Do's and don'ts during the month of Ramadan: rules, conditions, prohibitions

1. Important aspects
2. Timing of Ramadan
3. Purpose of the post
4. How to start Ramadan fasting
5. Phases of fasting
6. What breaks Ramadan fasting?
7. What actions do not break the fast?
8. Who is exempt from fasting?
9. Debt upon fasting
10. Performing good deeds during Ramadan
11. Suhur
12. Iftar
13. Tarawih
14. The last ten days of the month of Ramadan Night al-Qadr or Night of Destiny
15. Itikaf

Ramadan (in Arabic) or Ramadan (from Turkic) is the name of the holy month in the Muslim calendar in which Muslims observe obligatory fasting or saum (in Arabic), or Eid (from Turkic). Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the mandatory five pillars of Islam.

Important aspects

• Throughout the entire month of Ramadan, devout Muslims are required to abstain from food during the daytime. It is also prohibited to drink, smoke, or have intimate relations.
• The month of Ramadan lasts from twenty-nine to thirty days depending on the lunar calendar of the year.
• The Muslim fast begins at the moment when dawn begins after the morning azan sounds in the mosque, and the fast ends at the moment when the sun sets and the evening adhan sounds in the mosque.
• A fasting person should finish his morning meal or morning meal of Suhoor before the signs of dawn appear in the sky, and should begin breaking his fast or evening meal of Iftar only after the time for breaking his fast has arrived. When breaking the fast, it is recommended to consume water and dates from food.
• Every day after the Isha prayer, Muslims should perform a collective Taraweeh, a voluntary prayer - this prayer consists of eight rak'ahs or twenty rak'ahs.
• The last ten days of the month of Ramadan are the period in which the night of al-Qadr or the Night of Power, the Night of Predestination begins.
• The festival of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr in Arabic) or the Festival of Breaking the Fast (Eid al-Fitr in Turkic) is celebrated on the first day of the month of Shawwal, and it marks the end of Ramadan. The holiday of Breaking the Fast begins with the performance of holiday prayer in the mosque, and before prayer, Muslims must pay alms - zakat al-fitr.

Fasting time

Islam, as the reader already knows, calls on all Muslims to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. What date it will occur on depends on the lunar calendar. For every year it falls on a new date. During uraza, it is customary to get up before the morning prayer to eat breakfast. This procedure of eating before sunrise is called suhoor. The Holy Prophet ordered the faithful not to neglect it, because it will give a lot of strength to perform prayer (namaz). Therefore, waking up an hour earlier should not be difficult for believers. It is recommended to complete suhur before the morning prayer - Fajr, so as not to be late for the time of fasting.

Throughout the entire day, until dusk, the fasting person must spend it in complete restriction, without food or water. He must interrupt it before evening prayer. Iftar should be opened with a sip of fresh water and a date. It is recommended to break the fast on time, without delaying it for later. After taking water and dates, you do not need to eat food immediately. First you need to perform evening prayer, and only then you are allowed to start dinner - iftar. It is forbidden to eat to satiety and overeat. You need to take just enough to satisfy your hunger. Otherwise, the post will lose its meaning. And, as you know, it is needed to cultivate bodily lust.

Timing of Ramadan

In the Islamic lunar calendar, each new month begins on the day after the new moon. The lunar calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar - the difference is approximately eleven days. This is the reason that each date for the beginning of the month and the end of Ramadan moves back by eleven days relative to the Gregorian calendar.

Different Muslim countries calculate the first day of Ramadan differently, with a number of countries calculating its beginning using astronomical calculations, and other countries observing the moon to set the date. Another method used is to announce the date by people who can be trusted in the Muslim Ummah.

Therefore, the start dates of Ramadan differ in different countries, and they may also differ due to different weather conditions.

Fasting during critical days

Is it possible to fast during menstruation? Islam prohibits a devout Muslim woman not only from observing restrictions, but also from performing namaz. If a woman does not do this on her menstrual days, then there is no need to compensate. All this is due to the fact that these days ladies are not pure. And as you know, observance of the most important Islamic rituals is allowed only if complete hygiene is observed.

If a woman keeps a fast, and suddenly she begins to have discharge, then it is considered broken. the girl will have to compensate him. But if this happened after dusk, then there was no violation. The next day you need to refrain from restrictions until the end of the monthly cycle. In a word, fasting should be for the benefit of those fasting, and not to their detriment. And if you feel weak in the body, you can get more negative things from the energy than positive things.

Purpose of the post

During the great Muslim fast in the month of Ramadan, fasting Muslims completely renounce their human needs, the main meaning is that with the help of such a renunciation, Muslim believers demonstrate to Almighty Allah the spiritual fortitude and steadfastness of their faith. Spiritual and physical fasting during the month of Ramadan has a positive effect on the soul and body.

Fasting during Ramadan is meant to curb one's instincts and passions, nafs. Every year during the month of Ramadan, a person maintains external purity, as well as internal spiritual purity, trying to free himself from all those actions, intentions and thoughts that defile a person. If a Muslim, during fasting, commits actions that are displeasing to Allah Almighty, then the fast of such a person may not be valid or may not even be counted. Allah Almighty does not need a person to abstain from drinking and eating unless he gives up wicked deeds and words.

Every year during the month of Ramadan, Muslims are more responsible in their prayers than at any other time of the year, they try to read the Holy Book of Allah, the Quran, more often, they strive to do good deeds, give sadaqa or voluntary alms, as well as zakat or obligatory alms.

If in other months of the year any Muslim has stopped performing basic prayers, in the month of Ramadan he strives to resume performing the daily prayers obligatory in Islam, therefore the onset of the month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the sinner to repent of his sins before Allah Almighty and a great blessing for the believer Muslim to receive the pleasure and mercy of the Lord.

What to do when refusing food and liquids?

A large number of studies have been conducted that have not revealed the harmful effects of fasting restrictions on the human body or its health. Those people who have chronic diseases, as well as those who need to take medications, should refuse to fast. But, according to Islam, they are already exempt from fasting.

During the hot season, there are often concerns about the desire to drink. Why it is said that it is forbidden to drink during daylight hours, no one knows. But, the benefit or harm will be directly related to what a person ate in the evening.

As soon as the fast ends, the male population loses about 1.5 - 2 kilograms, and women up to one kilogram. Please note that the weight then returns, of course, not immediately, but after a certain period of time (about 2-3 weeks).

To prevent harm to health and the body, it is recommended to eat only healthy foods during the permitted hours that have the correct ratio of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is important to drink fluids at night, but avoid drinking too much coffee or eating fatty, salty or sugary foods.

It is said that due to the fact that daylight hours are somewhat shorter in winter, fasting during the month of Ramadan is easier to observe. That's how it is. The body doesn't need to drink a lot of fluids during the cold months, but at the same time, it wants to eat constantly.

How to start Ramadan fasting

The first thing a Muslim must do when starting to fast in Ramadan is to make an intention. One of the mandatory conditions for observing Muslim fasting is niyat, which is the fundamental position of fasting, its beginning: a Muslim must make his intention to fast. A Muslim must affirm the intention or niyat with his heart every day after the night prayer and before the morning prayer.

Most madhhabs believe that the intention should be made every day while fasting, but a number of learned theologians believe that if a Muslim confirms the intention only at the beginning of the month, then this will be enough.

In the intention, it is very important to indicate what category of fast the Muslim is going to keep: it should be indicated that this is the obligatory fast of Ramadan. Traditionally, the intention is pronounced with the following text: “I intend to perform the obligatory fast from dawn to sunset sincerely for the sake of Allah Almighty.”

Nausea while fasting

If a fasting person has stomach problems, he does not have to hold back vomiting for fear that this may break his fast. When a Muslim deliberately caused her, then there will be no punishment for this action. If the fasting person involuntarily empties the stomach of its contents, this will not affect the observance of the fast. This means that it is not necessary to restrain the urge to vomit. But it is prohibited to deliberately call them.

Phases of fasting

The entire day of the month of Ramadan can be divided into phases:

• the daytime period, which is a period of abstinence: during this time it is prohibited to drink and eat, as well as engage in sexual intercourse. The daylight period begins as soon as dawn breaks.
• the nocturnal period during which it is allowed to consume liquids and food, as well as engage in sexual intercourse. The night period begins when the sun sets, and its beginning is marked by the performance of Maghrib - evening prayer.

For Muslims, it is important to determine when the fasting time begins and ends, since you cannot start fasting later than dawn, and you cannot start breaking your fast or eating food before sunset.

What breaks Ramadan fasting?

Violation of fasting is caused by the following actions committed during daylight hours:

1. if the Muslim has not made the intention (niyat) to fast before starting the fast;
2. if a person intentionally eats or drinks;
3. if a person smokes, sniffs tobacco, inhales vapors or smoke that gives pleasure;
4. if a person has sexual intercourse with ejaculation or not, if a person masturbates or causes ejaculation by caresses;
5. administration of rectal or vaginal medications;
6. provoking vomiting, which fills in the oral cavity.

What rules should a woman follow during Ramadan?

• Female representatives do not stop fasting if the days as soon as their menstrual blood begins to flow. The fact that you need to stop fasting is an invention of people about which Allah Almighty did not report in His Book.
• During fasting, it is not forbidden to taste food for saltiness.
• Women are not prohibited from wearing perfume or jewelry for their husband during the day at home;
• They fast in the same way as men.
• During daylight hours, women are not allowed to have sexual intercourse with their husbands during the day.
• At night, sexual relations with the husband are allowed.
• A woman should not miss prayers, she should understand the meanings of the Koran and reflect on the verses.

What actions do not break the fast?

The following actions performed during daylight hours do not break the fast:

1. if a person takes drink or food unintentionally;
2. if a person introduces medicine into the body using injections or injections, with the exception of vitamins;
3. if a person donates blood or performs bloodletting or hijama;
4. if a person bathes, but water does not enter his mouth during this;
5. if a person kisses, but does not swallow the partner’s saliva;
6. if a person had caresses that did not lead to ejaculation;
7. if a person swallows his saliva;
8. if a person swallows sputum, but it does not enter the oral cavity;
9. if a person brushes his teeth, but the toothpaste does not get into his throat;
10. if a person brushes his teeth with a siwak. There are different opinions on this issue among learned theologians of Islam: some believe that brushing teeth after noon is undesirable, citing as evidence a hadith in which the words are given that for the Almighty there is no better incense than the smell from the mouth of someone who is fasting.
11. if a person has involuntary, unprovoked vomiting.

Is it possible to stay in the mood without doing namaz?

Many people ask the question: is it possible to keep only the prayers without performing prayer? Not only is it possible, but it is necessary.

Like performing namaz, fasting is the duty of Muslims before the Almighty. Namaz is a separate pillar of Islam, and Eid is a separate pillar. Therefore, for non-observance of prayer, a person will be considered a separate sin, and for non-observance of fasting, a separate sin. Consequently, if you observe only fasting and do not perform prayer, then leaving the prayer will be considered a sin, but the fast is considered valid. Therefore, it is stupid to leave the fast because of not performing namaz.

However, a person must have a firm intention to soon begin to perform fivefold prayer. Since we do not know when we will leave this world (young or old, healthy or sick), we need to think about how many people left without starting to pray. Will it be too late?

Who is exempt from fasting?

Certain categories of people are exempt from fasting during Ramadan. These people include:

1. minor children;
2. adult Muslims who are mentally ill, have illnesses and mental disorders, and are incompetent;
3. sick and old people who, for health reasons due to illness, cannot withstand fasting and there is no hope that their health status will change for the better within a year. Such people, in order to atone for their inability to fast, should feed the needy;
4. women who are breastfeeding and pregnant women, if there is concern that their body and the health of the child will be harmed by fasting. As soon as the reason why women skip the fast expires - the woman’s pregnancy period or the period of breastfeeding the child ends - they will have to make up the fast. But a woman should not stop breastfeeding her child in order to start fasting;
5. musafirs (travelers) who are on the road and the distance from their home is more than eighty kilometers. A traveler can break his fast on the road regardless of the difficulty of the journey and in any state of health;
6. women during the menstrual period or during the period when postpartum cleansing occurs. After the end of these periods, a Muslim woman needs to make up for the missed days of fasting as soon as she has such an opportunity.

If a person belongs to the category of people who are exempt from fasting during Ramadan, then he should not eat food ostentatiously in front of everyone or smoke during the daytime.

In a number of Muslim countries, there is a ban on playing loud music, chewing gum and smoking in public places during Ramadan, as well as drinking and eating during the fasting period. In Muslim cities in Israel there is also an unspoken ban on this - this applies to those cities where Muslims make up the majority of the population, as well as those cities where Jews and Arabs live together. In the city of Nazareth, Jews and Christians are sympathetic to fasting Muslims, so every year during the fasting period they try to avoid such actions so as not to irritate the Muslim population of the city.

Bleeding during fasting

Donating blood is also a violation. It is believed that in this way a person becomes weaker. And feeling unwell during fasting is unacceptable. This means that a person should not become a donor. Even in cases of extreme necessity, this is a violation. However, the fasting person can make up for it on another day. If the blood flowed unintentionally, then the restriction is not violated. Donating blood for analysis also does not apply to this. Indeed, in this case, little fluid is released, so the person does not experience weakness. In addition, fasting during the menstrual cycle (also a kind of bloodletting) is not allowed. As you know, representatives of the fair sex experience weakness and pain during this period. And, as stated above, fasting is unacceptable at such times.

Debt upon fasting

If a person breaks fast during the month of Ramadan without a valid reason, then this is a sin, and he must atone for this sin.

The form and amount of debt repayment are considered based on the following gradation:

1. if a person breaks the fast unintentionally, and he has a good reason for this, which can be haid (menstruation), a serious illness, then he should make up for the missed fast: this can be one day of fasting, or paying the needy a certain amount, which will be equal to one saa of wheat, or it can be a payment in products that will be purchased for that amount, and this can be done on any other day of the year;
2. if a Muslim misses a fast and has a valid reason, he can fast on another day of the year until the next month of Ramadan begins;
3. if a person had sexual intercourse while it was still daylight, he must compensate for this violation of fasting, and the compensation for this one day will be equal to sixty days of fasting for a continuous year.

General information

During the Islamic fast, fasting people should not take any food during the day. They are not allowed to drink alcohol or have intimate relationships. Currently, there are bans on smoking cigarettes and chewing gum (and, as you know, they did not exist at the time of the prophet). And drinking alcohol in Islam is prohibited not only during the holy month of Ramadan, but generally throughout the year. Moreover, their sale is also unacceptable. Unlike Christianity, fasting in Islam allows the consumption of any food: meat and fried. At the same time, it is limited in time. It is permissible to eat only in the dark. It must be taken into account that Islam does not allow eating the meat of certain animals. For example, pork is highly prohibited.

Not only the holy month of Ramadan is a time of fasting for Muslims. Islam divides it into two types. The first post is mandatory. It must be observed during the holy month of Ramadan (ninth in the Muslim calendar). The second one is recommended. In Islam, the calendar is not the same as the Gregorian calendar. It is shorter by 11 days. And that is why every year the month of Ramadan comes ten days earlier. The recommended days of fasting in Islam are: every Monday and Thursday; 9th, 10th, 11th of the month of Muharram; the first six days of Shawwal. In addition to refusing food and carnal pleasures, those who fast are obliged to pray (perform namaz). Eating should be done before morning prayer (Fajr) and after evening prayer (Maghrib). It is generally accepted that during this month the Almighty (Allah) is more favorable to prayers and increases the significance of good deeds.

Unlike Christian fasting, fasting in Islam is not sad, but festive. For devout Muslims it is the greatest holiday. They prepare for it in advance: they buy food and gifts, since the Almighty forgives sins and answers the prayers of not only those who fast, but also those who help those in need and simply engage in charity. After all, even the most disadvantaged must eat after dark and participate in the holiday. Therefore, at the end of the sacred time, it is customary to collect money (zakat) for the poor. In addition to doing godly deeds, you need to try not to deceive anyone. Otherwise, it is generally accepted that the Almighty will not accept either fasting or prayer.

Performing good deeds during Ramadan

As stated in the Holy Quran, as well as in the reliable hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it is especially important to do good deeds during the fast of Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ reported that performing a good deed during the fast of Ramadan increases the significance of each of the good deeds performed seven hundred times.

Also, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that during the month of Ramadan, the shaitan is chained, and it is easier for Muslims to do good deeds because the shaitan does not oppose them.

Throughout the entire month of Ramadan, fasting Muslims try to devote as much time as possible to reading the Holy Book of the Koran, performing more additional prayers, giving alms to the needy, and performing other good deeds.

Actions that devastate the body

What breaks fasting in Islam? These actions are of two types: that which empties a person and that which fills him. The first include those during which certain fluids leave the body. As you know, this can be intentional vomiting (if it was not intentional, the fast is not considered broken) or bloodletting. Just as stated above, it is forbidden to enter into intimate relationships. And as you know, during this process, both men and women experience the release of sexual genetic material. Since the action is intentional, it is considered a violation.

In general, even without the release of genetic material, intimate contact breaks the fast. Even if it occurs between legal spouses. If the ejection occurred without intimate contact, but deliberately (masturbation), then this is also a violation, since in Islam such an action is considered a sin. However, if a man deliberately decided to do this, but no sexual fluid was released, then the fast is not considered broken. It is also not a violation for unintentional release in both men and women.

In Islam, this violation is the most serious. If a person has repented, then he can atone for his guilt in two ways: either free the slave (in the civilized world this is difficult and virtually inaccessible), or fast for the next two months. Even if, without a good reason, he violates or interrupts the restriction that he endures on the occasion of repentance for adultery, he must begin anew two months of abstinence.

Hugging and kissing during fasting is allowed. But these actions should not lead to sexual arousal, so that something that breaks the fast does not happen. If spouses know how to control themselves, they can calmly kiss each other. If you don’t have confidence in yourself or your significant other, then you need to refuse hugs. Sometimes it happens that the release of genetic material occurred in a dream. And as you know, a person does not control his actions at this time. Therefore, the fast is not broken. In this case, there is no need to reimburse it. And sodomy and bestiality in Islam are always grave sins, and not just in the month of Ramadan.

Suhur

The early morning meal during the month of Ramadan is called suhur. An important condition: eating Suhoor must be done before the onset of the Fajr prayer, that is, before dawn begins. Like Iftar (evening breaking of the fast), Suhoor is the only meal of the day for Muslims throughout the month of Ramadan, instead of the traditional three meals a day with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Suhur must be completed before the first signs of dawn appear closer to its beginning and the reward (sawab) that the fasting person will receive from Allah Almighty for the fast of Ramadan will then be greater. The fasting person must definitely eat before dawn, and if he does not do this, then a certain part of his reward will be lost, since suhoor is an action that relates to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Holy Quran says: “ Eat and drink until you can distinguish the white thread of dawn from the black, then fast until nightfall ” (Sura 2:187). A Muslim should treat suhoor as the grace and mercy of Allah Almighty: wake up in time to eat slowly. After this, you should begin morning prayer.

What is not allowed to do during the month of Ramadan?

In order not to violate the traditions and requirements of fasting, a number of conventions must be observed. Thus, they usually include refusal to eat food, medications, water or other liquids, smoke or engage in sexual relations.

In addition, the following is not permitted and should be prevented from occurring:

• Taking advantage of an enema to cleanse the colon;
• Using medications through the nose and ears;
• Induce vomiting;
• Accidentally drink water while showering or bathing.

You can eat food only until dawn comes. This pastime is called Suhur. Beginners must remember that they cannot skip it, because the next day they will only be able to taste food late at night. Please note that it is worth eating enough food to last you until the next Suhoor, but do not eat too much.

Iftar

The evening meal or breaking the fast during Ramadan is called iftar. Muslims perform iftar after performing evening Maghrib prayers. Iftar can begin after the sun has set. It is not advisable for a fasting person to delay eating Iftar later. You should begin breaking your fast with dates, and then with water, according to the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “ When one of you breaks his fast, let him break his fast with dates, and if he does not find dates, let him break his fast with water, for truly it purifies .” Instead of dates, you can eat other foods that can quickly saturate your blood with glucose: baked goods or dried fruits are better.

After the fasting person has had his evening meal, he should say the following dua (supplication):

- “O Lord, I fasted for You and, using Your benefits, I broke my fast. ..."

or

“The thirst has gone, and the veins have filled with moisture, and the reward is already waiting, if Allah wills.”

Actions that fill the body

Filling actions include those during which the human body is filled. This is eating and drinking. And as you know, they are unacceptable during daylight hours. In addition to them, taking medications, blood infusions, injections are also considered violations. If medications are taken as a rinse and not swallowed, then this is acceptable. Therefore, it is necessary to take pills and other medications in the dark. Also, the fast is not considered broken if the blood is reinfused after it has been purified and saturated with the necessary nutrients. In addition, drops for the eyes and ears or enemas are also not prohibited during the holiday. It is even permissible to remove teeth, despite the possible bleeding from the wounds. If a fasting person uses oxygen pillows (including asthmatics), then the fast is also not broken. Because air is not food and drink, but gas entering the lungs.

Any Muslim who deliberately ate or drank committed a great sin. Therefore, he is obliged to repent and make up for the violation on another day. And it is a double sin to accept what Islam prohibits on any day, and not just during Lent—alcohol and pork. If a person simply forgot about the restriction (and this is often observed in the first days of the fast), then the fast is not considered broken. It is not necessary to reimburse it. A person must thank the Almighty for sending him food (and there are many hungry people in the world). If a Muslim sees that someone else is reaching for food, he is obliged to stop him and remind him of fasting. Swallowing saliva or food debris stuck between the teeth is also not a violation.

Tarawih

The term "tarawih" translated from Arabic means "respite", "rest" or "break". This term refers to voluntary prayer, which a Muslim can perform voluntarily after performing the Isha prayer, which is the obligatory night prayer.

Tarawih can be done individually, or you can perform the collective Tarawih prayer. The prayer got its name due to the fact that praying Muslims, after completing each of its four rak'ahs, can sit and rest, listening to the edifications that the imam presents to them, and praising Allah Almighty.

During the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the taraweeh could include from eight to twenty rakats, but Caliph Umar finally approved the taraweeh of twenty rakats when the Sahaba gave their consent to this.

The four Sunni madhhabs agree that taraweeh should consist of twenty rakats, that is, ten prayers of two rakats.

Tarawih should be performed daily throughout the month of Ramadan after the obligatory night Isha prayer has been performed.

Fasting during pregnancy and lactation

How to fast during pregnancy in Islam? The expectant mother, if she feels well, there is no threat to either her or the child, is obliged to comply with the restrictions. If there is a possibility of miscarriage, then fasting is not necessary. The same applies to nursing mothers. Therefore, before the onset of holy fasting, the above women should consult a doctor. And pass the necessary tests.

If it is not recommended for them to fast due to a difficult pregnancy or for other reasons, then they are obliged to make up the fast at another time. Preferably before the next Ramadan. In addition, such a young lady needs to distribute alms to those in need (both money and food). However, if a woman cannot make up for the fast because she is again carrying the baby under her heart or continues to feed, then it is quite enough for her to help the poor.

Fasting for a pregnant woman in Islam is not too strict. It does not have to be observed for all thirty days in a row. Violations every second day are acceptable. Sometimes you can take a break for a week. The main thing is to keep it for thirty days in total. Since the days of fasting in winter are much shorter than in summer (in the cold season it dawns late and gets dark early), young mothers are allowed to make up for fasting on these days, even if Ramadan was in the summer.

The last ten days of Ramadan

Of all the days of the month of Ramadan, the last ten days are special. These days, Muslims must show special zeal in various types of worship, and it is best to stay in the mosque these days, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did.

Night of al-Qadr or Night of Destiny

The Night of Destiny or the Night of al-Qadr, which is also called the Night of Power, is one of the main nights in Islam. It was on this night that the first sura of the Holy Book of the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by Allah Almighty. This event took place in 610 in the Hira cave, which is located in Mount Jabal an-Nur.

The night of predestination occurs in the last ten days of Ramadan. It is most likely that it is located among the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ while he was praying and ordered him to read, saying the word “ Read!” "(Sura Blood Clot).

The Night of Destiny marks the end of Ramadan. On this night, Muslims ask forgiveness from Allah Almighty for all the sins they have committed, and also read the Holy Book of the Koran and repeatedly remember the Merciful and Forgiving Allah.

Itikaf

For the last ten days and nights, Muslim believers, if possible, move away from their families in the mosque, for more complete worship and great reward for the worship performed in the mosque, be it collective prayer, reading the Koran or remembrance of Allah.

For a full-fledged itikaf, a Muslim must take the intention and spend all 10 days in the mosque, leaving it only when absolutely necessary, to perform a complete ablution or to eat, if such an opportunity is not provided in the mosque, and he should not enter into this period into an intimate relationship with his wife.

When does fasting begin and end in 2022?

The beginning of the holy month of Ramadan occurs in 2022 at the time of the appearance of the first moon - the very initial phase in the form of a sickle and while the luminary is not observed, then according to the Koran, fasting cannot be started and this is not tied to any date or to a full month, even on the 35th day appears - that means then fasting begins. It was previously said that during the day and the glow of the sun, Muslim believers refuse to eat food and liquid, and also do not engage in sexual relations. In addition, they should completely avoid recreational activities, smoking, or even thinking about this activity. Please note that despite the opening of shops, it would be unnecessary to consume food at a time when other residents have refused it. This is attributed to disrespect for the traditions and customs of the local people.

Remember that fasting time lasts only during the day. As soon as the sun sets beyond the horizon, Muslims can lead everyday lives: eat food, smoke, attend entertainment events, make love.

But before darkness sets in, devoting time to earnest prayer is required. There is nothing more unusual than what happens during the day in Arab countries. People continue to attend school, work, and raise children. During Ramadan, shorter working hours are established.

Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr: The Festival of Breaking the Fast

The Feast of Breaking the Fast is celebrated on the first day of the lunar month of Shawwal and marks the end of the fast of Ramadan. The holiday of breaking the fast is called Eid al-Fitr in the Arabic version, and Eid al-Fitr in the Turkic version. On the Feast of Breaking the Fast, Muslims should perform Eid prayer or festive prayer, and also be required to pay zakat al-fitr, which is obligatory charity.

Zakat al-Fitr in Arabic literally means “alms of breaking the fast” - this is the alms that a Muslim should pay to those in need before the holiday of Eid al-Adha - this is a strict condition and Sunnah. Paying zakat al-fitr for a Muslim is an obligatory act or wajib. According to Islam, the head of the family, before Eid al-Fitr begins, must pay alms for all members of his family under his care. There is no need to pay zakat al-fitr for a child born on the last day of Ramadan after sunset.

Pay zakat al-fitr to a person who is authorized to accept zakat in the mosque, or better pay it directly to the needy, the provisions of which are known to the payer of zakat al-fitr, you can also give your zakat al-fitr to a person who knows the people in need and is ready to give them zakat in a timely manner al-fitr.

Islam sets the size of such alms: it must be equal to either one saa of bulk products that are common in the region where the Muslim lives (wheat for Europe, rice for Asia, dates for the Middle East). Sa'a is a measure of weight that the Hanafi madhhab equates to three and a half kilograms, and the rest of the Sunni madhhabs equate to 2.176 g.

It is best to pay zakat al-fitr in products, since this was done during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. But the Hanafi madhhab allows the payment of zakat al-fitr in monetary terms.

Muslims are required to pay Zakat al-Fitr in order to atone for mistakes they may have made during the fast of Ramadan or omissions that may have occurred. Also, the payment of Zakat al Fitr is made in order to enable those who are poor and in need of funds to also celebrate Eid al-Adha like the rest of the Muslim community.

On the first day of Shawwal, Muslims perform a collective holiday prayer - Eid prayer, which usually brings together tens and hundreds of thousands of believers in large cities of Russia and Muslim countries. Then a festive sermon is read, after which Muslims rush to their families, loved ones, relatives and friends with congratulations on the occasion of the end of Ramadan.

Festive prayer in Moscow after the end of Ramadan

Quran about Ramadan

The Holy month of Ramadan is mentioned only once in the Book of Allah, the Quran, when it is said that Muslims should fast “... a certain number of days ...” (Sura 2:184), and it is clarified that those who are sick or on the road during fasting , you should then make up the same number of days at another time. It is also indicated that people for whom it is difficult to fast can feed the needy as compensation for fasting.

The Holy Book of the Quran itself, which is a guide for people, was revealed precisely in the month of Ramadan. Also in the 97th sura of the Quran “Predestination” there is a mention of the Night of al-Qadr and its great significance.

How do Muslims congratulate each other during Ramadan?

Since the fasting month of Ramadan is a joyful event for Muslims, during this month Muslims congratulate each other by saying the words “Ramadan Kareem!”, which translated from Arabic means “We wish you a generous Ramadan!” You can also greet each other with the words “Ramadan Mubarak!”, which means “Blessed is Ramadan!” in Arabic. Muslims also traditionally greet each other with the words “May Allah please your eyes in Ramadan with sweet evenings and the friendship of the chosen, the mercy of the All-Forgiving and the paradise of the pious!”

Already in the last days of the month, Muslims say to each other the words “Hawatim Mubarak” - these words are translated from Arabic into Russian as the wish “Blessed last days of Ramadan!” Believers wish each other that Allah Almighty will accept their fast if they fast.

What is the correct name: Ramadan or Ramazan?

Which name is correct? Ramzan or Ramadan?

• Turkic-speaking peoples usually say “Ramadan”. If we turn to Arabic, “Ramadan” is translated as the most revered month. At the same time, those who are not Arabs can replace the phrase “dan” with “zan”.
• Such a replacement is associated with the presence in speech of the letter “dad”, which is found only in the Arabic alphabet. It is not available in other languages.
• Remember that it makes no difference what you say or how you say it. But when reading the Koran, it is important to say Ramadan.

The most frequently asked questions about Ramadan

Among the most frequently asked questions are those related to the timing of fasting and how best to fast, as well as those related to the history of Ramadan.

A number of questions concern hadiths about the virtues of fasting, and often they cite hadiths that are not authentic.

What date does Ramadan start in 2021?

The beginning of the Muslim fast of Ramadan depends on the appearance of the young crescent on the night of the 29th to 30th of the previous month (that is, the month of Shaaban). The new moon must be seen in the sky with the naked eye. If Muslims have fixed a new crescent, then the month of Ramadan begins on the next day and this is the beginning of the first day of fasting.

According to astronomical calculations, the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan in 2022 begins on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

When does Ramadan end in 2022?

The end time of the month of Ramadan is determined in the same way as the beginning time; Muslims are guided by the appearance of the new Moon in the month of Shawwal (which comes after Ramadan). According to astronomical calculations, the month of Ramadan will end on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 .

Is sleeping during the month of Ramadan considered worship?

Hadiths are cited that say that sleep during the month of Ramadan is also worship. On this issue, only one hadith can be cited, which literally says: “ The sleep of a fasting person is worship ,” and it is given in the book “Al-Jami' as-saghir”, where its author As-Suyuti refers to Al-Bayhaqiy, but mentions that this hadith is weak.

Is the hadith that says: “Fast and you will be healthy!” reliable?

They also cite a hadith in which the words “ Fast and you will be healthy ” are said, but these words are also mentioned in a weak hadith given in the books of At-Tabarani from Abu Hurayrah, as well as Ibn Adiya, in whom this hadith was transmitted from Ibn Abbas, but in The chain of transmitters also has a weak link.

How to fast on a polar day or polar night?

In certain regions of the planet, dawn and sunset may be completely absent - in such places, day or night can last for several months. In such regions, Muslims should calculate the fasting time according to a certain scheme: the jamaat can take as a basis the fasting schedule of the region closest to this locality, where it is possible to observe the changing periods.

Is congratulating Ramadan a form of worship?

Questions are often asked about whether Ramadan greetings are worship or should it be considered a tradition? Also, how exactly should Muslims be congratulated on the day of Ramadan, is it possible to shake their hands or is it permissible to hug each other, which comes from good intentions.

Muslim theologians are of the opinion that there is nothing negative in Muslims congratulating each other on the onset of the month of Ramadan, since the Prophet Muhammad himself, at the onset of the month of Ramadan, announced this to his loved ones with joyful words: “ Here comes a great and blessed month ,” and Also, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminded his companions of the virtues of the month of Ramadan and encouraged them to make good use of this blessed month.

When should the Ramadan fast begin in countries where it does not coincide with the fast in Arab countries?

A number of problems and questions arise among Muslims in different countries in connection with the ways in which the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan are determined in a particular state. Muslims in India are forced to fast later in the month of Ramadan than believers in other Muslim countries do, since in India, Eid al-Fitr, like the onset of Ramadan, is determined by the calendar adopted by the country's parliament at the beginning of the year.

Many Muslims are guided by the beginning of fasting with their relatives living in Arab countries, but learned theologians urge Muslims that they should fast together with the Muslims of the Islamic country or area in which they live, since fasting in the month of Ramadan cannot be allowed became the reason for the emergence of disagreements between Muslims within one state. In connection with this decision, the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are quoted from a hadith, when he ﷺ said that fasting begins “ when you fast ,” and breaking the fast occurs “ when you all break your fast ,” and sacrifice begins “ when you bring everything. as a sacrifice ."

How to determine the onset of the month of Ramadan?

Shariah prescribes to mark the day of the month based on visual fixation: when the month can be seen with the naked eye or with the help of optical technology. If the month cannot be seen, then when determining the date of the beginning of Ramadan and the date when it ends, it is necessary to follow the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “ Fast when you see it (the new month) and stop when you see it again, if it is hidden from you, then count thirty days .”

What is considered the beginning of the day?

One of the most common questions about fasting in Ramadan is the question of what is considered the beginning of the day and how exactly to celebrate the beginning of the day among Muslims, because astronomers claim that the day should begin after midnight, and Muslims focus on the appearance of the dawn, deciding When should the day start?

Based on information from the Holy Book of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we can say that Muslims should consider the beginning of the day to be the time when the second dawn appears, since it is said in the surah of the Quran “Cow”: “ Eat and drink until you can distinguish the white thread of dawn from black, and then fast until night... " (Surah 2:187).

Also on this issue, the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are quoted, who said: “.. eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktoum calls for prayer .”

The month of Ramadan - what is its meaning; how to prepare for his arrival and fasting

“O you who believe! Allah has prescribed fasting for you too, just as He ordered those peoples who lived before you to observe it. By observing it, you will become God-fearing" (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 183).

“When Ramadan comes, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains” (al-Bukhari 1899, Muslim 1079).

*** Quite a bit of time will pass, and by the grace of Allah, Muslims around the world will enter the blessed month of Ramadan (in 2016, for Muslims in the European part of Russia, Ramadan begins on the evening of June 5th) - a month of obligatory fasting, reading the Koran, when the reward for doing good deeds it increases many times over. Many Muslims will be fasting for the first time - this article is intended primarily for them.

***

Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar; it was in this month that the Revelation from Allah Almighty, the first verses of the Koran, began to be revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed for Muslims in the month of Sha'ban, in the second year of the Hijri.

The very prescription of fasting took place before Islam; fasting was prescribed by the Almighty and previous communities, in particular, the Ahlul-Kitab communities (Jews and Christians) who lived before the coming of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). A distinctive feature in the observance of obligatory fasting between Muslims and former communities is that Muslims are required to observe it specifically in the month of Ramadan.

The main arguments for the obligatory observance of fasting are the verses of the Holy Quran and the hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Almighty said in the Quran (meaning):

“The month of Ramadan, in which the Quran was revealed, as a guide for people and as an explanation of the straight path and the distinction between truth and falsehood... Whoever finds Ramadan among you, let him fast...” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185 ).

The hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), says:

“Islam is based on five components: the testimony that there is no one and nothing worthy of worship except Allah Almighty; performing the obligatory five times prayer; payment of zakat; making a pilgrimage to Mecca; observing fasting in the month of Ramadan" (Sahih al-Bukhari, No. 8; Sahih Muslim, No. 16).

Another hadith says that a certain Bedouin approached the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked: “Tell me, what fast has the Almighty prescribed for me?” To which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: “Fasting in the month of Ramadan " (Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 1792; Sahih Muslim, no. 11).

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the pillars (foundations) of Islam, as well as a clear requirement, the obligation of which is known to every Muslim. Therefore, a person should be very careful, one should not consider fasting in Ramadan as something optional - according to scientists, such a person commits disbelief (kufr). Anyone who does not fast without a good reason for it, but does not deny obligatory observance of it is a fasik (wicked, sinner).

What does fasting during Ramadan involve?

During fasting from dawn (according to the calendar, this is the time when the Fajr prayer begins) until sunset (when the Maghrib prayer begins), Muslims should not eat, drink or enter into marital intimacy. Before dawn and after sunset, all this is permitted.

In addition to abstaining from water, food and marital relations, for the fast to be valid it is also necessary to mentally express the intention for the fast. This may simply be an awareness of the fact that tomorrow a person will be fasting. Also, any action or thought that indicates the determination to fast will be considered niyat (intention), such as suhoor (eating shortly before Fajr prayer), or the inner decision to rise from sleep to perform suhoor, or consuming large amounts of food during dinner in order to free yourself from eating shortly before the onset of Fajr prayer.

The intention will be valid if a person made it from night before dawn until shortly before noon (before Zuhr prayer). The intention must be made before each day of fasting. As mentioned above, some actions - for example, eating before dawn - will also be considered an intention.

What breaks the fast?

Ingestion of food or water into the stomach, as well as inhalation of smoke (smoking - for smokers), sexual intercourse, as well as the release of semen - for men, as a result of caresses that led to the release of semen.

Who does not fast in Ramadan:

Women are not allowed to fast during Ramadan during menstruation (haid) or postpartum bleeding (nifas). If a woman fasts during Haida or Nifas, it is considered a sin. Missed days of fasting will need to be made up later.

Mentally ill people do not fast, as well as children who have not reached the age of bulug (puberty, after which a person becomes an adult according to Sharia: for boys this is 12-15 years old, for girls - 9-15, the age of majority is counted from the beginning of the first wet dream or menstruation , or upon reaching the specified age, even if signs of adulthood have not occurred).

Pregnant women and nursing mothers, travelers (musafirs), and patients who know that their condition may worsen due to fasting may also not fast. Because the Quran says (meaning): “Those who are able to fast only with incredible hardship should feed the poor” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 184).

However, these categories of people (unlike women in the state of Haida and Nifas) can fast if they feel good and believe that it will not harm their health.

According to Sharia, a traveler (musafir) is a person who has traveled more than 88 km from his settlement (according to the Hanafi madhhab) and intends to stay in his place of stay for less than 15 days. In addition, in order for a traveler to be allowed not to fast, it is necessary that the journey continues until the end of the day. Anyone who, while still at home, began to fast, and then went on a journey during the day, is not allowed to break the fast, that is, to break the fast.

However, days of fasting missed for such valid reasons (in particular, women during Haidah and Nifas) will definitely need to be made up after the end of Ramadan (at any time during the year, but preferably before the start of the next Ramadan).

People who have some kind of chronic illness, when they cannot go without food for a long time (for example, diabetes mellitus, stomach ulcers or other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract), are exempt from fasting.

If a person knows (from his own experience or as determined by a reliable doctor, preferably a Muslim) that his condition is worsening from prolonged fasting, he does not have to fast. If there is hope that his condition will improve, he can postpone the fast to another time (for example, in winter or autumn, when the days are shorter). If the illness is of such a nature that no improvement is expected, then the person does not fast at all; instead, he must pay the so-called. fidiyah-sadaqah, compensation for fasting.

It must be borne in mind that if the moment comes that a person feels relief from his illness and is able to fast, he will need to make up the fasts for all the years he missed, even if he gave monetary compensation instead of fasting.

How to better prepare for the arrival of Ramadan and fasting

While there is very little left until Ramadan, you should prepare as best as possible for its arrival.

What can be done:

• First of all, try to obtain reliable knowledge about fasting - find good literature or ask knowledgeable people - what is necessary for the validity of fasting, and what violates it, for whom fasting is obligatory, and who is exempt from observing it, and the like; Find a reliable schedule for when fasting begins and ends in your area. It is very important for sisters to decide on the beginning and end of Haida (menstruation), since a woman should not fast during Haida.

•Read more religious literature and listen to lectures on the importance and significance of Ramadan, its values ​​and blessings;

• If you know how, read the Koran - it is known that the righteous predecessors increased the reading of the Koran during the months of Sha'ban and Ramadan;

• Try to maintain at least a few days of additional fasting in the month of Sha'ban - there are many benefits in this, and in this way you will gradually adjust yourself and your body to a regime of obligatory fasting.

• If you still have debts from the obligatory fast from the previous Ramadan , try to repay them before the next one (however, if you do not have time to repay all the fasts, this does not mean that you should not keep the obligatory fast!);

• If you have recently suffered a serious illness or have any health problems, get tested and consult with a trusted doctor (preferably a Muslim, but you can consult a non-Muslim if there is no Muslim doctor in your area) whether you can fast. The Almighty does not require unnecessary zeal from a person, which can harm health; our health is an amanat entrusted to us, for which we will be responsible. The same applies to pregnant and lactating women who want to fast despite their condition.

• Try to give up bad habits (for example, smoking - for smokers), do not spend nights on social networks, adhere to the correct daily routine - go to bed early and get up early, eat healthy and high-quality food, this way you will strengthen your health before starting the fast.

Frequently asked questions regarding fasting during Ramadan:

If he began to hold fasts not from the moment of puberty (coming of age), but several years later, should he make up for the fasts for the missed years?

The obligation to keep a fast rests with a person from the moment of bulug (puberty, for girls - from the first menstruation and for boys - from the first emission), so if a person for some reason does not begin to fast at this age - due to ignorance, lack of knowledge or religious education, he needs to make up for missed posts. This can be done at any time of the year, consecutively or separately, except for days when fasting is not advisable or prohibited (such as holidays).

Is fasting accepted if you do not perform namaz (do not wear a hijab, do not perform other religious duties)?

The individual will be responsible for observing each religious obligation separately. So even if you do not yet perform namaz or perform other religious duties, this is not a reason for not fasting in Ramadan. If all the conditions for the validity of the fast are met, inshaAllah, the Almighty will accept it, although, of course, one must try to comply with other regulations of Sharia.

What are suhoor and iftar, are they obligatory?

Suhur is the meal before the beginning of fasting, iftar is the evening meal after the end of fasting.

Eating before fasting (suhoor) is sunnah and highly desirable. Iftar - breaking the fast after the end of the fast - at least with a sip of water - is considered obligatory; you cannot fast for several days in a row, without a break.

If you don’t want to break your fast because of your period, is it possible to take special hormonal medications that delay the onset of your menstrual cycle in order to fast throughout Ramadan without interruption?

This is acceptable, but is considered undesirable. Taking such medications may have side effects such as cycle shifts, which may lead to problems with performing salah (or performing Hajj and Umrah) in the future. Moreover, these drugs are not harmless from a medical point of view.

In general, many women worry that their periods have arrived, and they cannot pray or fast, especially if their periods last a long time, a week or more. At the heart of this sadness is the misconception that a woman does nothing during Haida and does not earn any reward. This is wrong. Abstinence from fasting and prayer itself is submission to the command of Allah, compliance with His prohibition. And for this, inshaAllah, there is a reward. That is, the very removal from fasting here turns out to be a good thing (if, of course, the woman knows about the prohibition, does not consciously fast, and fasts outside of menstruation). And taking pills turns out to be some kind of bypass of this prohibition, acceptable, but unnecessary in the vast majority of cases.

Can a woman visit a gynecologist or use medications that are administered through the intimate organs (suppositories and the like)?

Traditionally, Islamic scholars believed that inserting medicine or an instrument soaked in medicine into the private parts broke the fast, since the genitals were believed to be connected to the digestive system. However, since it turned out that there is no such connection (between these organs), modern scientists have decided that visiting a doctor or injecting medications into intimate organs does not break fasting.

If a woman gets her period while fasting, can she eat? Or, conversely, what should she do if her period stops during the day of fasting? Will her post be valid in this case?

If she gets her period while fasting, she can eat, but she must try to do it in such a way that fasting people do not see it. She will need to make up this day of fasting after Ramadan (even if her period started a few minutes before Iftar).

In general, it is considered undesirable (makruh) to be in the public eye of those who are fasting, even for those people who do not fast for some valid reason (pregnant women, women during Haida, travelers).

If, on the other hand, a woman ends her period during a day of fasting, she should fast until the end of the day out of respect for Ramadan, although this day will still need to be replenished afterwards.

May Allah make Ramadan blessed for us and allow us to spend it as best as possible! Muslima (Anya) Kobulova

Taken from Azan.kz website

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Also read the following materials about Ramadan on our website:

The month of Ramadan and obligatory fasting - in questions and answers (1)

The month of Ramadan and obligatory fasting (2) – women's issues

Month of Ramadan and obligatory fasting (3)

Is fasting accepted if a person does not perform namaz or perform other religious duties?

Brief fiqh of the post

Memo for fasting people: what does and does not break fasting

How to spend time in Ramadan: advice from Abu Ali al-Ashari
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