Ramadhan and Taqwa A More On Islam Series

Ramadhan and Taq’wa A More On Islam Series Presentation. Edited by: A. S. Hashim, MD Turning Client Vision Into Results 1

RAMADHAN 2 The Blessed Month of Fasting Time to purify and train body and soul A quick and easy summary on the meaning, purpose and benefits of fasting in Islam. A More On Islam Series Presentation.

A warm welcome to you! 3 The month of Ramadhan is almost over. This, we expect, would help to explore more about Ramadhan, and appreciate the significance of this blessed month. Introduction We hope that this presentation will make your fasting purposeful and rewarding. In another way, this is Ramadan gift for you. 3 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Ramadan – sacred month in the Islamic Calendar 4 Islamic Calendar or the Hijri Calendar is based on the lunar year. 1 3 2 Muharram Safar 6 5 4 Jumadi al Awwal Rabi at thani 7 10 Jumadi at thani 9 8 Rajab Rabi al Awwal Shaban Ramadan 11 12 Shawwal. It is obligatory Dhu al Qaidah Dhu alto Hijjah on Muslims fast in this month. 4 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Fasting means abstinence 5 To stop eating, drinking and sexual activity from dawn until dusk X XX 5 Smoking is also prohibited during fasting ! This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Very natural, very considerate religion People who are exempted from fasting 6 “… but whoever is sick or upon a journey, then he shall fast a like number of other desires ease for you, Minors Aged* days; Allah Sick** Traveler** and He does not desire for you difficulty, and He desires that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks. ” -Quran- 2: 185 Pregnant Women** 6 Suckling Women** Menstruating Women** Mentally Retarded * Should donate a meal to the needy * * Should fast an equivalent number of days afterwards This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Why fasting? 7 The goal of fasting is to develop self-restraint. Holy Quran states: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so you may develop Taq'wa (self-restraint)Example: ” [2: 183] God says about Mary in the Quran that she said: “Verily!, I have vowed a fast to the Most High…[Maryam 19: 26]. What is Ta’qwa? Love of God + Taq'wa is an Arabic word. It is the state of heart that motivates virtuous conduct and prevents or avoids evil action. Fear of God leads to Taq'wa (Self-restraint) Taq'wa is the ability to safe-guard. 7 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Taq'wa 8 4 Taq'wa is the Islamic concept of having self-restraint. 4 It is used 251 times in the Holy Quran as either a noun or a verb. 4 The term Taq'wa comes from the Arabic root “wa-qa-ya” which means “protection. ” 4 It is important to note that Taq'wa is not about performing religious obligations such as prayer and fasting; Taq'wa is about living a pious life. 4 A person attaining Taq'wa abandons living an animalistic life and chooses to live a moral life. 4 The concept of human beings having to fear God actually refers to fearing the rule of divine justice. This notion is seen in the following supplication: ﻋﺪﻟﻪ ﺍﻻ ﻳﺨﺎﻑ ﻭﻻ ، ﻓﻀﻠﻪ ﺍﻻ ﻳﺮﺟی ﻻ ﻣﻦ O Who is not hoped but for His favor, and is not feared but His justice 8 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

“A great blessed month…” 9 Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) address on the eve of Ramadhan: “ 4 People, a great blessed month has come upon you. 4 Allah has made fasting during it an obligation, and steadfastly observing its nights in worship a voluntary act. 4 Whoever undertakes an act of obedience to Allah during this month with a righteous deed, it is as if he has performed an obligatory act at other times, 4 and whoever performs an obligatory act during it is as one who performed seventy obligations at other times. 4 It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. 9 4 It is the month of goodwill, during which provisions are multiplied. This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Ramadhan Time-table: What does fasting involve? 10 Eating before dawn Special Prayers Eating, drinking and sexual activity permitted Night Day Eating, drinking and sexual activity forbidden Special Prayers Break fast 10 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Fasting and sins don’t go together 11 Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “ Allah has no need for the hunger and the thirst of the person who does not restrain from telling lies and acting on them even while observing fast. ” “ When one of you is fasting, He should abstain from indecent acts and foul talk, and if someone begins an obscene conversation or tries to pick an argument, he should simply tell him, ‘I am fasting. ’” 11 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Annual training for character-building 12 Ramadhan provides an annual training opportunity that is meant to fulfil the characterbuilding needs for the rest of the year. Ramadhan Rest of the year 12 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Benefits of Fasting in Islam : How character-building is achieved… 13 God-fearing nature Afterlife Accountability Patience Fasting Taq'wa (Selfrestraint) Self-control Self-discipline Responsibility Obedience Purification of soul 13 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Days of Ramadan 14 God’s Mercy God’s Forgiveness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Salvation from Hell-fire 14 Accordingly, Let's beg for Allah’s mercy, His forgiveness and salvation from the hell-fire This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Reward of fasting 15 Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) proclaimed the reward of fasting: “Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me. ’ for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk. ” 15 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Developing ethics through fasting: Social responsibility and Individual morality 16 Muhammad Asad (formerly Leopold Weiss) perspective on fasting in his book Road to Mecca Social responsibilit y Selfdiscipline Islamic Ethics 16 “Two-fold , I learned is the purpose of fasting. One has to abstain from food and drink in order to feel in one’s body what the poor and hungry feel. Thus, social responsibility is being hammered into religious consciousness as a religious postulate. The other purpose of fasting during Ramadan is selfdiscipline, an aspect of individual morality strongly accentuated in all Islamic teachings (as for instance in the total prohibition of all intoxicants which Islam regards as too easy avenue of escape from consciousness and responsibility). In these two elements- brotherhood of man and individual self-discipline- began to discern the outlines of Islam’s ethical outlook. ” This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Ramadhan: Cultivating feelings for poor and hungry 17 These are familiar images from Africa. But poor and hungry people may be present in your neighbourhood. Do you feel how the your neighbourhood. hungry and thirsty feel? Photo courtesy: Reliefonline. org and refugeecamp. org The condition of hunger gets highlighted on each fasting person leading to: Ü Care and concern for the poor and hungry Ü Helping attitude towards have-nots Ü Charity and donations Ü Refrain from wasting food and drinks. Ü Social responsibility 17 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

The month of the Revelation of the Holy Quran 18 “The month of Ramadhan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction”- Holy Quran 2: 185 Do you know this about the Quran? And in truth We have made the Quran easy to remember; but is there any that remembers? - Holy Quran 54: 17 18 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Fasting for good health 19 Recent Perspectives by others 1. “Fasting gives the body the environment to heal itself--physiologic rest” “Fast and you shall become healthy” -Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) 2. “Abstinence from food for a short time can in no way operate to the disadvantage of a normal person. ” 3. “In fact, individuals affected with certain types of gastrointestinal disorders are benefited by fasting. ” 4. “Fasting has also been used in cases of diabetes and obesity. ” Stated 1400 years ago 5. “It is a cleansing process and a physiologic or functional rest which prepares the body for future correct living. ” 19 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

The role of fasting according to Dr Jack Goldstein* 20 It gives vital organs a complete rest It promotes elimination of metabolic wastes Fasting is good for the human body It allows the body to adjust and normalize its biochemistry and also its secretions It lets the body break down and absorb swellings, deposits, diseased tissues, and abnormal growths; It restores a youthful condition to the cells and tissues It increases the powers of digestion and assimilation (absorption and utilization of food into the system) It permits the conservation and re-routing of energy; It clears and strengthens the mind; 20 * From the Book Triumph Over Disease By Fasting and Natural Diet This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Misbeliefs about fasting* 21 4 Fasting does not: 4 cause the stomach to atrophy 4 paralyze the bowels 4 deplete the blood 4 produce anemia 4 cause the heart to weaken or collapse 4 produce deficiency or mal-nutritional disease 4 reduce resistance to disease 4 harm the teeth, the nervous system, glands or vital organs 4 weaken the vital powers or cause mental disturbances. Blood sugar is little depressed; it is synthesized from protein. * From the Book Triumph Over Disease By Fasting and Natural Diet 21 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Major Events in Ramadhan 22 Date Year Hijrah. Year AD Major Events 17 Ramadhan 2 624 Battle of Badr 15 Ramadhan 3 625 Birth of Imam Hasan 10 Ramadhan 8 630 Prophet: Conquered Mecca 3 Ramadhan 9 631 set out for the Battle of Tabuk 10 Ramadhan 3 yrs before H. 617 Khadijah died 19 Ramadhan 40 667 Wounding of Ali, while praying 21 Ramadhan 40 667 Wafat of Imam Ali: on Leilatul Qadr 10 Ramadhan 60 691 Husain receives the first deputation of 35 letters urging him to go to Kufa 7 Ramadhan 361 970 Construction of Al-Azhar by the Fatimi 8 Ramadhan 1333 1925 Destruction of Ahlul Bayt shrines in Medina This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Special Days in Ramadhan: Revelations 23 Quran Qadr Ramadhan Bible 12 th 6 th Torah 18 th Psalms This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

In a Nutshell: 24 4 Ramadhan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. 4 Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. 4 The fast (sawn) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. 4 In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims also increase restraint, such as abstaining from sexual relations and generally sinful speech and behavior. 4 The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from impurities. 4 Ramadhan also teaches Muslims how to better practice selfdiscipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat). 24 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

About Taq’wa 25 4 Taq'wa is the prerequisite for a person who wants to live his life by certain principles, whether they are religious or not, and he is to have a clear direction in order to move towards a specific goal. 4 In religious context, Taq'wa is the quality of those who protect themselves from all what is considered by religion as wrong and sinful. 4 In stating this, there are two kinds of Taq'wa: 4 the first is just to avoid facing situations, in which sins may take place and this is the quality of the weak people and leads to seclusion and isolation, (Preventive) 4 while the second is to face challenges and remain persistent and this is the quality of those who are strong in their faith and can play an active role in society. (Proactive) 25 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

About Taq’wa 26 4 The Quran prescribes fasting for believers in these words: 4 ﻭ ﺍﻳ ﻯ ﺍ ﺍ ﺍﻟ آﻭﺍ ﺍﻳ ﺍ ﺍ 4 “O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so you may attain Taq'wa” (2: 183). 4 Taq'wa in Ramadhan is a measure of a man’s genuine worth. 4 The best of men is the one with the most Taq'wa. 4 In Allah’s measure, the worth are not the ones with riches and position, but rather those with Taq'wa especially in Ramadhan. 4 The faithful Muslim endeavors to attain Taq'wa, especially in Ramadhan. 26 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

About compensation for Taq’wa 27 4 ﻳ ﺍ ﺍﻟ ﺍ ﻯ ﺍﻭﺍ 4 And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden as extensive as the heavens and the earth, it is for individuals of Taq'wa. 4 When asked, the Messenger of Allah pointed to his heart saying: “Taq'wa is over here” three times, 4 In fact, Taq'wa in Ramadhan is a level of earnestness one can’t guarantee effectively. 4 Ramadhan in any event gives and encourages a gigantic chance to land at such level of Taq’wa, if the guidelines of Ramadan were watched honorably. 27 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

28 102 -103 آﻴﺔ - 3 ﺳﻮﺭﺓ - ﺳﻮﺭﺓ آﻞ ﻋﻤﺮﺍﻥ : Taq’wa The Commandment to pursue Taq’wa: 4 4 ﻭ ﺍ ﺍ ﺍﻟ ﻭﺍ ﺍ آﻭﺍ ﺍﻳ ﺍ ﺍ 4 ﺍﺍ ﻭ ﺍ ﺍﻟ ﺍﻭﺍ ﺍ ﻳﺍ ﺍﻟ ﺍﻭﺍ 4 ﻭ آﺍ ﺍﻟ ﺍ ﺍ ﺍﻟ ﺍ ﻯ 4 O ye who believe! HEED ALLAH as He should be heeded, and die not except in a state of Islam. And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favor you became brethren; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire, then He saved you from it, thus does Allah make His Signs clear to you, that you may follow the right way. 28 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

29 Ramadhan at IEC: Praying Together 29 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

Learn more… 30 Please get to know more and change your life. For further information, suggestions and comments contact moreonislam@hotmail. com Thank you and May Allah bless you and reward you aplenty for your fasting Dr. Hashim 30 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com

31 Ramadhan at IEC: Breaking the Fast together 31 This presentation is a part of More on Islam presentation series. For other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail. com