Hey guys and welcome back to my blog, Ramadan is fast approaching, in fact it's starting on the 15th of May! As there's less than a week away I thought would tell you guys a brief overview about it.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Throughout this month we fast, meaning we don't eat or drink anything for a certain amount of time (from before dawn until dusk). The month starts and ends with the sighting of the moon. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, these are things that every Muslim must do! The purpose of fasting is to feel what those in poverty feel, it is a spiritual experience to humble ourselves so we know what it feels liked to be deprived. It is a time to reflect and repent and a time to get close to Allah s.w.t as the Shaitan (Satan) is locked up and the doors of hell are closed. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious Jinns are put in chains and the door of hell are closed, none of them remains open. The doors of heaven are open and none of them remains closed. And a caller calls, ‘O the seeker of goodness, come forward and o the seeker of evil, desist. And Allah has (many) who will be freed from Hell.’
Fasts should be broken with kajoor (dates), the prophet Muhammad s.a.w said “When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; but if he cannot get any, then (he should break his fast) with water, for water is purifying.“ Dates are mentioned over 20 times in the Qur'an and have many health benefits for example they rejuvenate your energy after a long day of not eating anything as they are high in sugar, fiber, minerals, phytonutrients, and (when fresh) vitamin C as well as containing potassium, magnesium, iron, and small amounts of protein and fat. Dates are easily digested and are therefore a quick source of energy and nutrients and can help the body’s blood glucose levels quickly return to normal. Consumption of dates before a meal will satisfy the sensation of hunger, which helps avoid overeating.
During Ramadan we pray an extra Salah, Taraweeh. Taraweeh is read with the last salah - Isha - the night before we keep the roza (the fast). Many people believe that reading Taraweeh is compulsory, however, this is not the case. Even though it's not compulsory it is preferred and unlike the other prayers there isn't a fixed amount of rakaats you need to read, t's quality over quantity.
Before closing and opening the fast, Muslims must make the intention to do so. We do this with Duas (prayers):
Dua at the Beginning of the Fast
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan
I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan
Dua at the End of the Fast
اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَليْكَ تَوَكّلتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa ala rizq-ika-aftartu
O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance
IMPORTANT DAYS DURING RAMADAN
Ramadan is broken up into three sections, all consisting of 10 days each. The first ten days we should pray for Rahmat (mercy), the second ten days we should pray for Maghfirat (forgiveness) and the last ten days we should pray for Nijat (protection from the hell fire).
Laylat-ul-Qadr, the night of destiny or power.
Most people believe that this day falls on the 27th roza but it's not confirmed so some people choose to do ibadaat (worshiping all night) at home on the 21st, 23rd, 25th and 29th just to be sure or stay in the mosque without communicating with anyone about worldly affairs for the last ten days.. This is an important date as it is the date the Qur'an was revealed to the prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. It is said that on Laylat al-Qadr, the gates of heaven open and forgiveness is poured down, and is regarded as "better than a thousand months" of prayer and devotion, as on this night angels descend to earth.
Dua for Laylat-ul-Qadr:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ اَلْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنَّا
Allahumma innaka affuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa fu anna
O Allah, You are the Pardoner and You love to pardon, so pardon us
Benefits of fasting
Fasting has many benefits. It purifies the soul and we grow closer to Allah as this month is based solely around him and not of the distractions of this Dunya (world). Also Shaitaan is turned away from those who are fasting.
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Laylat Al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Fasting allows us to develop strength and self-restraint and has many health benefits as well as religious benefits.
It boosts your metabolism, lowers blood pressure, decreases blood sugar, promotes heart health, improves growth regulation and cell recycling and may slow aging!
Fasting also can enhance recovery from injury meaning you heal faster as well as promoting a healthy stress response and protecting the brain.
THINGS TO REFRAIN FROM DURING RAMADAN
swearing
backbiting
lying
cheating
eating and drinking
listening to music
fighting
missing prayers etc.
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it.” (Bukhari)
PERIODS IN RAMADAN
Although periods are a blessing from Allah s.w.t women cannot fast when they are on their period. If a woman starts her period before sunset she must break her fast and it isn't accepted, even if it is just one minute before iftaari! However, these fasts have to be made up outside of Ramadan as they are obligatory.
MY RAMADAN GOALS
This Ramadan I want to finish a Qur'an, I say this every year but have never actually managed to finish one on my own but Inshallah I will this year. I also want to read some Islamic books and post more "learning abut my religion" blog posts.
Throughout Ramadan I also want to give up certain foods like biscuits, chocolate and generally all junk (apart from mini rolls and marshmallows because just can't.)
During Ramadan I will be posting daily food logs with a summary of what I achieved that day and what I ate, I will also be posting one regular post every Sunday (hopefully).
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Stay Modest and Fabulous,
Love Your SimpleHijabi x