RAMADAN and FASTING RAMADAN and FASTING FIVE PILLARS

RAMADAN and FASTING

RAMADAN and FASTING FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Testimony of Faith Prescribed Prayer Fasting during Ramadan Alms-giving (Annual Charity) The Pilgrimage to Mecca

RAMADAN and FASTING The Creed of Faith To believe in the existence and oneness of God To believe in Angels To believe in the revealed Books of God (including Torah, Gospel and Quran) To believe in Messengers of God To believe in the Afterlife and the Day of Judgment To believe in the Divine Destiny including

RAMADAN and FASTING RAMADAN THE MONTH OVERFLOWING WITH MERCY Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. In this month Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk. “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self restraint. ” (Qur’an 2: 183)

RAMADAN and FASTING RAMADAN THE MONTH OVERFLOWING WITH MERCY “Fasting is not only to restrain from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene acts. ” Hadith (Prophetic Tradition)

RAMADAN and FASTING WHO MUST FAST? • Every Muslim over the age of puberty who is healthy enough to do it must observe Ramadan. • The very young, the permanently sick, the elderly who are weak and the mentally challenged are exempt. Travelers, women in their menses, and women in labor or after childbirth are excused with the chance to make it up afterwards.

RAMADAN and FASTING THE FORMAT OF FASTING • Two meals a day: Sahoor and Iftar

RAMADAN and FASTING THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING DURING RAMADAN • Fasting is the key to a true, comprehensive thanksgiving.

RAMADAN and FASTING THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING DURING RAMADAN • Fasting is a time of self-discipline and self training of the ego

RAMADAN and FASTING THE IMPORTANCE OF FASTING DURING RAMADAN • Fasting breaks the ego’s illusory lordship, reminding it that it is a helpless servant, completely dependent on God’s mercy and compassion.

RAMADAN and FASTING RAMADAN THE MONTH OF QUR’AN • Ramadan, above all, is the month of the Qur’an. “It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man…” (Qur ’an 2: 185)

RAMADAN and FASTING RAMADAN • Then comes the ‘EID “Eid Mubarak” “A blessed Feast to you!”