not expect non-Muslims to adjust their behavior dramatically to meet our religious fast during Ramadan.
Friends and coworkers have opted to fast with me out of solidarity (or simply because it seems “fun”), which I appreciated, but it's not something I expect people to do. (Plus, they usually only survive three days before deciding that solidarity is overrated and that being thirsty for 15 hours isn't even close to being “fun.”)
All of this being said, there are some things you can do, and other things you shouldn't do, to make life a little easier for friends or coworkers who are fasting for Ramadan. If you work in an office with someone who is fasting, consider eating your luscious cheeseburger in the break room rather than at your desk, where your poor, suffering Muslim coworkers will have to smell it and salivate (if they even have enough moisture left in their bodies to salivate at that point).
Try not to give them a nibble or a sip of what you're eating, because it's often difficult for us to remember that we're fasting, and it's all too simple to accept and eat that Lay's potato chip you just offered us. But it's fine if you do. We won't be upset or enraged (unless you're doing it on purpose, in which case, what's wrong with you?).
If you want to invite your Muslim friends to a dinner party, attempt to schedule it after sunset so they can eat. We don't drink or eat pork as Muslims, but we don't mind being around it. (We are not afraid of or allergic to pork, contrary to popular assumption; we just don't consume it.) We're not vampires, and pork isn't garlic.) However, please let us know if something contains alcohol or pork so we don't ingest it by accident.
You might simply say, “Pleasant Ramadan!” or “Happy Eid!” to your Muslim friends or acquaintances to wish them a happy Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr. That isn't in any way offensive. “Ramadan/Eid kareem” (which means “have a generous Ramadan/Eid”) or “Ramadan/Eid mubarak” (which means “have a good Ramadan/Eid”) are the customary greetings if you want to show them you made an effort to understand more about their religion.
Even something as easy as memorizing one of those terms and speaking it to your Muslim friends with a grin will go a long way toward making them feel at ease.
How do you accept the Qadr of Allah?
In several passages of the Quran, Allah teaches us how to build a better life in every situation, with every small decision we make. We are all given the option of making a decision. Your future and destiny will be determined by the decisions you make.
Allah tells us in the Quran that life is a question of decision, and that is Allah's decree. Although Allah is the most powerful and has the ability to impose his will on us, we are offered alternatives on every occasion throughout the Quran.
“And when we made a forty-night appointment with Musa, you took the calf (in Worship) after him, and you became the oppressors.”
Allah swt is alluding to the Banu Israel (Children of Israel) and their position after they were saved from Firoun and given independence in this verse. While Musa (peace be upon him) was abroad, Banu Israel followed Samiree, who built a golden calf for them, which many of them worshipped.
When given the option, these people opted to worship someone other than Allah, committing the most heinous act of Shirk. Allah could have forcibly converted them and denied them the chance to worship a false god. Nonetheless, he left it to them as a test to see if they would do the right thing.
Give good news to those who believe and do good deeds: they will have gardens of paradise with rivers flowing under them.
If you believe with all of your heart and work hard enough, your destiny and future will be Paradise.
Allah expresses himself clearly when he says that choosing to believe and doing good deeds will win you heaven. A good deed is anything that pleases Allah. All you have to do now is make a decision and follow through.
That's exactly what you were promised. But, in the end, whether you end up in paradise is entirely up to you. You make all of the decisions in this life, and you make all of the decisions in the hereafter.
Making Bad Decisions and Qadr of Allah
Returning to Banu Israel, the people of Musa (as), after the Messenger of Allah had come to them with the Torah from Allah and after Allah had freed them from Firoun, the worst oppressor, they made the golden calf their god.
Allah granted them the opportunity to choose how they wanted to live when they were released from slavery. However, they made the wrong decision, and as a result, they became oppressors. They eventually oppressed themselves by sabotaging their own future and destiny.
That decision resulted in their demise and the loss of eternal paradise. Choices matter; never underestimate the power of Allah's gift of liberty.
By making better choices, we can become better versions of ourselves. Your decisions will either benefit or hurt you.
What life decisions are you making?
Are they assisting you in creating a destiny, a future that you will enjoy, or are they guiding you down the path to self-destruction, like Banu Israel's decisions did?
You will lose your future if all of your decisions are based solely on the Dunya's life. Every decision we make must benefit both realms. The immortal Akhira and the life of this Dunya (hereafter).
Remember that the hypocrites whom Allah warns us about in the Quran are only concerned with the here and now. They are only concerned with what will benefit them in the now, and they make no preparations or efforts for their hereafter.
We Muslims need to work for both this world and the next
With the flexibility to make wise decisions, your life is a big blessing. Every time we read the Quran, Allah swt reminds us that it is a clear guide. A guide simply shows you the way. It does not try to impose its will on you.
Allah is guiding us to our decisions; you have free will, and Allah will not force you to make a decision. So, which option will you take?
The Quran and the Messengers came bearing good tidings and warnings of impending disaster.
And we've only sent Messengers to share good news and warn people. Those who do not believe argue with lies in order to undermine the truth; they have mocked my verses and warnings.
Many individuals argue against the things that Allah has declared Haram, or forbidden, in order to keep doing them.
This is hazardous because Allah says that people who disbelieve in Allah and His word have this trait.
Allah's edict is that He has provided you with options in life. Don't make the same error as so many others by attempting to excuse your poor choices. It's preferable to simply admit your mistakes and apologize. Istighfar is the key to rescuing yourself from a horrible situation.
It's critical to recognize that everything is a decision. You are strong, and you have the ability to shape your own destiny. Making the proper decisions gives you power.
Your life and destiny will be shaped by your decisions. Allah confirms that the Messengers are sent as guides to lead you in the right direction.
Make the decision to follow that instruction, and you will be in charge of your own destiny. This is something that no one can take away from you. The activity of the heart, the action of the mouth, and the movement of your limbs make up a good deed.
When you speak well, you are making a good choice; when you are angry or outraged, you are making a good decision. It is a wise decision to walk in the direction of Allah's pleasure. It is a wise decision to stay away from the things that Allah despises.
Don't make the common mistake of saying it's Allah's Qadr and then waiting for things to happen. You'll never be completely content with it, so make decisions and follow through. Make a dua for guidance, and Allah will lead you in the right direction. Insha'Allah, wherever you wind up after that will be your fate.
Don't do foolish, haram things and then claim that this is my fate, that this is what Allah has decreed for me.
Allah determined that He, the Most Generous, would provide you with a choice. Don't make the same mistake as Banu Israel. Make decisions that will keep you happy for the rest of your life.
So How do You make good Decisions?
- Make it a point to actively declare that you wish to please Allah with what you're doing.
- Also, make a conscious effort to assist yourself right now so that you can achieve your goals.
Whatever you decide, Allah will decree it for you, but only if you act on it. It doesn't always turn out the way we hoped, but that's okay. Allah is the only one who knows what is best for us.
So, if you have a fantastic idea, make the best decisions you can at the time, and then make dua for direction and assistance. As a result, whatever happens is your fate. If everything goes as planned, that's fantastic…
And if it doesn't turn out the way you planned, that's fine. Why do you inquire? Because Allah will always provide you with the best option.
Make Dua to make good decisions about your life:
Salat Al Istikhara is the dua for guidance, and it is what we should do before making any decision, big or small. Anyone who seeks guidance will never be disappointed because he or she is requesting Allah's assistance. So, if you're concerned about making poor decisions, this should help.
I have faith in your ability to make good decisions in life; after all, it is your fate, insha'Allah.
By the way, don't overthink things; instead, plan, decide, and act. Because I'm an over-thinker, I state that as my final point.
What is Shahada Islam?
The Muslim profession of faith, shahdah (Arabic: “testimony”): “There is no deity but God; Muhammad is God's Prophet.” The first of Islam's five pillars (arkn al-Islam) is the shahdah.
What are the five principles of Islam?
Islam's main principles and rituals are known as the Five Pillars:
- Faith Proclamation (shahada). Islam is based on the idea that “there is no god but God, and Muhammad is God's Messenger.”
What can destroy the good during Ramadan?
The favorable results gained via fasting, according to the Koran, can be negated by five things: lying, slander, denouncing someone behind their back, a false oath, and greed or covetousness.