RAMADAN FACTS

RAMADAN FACTS 

Who Must Fast? 

1. Fasting is compulsory for those who are mentally and physically fit, past the age of puberty, in a settled situation (not traveling), and are sure that such fasting is unlikely to cause real physical or mental injury.

Exemptions from Fasting (some exemptions are optional)

2. Children under the age of puberty (young children are encouraged to fast as much as they are able.)

3. People who are mentally incapacitated or not responsible for their actions

4. The elderly

5. The sick

6. Travelers who are on journeys of more than about fifty miles

7. Pregnant women and nursing mothers

8. Women who are menstruating

9. Those who are temporarily unable to fast must make up the missed days at another time or feed the poor.

Special Events 

10. During Ramadan there are special prayers, also called taraweeh, performed daily after the night time prayer, also called isha prayer.

11. Lailat ul-Qadr (“Night of Power” or “Night of Destiny”) marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. Muslims believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered ten nights of Ramadan.

Traditional Practices 

12. Breaking the daily fast with a few dates

13. Reading the entire Quran during Ramadan

14. Social visits to open the fast with a shared meal are encouraged.

15. Eid ul-Fitr (“Festival of Fast-Breaking”) Prayers at the End of Ramadan

16. Eid begins with special morning prayers on the first day of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan on the Islamic lunar calendar.

17. It is forbidden to perform an optional fast during Eid because it is a time for relaxation.

18. During Eid, Muslims greet each other with the phrase “taqabbalallah Minkom,” or “may God accept your deeds” and “Eid Mubarak” (eed-moo-bar-ak), meaning “blessed Eid”

19. One of the main benefits of Ramadan is an increased compassion for those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification and reflection, and a renewed focus on
spirituality. Muslims also appreciate the feeling of togetherness shared by family and friends throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical benefit is the yearly lesson in self-restraint and discipline that can carry forward to other aspects of a Muslim’s life such as work and education.

20. The Quran is the record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic. It was memorized by Muhammad and then dictated to his companions. The text of the Quran was cross-checked during the life of the Prophet. The 114 chapters of the Quran have remained unchanged through the centuries.Translations of the meaning of the Quran exist in almost all languages.

21.  The Five pillars of Islam:
a) The Declaration of Faith - This consists of the two sentence declaration described above.
b) Prayer - Muslims perform five obligatory prayers each day. Islamic prayers are a direct link between the worshiper and God. Islam has no hierarchical authority or priesthood. A learned Muslim chosen by each congregation leads the prayers.
c) Zakat -One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God and that wealth is held in trust by human beings. Zakat, or charitable giving, “purifies” wealth by setting aside a portion for those in need. This payment is usually two and a half percent of one’s capital. d) Fasting - Every year in the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from first light until sunset. The fast is another method of self-purification.
e) Pilgrimage - A pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, is an obligation for those who are physically or financially able.

22. Jihad does not mean “holy war.” Literally, jihad means to strive, struggle and exert effort. It is a central and broad Islamic concept that includes struggle against evil inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality of life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self-defense (e.g.,having a standing army for national defense), or fighting against tyranny or oppression.