RAMADHAAN

DEFINITION OF RAMADHAAN
THE LITERAL MEANING OF SAWM IS TO RESTAIN ONESELF FROM SOMETHING. THE FAST HERE MEANING TO BE SILENT, THAT IS, TO ABSTAIN FROM SPEAKING. ISLAMICALLY SAWM MEANS TO ABSTAIN FROM FOOD DRINK AND SEXUAL RELATIONS BETWEEN DAWN AND SUNSET.

Classification of sawm
Sawm is wajib on muslims, according to the Quran and Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet), during the ninth month of Hijree calendar, called ramadhaan, every year. Allah (swt) said in the Quran ( the month of ramadhaan: in it was sent down the Quran, a guidance and the standard distinguishing between the right and the wrong. Whosoever of you witnesses the month should fast it) (Quraan 2:185)

Merits of ramadhaan
When ramadhaan comes the gates of Paradise are opened. The month of ramadhaan is a gr8 oppurtunity for one to do the deeds that could bring him/her closer to paradise. Fasting in ramadhaan is also an oppurtunity to atone for ones sins. Fasting also provides protection from evil for those who sincerely fast. Allahs Messenger (saw) is reported to have said, fasting is a shield Allah has a special reward which He personally gives one who fasts faithfully. Perhaps the greatest and most unique merit of ramadhaan lies in the fact that the quran, which is the last and only unchanged book of Divine Guidance in the world was revealed during this month.

Purpose of fasting
The ultimate goal of the fast is to develop taqwa in people, as Allah says in soorah Baqarah of the Quran verse:183 ([so] that it may produce taqwa in you). It is achieved by placing a shield between ones self from the word waqa which means to safe guard. This is achieved by being conscious of Allah and all His commandments at all times, which means avoiding the haram as well as the makrooh and even some of the halal wherever doubt araises.

Conditions for being required to fast

To be muslim To have reached puberty To be sane To be physically able To be resident, not a traveller.

The benefits of fasting

Fasting gives the individual a real taste of hunger and thirst which helps him to realize the experience of the poor. This experience should instill a desire to want to help those who are less fortunate by sharing food and wealth with them. It is required that the individual gives up not only food drink and sexual relations but also all forms of lying.

Exemptions from fasting in ramadhaan

Journey (safar) Sickness (marad) Pregnancy (haml) Breast feeding (ridaah) Weakness (daf) or old age (kibar-as sinn) Jihad (war)

Permissible acts while fasting

Cleaning the teeth with siwaak or its modern substitute, toothbrush is allowed, as the prophet (saw) used to use the siwaak often while fasting. It is better to avoid the use of toothpaste during fasting hours. Donating blood or unintentionally vomiting do not break the fast. Kissing ones wife while fasting does not break the fast, as long as moderation is observed. Taking medicine by the way of injection, nasal sprays or eye drops does not break the fast, as they are not form of eating. Eating or drinking accidentally or out of forgiveness does not break the fast. Bathing, swimming, or sitting in water to cool off while fasting is permissible. For someone to rinse out the mouth or to taste food or drink which is being prepared spitting it all back out without swallowing any of the food or drink is also permissible. Swallowing ones saliva does not break the fast

Salat at-taraweeh

 Taraweeh literally means rest pauses. This name was given in later generations to the night prayer during ramadhaan because of the pause observed after every for rakahs. The name was not used by the prophet (saw) neither did he pray twenty rakahs. In fact he called it salat ul layl and prayed eleven rakahsconsisting of two sets of four rakahs with three rakahs of witr.