RAMADAN.........What is It?

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gurrato_alaien

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Peace be upon you all

First: I’d like to congratulate Islamic nation, may God grant as all blessing, and forgiveness and gracing during this month.
And may God guide all members here to the truth.

second: Introducing of ramadan

RAMADAN…What is It?

Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or arramad intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramdaa, sunbaked sand, and the famous proverb: “Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar” - to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. And in a hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) said : “The prayer of repenters is due when the young camel can feel the sun’s heat early in the morning.”(Muslim)

Thus, the Ramadan is so called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst. Others said it is so called because Ramadan scorches out the sins burns the ground. Some said it is so called because the hearts and souls are more readily receptive to the admonition and remembrance of Allah during Ramadan, ad the sand and stones are receptive to the sun’s heat. The framers of this beautiful language may have been
inspired by Allah (SWT) in naming this month Ramadan. Otherwise, the
relation between the heat and its properties is miraculously similar to that of Ramadan. While the heat represents the matter that helps shape, form, and mold virtually every matter, from metal and plastics, to plants and living cells-Ramadan undoubtedly helps a serious believe remold,reshape, reform, and renew his physical and spiritual disposition and behaviour.

FASTING:

Fasting, siyamm, has two meanings. Generally, siyaam or sawm, is derived
from the root sama, to retrain from normal things, such as eating,
drinking, and talking. If an individual refrains from these things, he is considered saaim, the observer of fast. Al-Qur’an uses the word generally when it revealed the conversation between the angel and Mary, the of Jesus, as the angel instructed her "And if you do see any man say, “I have vowed to remain silent for Allah”. (Al-Qur’an 19:26)

The phrase “to remain silent,” is the interpretation of the Arabic word “sawm”. The reason for this interpretation is that “sawm” cannot mean fast, i.e. restraint from food, because Mary had just been told to eat from the palm tree. This general meaning is common in the Arabic language.

In the Shari’ah (Islamic law) the “sawm” means and implies a specific act , which is, “to worship Allah, abstaining, with intention to please Him from fast breakers, such as physical nourishment, food, drink, and sexual
intercourse a lustful discharge of semen from the period between the break of dawn until sundown.”

As this definition implies, the Islamic fasting is total abstinence fromany food, particles passing through the mouth or nose, as well as drinks of any kind - water, milk, juice, etc. - along with abstinence from sexual association during the day that commences from the break of dawn till sunset.

Although the definition indicated restraining the stomach and private parts, the tongue, eyes ears and other limbs are equally obligated to berestrained if the faster want to gain the total rewards of fasting. This is why the Messenger of Allah (saas) has been reported as saying in hadith by Abu Hurairah: “He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn’t eat or drink.” (Bukhari, Muslim). In another hadith by abu Harairah (raa),
the Prophet (saas) said: “Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say (to them) ‘I am fasting; I am fasting.’”(IbnKhuzaoinah)

Indeed, these two reports imply fasting will not be complete until oneobserves three elements:
  1. Restraining the stomach and the private parts from the break of the fast food and drinks.
  2. Restraining the jawarih, the other body parts, which may render the fast worthless despite the main factor of hunger and thirst; so the tongue,for instance, must avoid backbiting, slander, and lies; the eyes should avoid looking into things considered by the Lawgiver as unlawful; the ears must stop from listening to conversation, words, songs, and lyrics that spoil the spirit of fasting; and,
  3. Restraining of the heart, and mind from indulging, themselves in other things besides dhikir Allah (remembrance of Allah).
To be cont.
 
Cont…

narrated abu huraira

Allah`s Abostle said
fasting is ashield (or ascreen or ashelter). so the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently , and if some body fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice “I am fasting” the prophet added, " by him in whose hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk." ( Allah says about the fasting person) ," he has left his food, drink and desires for my sake. the fast is for me . so I will reward (the fasting person )for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

narrated sah
the prophet said " there is a gate in paradise called Al- Riayan , and those who observe fasts will enter through it. it will be said" where are those who used to observe fasts? they will get up , and non exept them will enter through it . after thier entry the gate will be closed and no body will enter through it ."

narrated Ibn umar
Allah`s Apostle said " when the month of ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained"

narrated Abu huraira
the prophet said " whoever established prayers in the night of qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah , then all his previous sins will be forgiven ,and whoever fasts in the month of ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah , then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

narrated Abu Huraira
the prophet said " whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions , Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.(i.e Allah will not accept his fasting
 
Cont…

The holy month of Ramadan enjoys a special importance in the Islamic calendar. As the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “It is Allah’s Own month.” It is the chief of all months and the most glorious one. As we already know, ‘Fasting’ is one of the important pillars of Islam and it is the very month of Ramadan during which fasting has been made obligatory for all adults and sane Muslims. By fasting during Ramadan, a Muslim besides discharging an obligation imposed upon him by Allah, becomes entitled to great reward in the Hereafter. On the other hand, any lapse in the matter amounts to a great sin. Fasting is an article of worship, the knowledge about the performance or otherwise whereof rests only with Allah and the person concerned. Hence, it is Allah alone who will reward that person for it, on the Day of Judgment.

The blessings of Ramadan are not limited to fasting alone, because the performance of all sorts of worship and good deeds during this month is also a source of great Divine favor. The revelation of the Holy Qur’an commenced during this very month and it is therefore the duty of every Muslim to read and try to understand the meaning of the Holy Qur’an and thereby gain an insight into the Divine secrets enshrined therein. It brings peace and illumination to the mind and imparts purity to the soul.

Ramadan is the month of fasting, intensive prayer, sacrifice and Divine worship. Throughout this month a devout Muslim fasts during the day in the true sense of the word, that is, he had merely denies himself food and water, but as explained by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), exercises strict control over his tongue, eyes, ears, thoughts and deeds and does everything possible to seek the pleasure of Allah.

The holy month of Ramadan, besides being the month of worship and Divine blessings, carries a historical importance as well. As already mentioned above, the revelations of the Holy Qur’an commenced in this month. The epoch-making ‘Battle of Badr’ and the ‘Conquest of Mecca’ also took place during the holy month of Ramadan.

Peace.
 
Assalam Alaykum, gurrato alaien…

Aren’t you about two days early? 😃 (I can’t wait till Lent!)
 
Ramadan mubaarak!

I was in Damascus at the start of Ramadan a few years ago (when it started in late December). Hoo, boy, you did not want to be a pedestrian on the streets when sundown approached :bigyikes: On the other hand, after sundown there wasn’t a car to be seen 😃

DaveBj
 
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