—Virtues of Ramadan
The rules and regulations (Ahkam) of Ramadan
### *1. Quranic Verse about Ramadan:*
*Arabic:*
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ
*Translation:*
“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.”
*Source:* Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185)
—
### *2. Hadith about the Virtues of Ramadan:*
*Arabic:*
إِذَا دَخَلَ رَمَضَانُ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ، وَصُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ
*Translation:*
“When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.”
*Source:* Sahih al-Bukhari (1899) and Sahih Muslim (1079)
—
### *3. Hadith about Forgiveness in Ramadan:*
*Arabic:*
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
*Translation:*
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
*Source:* Sahih al-Bukhari (38) and Sahih Muslim (760)
—
### *4. Hadith about Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree):*
*Arabic:*
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ * وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ * لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
*Translation:*
“Indeed, We sent it [the Quran] down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
*Source:* Surah Al-Qadr (97:1-3)
—
### *5. Hadith about Generosity in Ramadan:*
*Arabic:*
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ، وَكَانَ أَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ
*Translation:*
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous during Ramadan.”
*Source:* Sahih al-Bukhari (1902)
—
### *6. Hadith about Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal):*
*Arabic:*
تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَةً
*Translation:*
“Take Suhoor, for indeed there is blessing in it.”
*Source:* Sahih al-Bukhari (1923)
—
### *7. Hadith about Fasting as a Shield:*
*Arabic:*
الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ
*Translation:*
“Fasting is a shield.”
*Source:* Sahih al-Bukhari (1894)
—
These Quranic verses and Hadiths emphasize the spiritual significance of Ramadan, including the revelation of the Quran, forgiveness of sins, increased rewards, and the importance of good deeds during this blessed month.
The rules and regulations (Ahkam) of Ramadan
—
### *1. Who is Obliged to Fast?*
– Fasting in Ramadan is *obligatory (Fard)* for every adult Muslim who is:
– Sane (Aqil)
– Physically and mentally capable (Qadir)
– Resident (not traveling, Muqeem)
– Free from any conditions that prevent fasting (e.g., illness, menstruation, postpartum bleeding, etc.).
—
### *2. Intention (Niyyah) for Fasting*
– *Intention is mandatory* for fasting.
– The intention must be made in the heart, and it can be made at any time from sunset until dawn (before Fajr).
– Example of intention: “I intend to fast tomorrow for the month of Ramadan, seeking closeness to Allah.”
—
### *3. Timings of Fasting*
– Fasting begins at *Fajr (dawn)* and ends at *Maghrib (sunset)*.
– *Suhoor (pre-dawn meal):* It is Sunnah to eat Suhoor before Fajr, even if it is a small amount of food or water.
– *Iftar (breaking the fast):* The fast is broken immediately after sunset, preferably with dates or water, followed by Maghrib prayer.
—
### *4. Actions That Invalidate the Fast (Break the Fast)*
The following actions *nullify the fast* and require *Qada (making up the fast)* or *Kaffarah (expiation)* in some cases:
1. *Eating or drinking intentionally.*
2. *Sexual intercourse* during fasting hours (requires Kaffarah: fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people).
3. *Deliberate vomiting.*
4. *Menstruation or postpartum bleeding* (requires Qada only).
5. *Smoking or consuming any substance* that provides nourishment or pleasure.
6. *Intentionally breaking the fast without a valid reason.*
—
### *5. Actions That Do Not Invalidate the Fast*
The following actions *do not break the fast*:
1. *Unintentional eating or drinking* (e.g., forgetting you are fasting).
2. *Taking a shower or swimming* (as long as no water is swallowed).
3. *Using eye drops, ear drops, or nasal sprays* (as long as they do not reach the throat).
4. *Brushing teeth or using Miswak* (as long as no toothpaste or water is swallowed).
5. *Injections or blood tests* (non-nourishing injections are permissible).
—
### *6. Exemptions from Fasting*
The following individuals are *exempt from fasting*, but they must make up the missed fasts later (Qada):
1. *Travelers* (if the journey is long and tiring).
2. *Sick individuals* (if fasting will worsen their condition or delay recovery).
3. *Pregnant or breastfeeding women* (if fasting harms them or their baby).
4. *Elderly or chronically ill individuals* (if they cannot fast, they must feed a poor person for each missed fast, called *Fidya*).
—
### *7. Kaffarah (Expiation) for Breaking the Fast*
– *Kaffarah* is required if a person *intentionally breaks the fast* without a valid reason (e.g., eating, drinking, or engaging in sexual intercourse).
– The penalty is to either:
– Fast for *60 consecutive days*, or
– Feed *60 poor people* (one meal per person).
—
### *8. Taraweeh Prayers*
– *Taraweeh* is a special night prayer performed during Ramadan.
– It is *Sunnah Mu’akkadah* (highly recommended) and is performed after Isha prayer.
– It consists of 8 or 20 Rak’ahs, depending on the school of thought.
—
### *9. Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree)*
– Laylat al-Qadr is the *most blessed night* of Ramadan, mentioned in Surah Al-Qadr (97:1-3).
– It is better than *1,000 months* of worship.
– It is recommended to seek it in the *last 10 nights of Ramadan, especially on the **odd-numbered nights* (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th).
—
### *10. Etiquettes of Fasting*
– Avoid *backbiting, lying, arguing, and sinful behavior*.
– Increase acts of worship, such as *Quran recitation, Dhikr, and charity*.
– Be *generous* and help those in need.
—
### *11. Eid al-Fitr*
– Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon, marking the beginning of *Shawwal*.
– *Eid al-Fitr* is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal, and it is obligatory to pay *Zakat al-Fitr* (charity for the poor) before the Eid prayer.
—
These are the basic rules and regulations of fasting in Ramadan. May Allah accept our fasts and grant us the blessings of this holy month! 🌙
