Why do we fast

Sura 2 - Al-Baqara (MADINA) : Verse 183
O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may observe taqwa.

This is the verse that tells us why we fast.

We don't fast to lose weight, to become healthier, to cure diseases, to cleanse the system. At least not according to Almighty Allah in his message. Some may experience these results, but the reason for fasting is so that you may observe تَتَّقُونَ , tataqun.

Tataqun is observing your duties and obligations to Allah SWT, being aware of the Divine ordinances and observing them.

What are these duties:

In the words of our noble Prophet Muhammad SAW in his Ramadan message:

"Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard. Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your the wrongs yo have committed and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times".

Fasting is the only act that one does only for that sake of Allah SWT. It is the only form of worship that is witnessed only by Allah SWT.

As a result of the Taqwa observed during this month, there is a miraculous transformation taking place in the world. No other event in the world, including, World Cup Soccer, comes close to achieving this grip and transformation for so long, on so many lives, over 1.2 billion, There is no other event or observance that involves so many people in so many parts of the world. There is no other faith or circumstance that causes such change, sacrifice, awareness of Almighty God, devotion, social harmony, exodus to places of worship, sharing, abstinence and display of true brotherhood.

This is in fact an annual miracle. And Al Hamdulillah, we are part of it and contribute to making it a reality.

We should therefore take advantage of the power and nature of this month to try and correct the misconceptions of Islam and Muslims. Let our voices and actions shout out to the world the Peace, Love, Harmony and Brotherhood of Humanity that is Islam.Let our friends, neighbors, co-workers and everyone else know who we are and what are our principles. If we do this in the right way, we would have succeeded in a great Dawa.

May we have a successful Ramadan 1432 (2010) and may we have the desire and ability to fulfill our duties and obligations in this powerful and gracious month, In Shah Allah.

Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the fast that we have fasted for Allah SWT will be accepted, as are all good done for the sake of Allah SWT..

Ramadan Basics

Ramadan

The following has been presented to explain, according to Allah's Book of instructions, Al Quran and instructions for our Noble Prophet, Muhammad SAW.

Information pertaining to this wonderful and blessed month that hopefully would clarify some of the misconceptions.

Why do you fast:

Quran: 2:183 O YOU who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God:

When do you fast:

Quran2:185 It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you is alive during this month shall fast throughout it.

Conclusion: You are to fast from the beginning of the month (birth of the moon) of Ramadan to the beginning of the month of Shawaal (birth of the moon).

Who may not fast:

Quran2:184 ....but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you praise God for His having guided you aright, and that you give thanks to Him.

Sunrise and Sunset

For computational purposes, sunrise or sunset is defined to occur when the geometric zenith distance of center of the Sun is 90.8333
degrees. That is, the center of the Sun is geometrically 50 arcminutes below a horizontal plane. For an observer at sea level with a level, unobstructed
horizon, under average atmospheric conditions, the upper limb of the Sun will then appear to be tangent to the horizon. In simple terms, when the top of the sun is at the same level as the horizon in your area, it is sunrise and sunset respectively.

Breaking of Fast:

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 175:

Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab: Allah's Apostle said, "When night falls from this side and the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets, then the fasting person should break his fast."

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 178:

Narrated Sahl bin Sad: Allah's Apostle said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."

Conclusion: You are to hasten to break you fast, that is at sunset.

Tarawih Salaat

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 227:

Narrated Abu Huraira: " Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Apostle died and the people continued observing Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation, and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of 'Umar's Caliphate." 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Abdul Qari said, "I went out in the company of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, 'Umar said, 'In my opinion I would better collect these people under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) and let them pray in congregation!. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka'b. Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, 'Umar remarked, 'What an excellent Bid'a (i.e. innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.' He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night."

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 229:

Narrated 'Urwa: That he was informed by 'Aisha, "Allah's Apostle went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, the people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night). In the next morning the people again talked about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people. Allah's Apostle came out and the people prayed behind him. On the fourth night the Mosque was overwhelmed with people and could not accommodate them, but the Prophet came out (only) for the morning prayer. When the morning prayer was finished he recited Tashah-hud and (addressing the people) said, "Amma ba'du, your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night prayer (Qiyam) should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it on." So, Allah's Apostle died and the situation remained like that (i.e. people prayed individually). "

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 230:

Narrated Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman: that he asked 'Aisha "How was the prayer of Allah's Apostle in Ramadan?" She replied, "Hedid not pray more than eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four Rakat ---- let alone their beauty and length----and then he would pray four ----let alone their beauty and length ----and then he would pray three Rakat (Witr)." She added, "I asked, 'O Allah's Apostle! Do you sleep before praying the Witr?' He replied, 'O 'Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."

As you can see most instructions and guidance are quite straightforward and simple, if we follow Alla's guidance and our exemplar.

May we be able to heed the above and may we have love and harmony among men.