Fasting Islam intro – English Fasting Islam intro – English – Indonesian Muslim Association in Hong Kong

Fasting Islam intro – English

Fasting Islam intro – English

Fasting in Ramadhan

Fasting is when you refrain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk with the intention of worshiping Allah. It is compulsory for Muslims who have reached puberty, have a sane mind, are not travelling and are not nursing after childbirth. With regards to Muslim women, they cannot fast when they are menstruating. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
 
Ramadhan is a month full of blessings where the reward you get from Allah for doing good deeds and worshiping Him is greater. Therefore it is encouraged for Muslims to pray Tarawih (an optional prayer that is done after Isha prayer), reading the Quran, give to charity and perform Zikr (remembering Allah). 
 
Here are some actions that are encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan with regards to fasting:
 
  • Eating a meal before dawn, preferably right before Fajr prayer
  • Hastening to break the fast
  • Break your fast with dates or water if there are no dates
  • Providing food for others who are breaking their fast