Every religion has different fasts. They are long and short, especially revered and less revered. For Muslims, the most important is the fast of Ramadan, which falls on the month of the same name. It is obligatory for all believers. A Muslim fast has some differences, for example, from a Christian fast in its modern form, although the spiritual goal is the same there and there.
What is Ramadan and how did it come about
Muslim fasting Ramadan is one of the most important events of this religion. It is obligatory and one of the five pillars of Islam. Although, according to legend, the Prophet Muhammad was unfavorable to asceticism, but he himself established this post. It falls on the ninth month of the lunar calendar, and since the lunar year is shorter than the Gregorian year, the beginning of the fast is shifted annually by eleven days earlier than the previous one. Its name coincides with the name of the month of Ramadan, but in the Turkic languages it is most often called Uraza.
It was in this month that the first revelation from the Lord was given to the prophet Muhammad, which was given to him by the angel Gabriel. Such revelations laterentered the Quran. The first revelation was received on the night of the twenty-seventh, and it is believed that on this day Allah is most favorable to the believers. When a Muslim fast begins, then in the daytime you should completely refuse to eat. Other austerities are also observed, which will be discussed in more detail below.
It should be noted that the time of the beginning of the fast and the time of exit from it is determined by the area in which the fasting person is located. If a believer began his fast in one place, but for certain reasons he had to go to another, and there it ends a day or two earlier, then this should be accepted. The day of leaving Ramadan should be met with everyone, and the missed days should be moved to another time.
What is the purpose of fasting for Muslims
The essence of Muslim fasting is the manifestation of one's will power over the desires of the flesh for the sake of the triumph of the spirit. At this time, the believer needs to concentrate on his inner world in order to find his sinful inclinations and destroy them, as well as repent of those sins that have been committed. It is very important to fight pride at this time in order to sincerely humble yourself before the will of the Creator.
In the Muslim post of Ramadan, you should think about your life, rethink life values, what is truly important, and what is superficial. Thanks to this, faith is strengthened, the spiritual growth of the believer and, possibly, a change in life priorities.
Actions prohibited and permitted during Ramadan
Muslimfasting in the month of Ramadan has a number of prohibited actions that violate its course, and permitted. We list them below.
- Do not intentionally eat or drink.
- No smoking.
- During fasting, sexual intercourse is prohibited if it leads to ejaculation.
- You can not inject drugs rectally and vaginally (in this case, it is better to postpone the post).
- The post is considered invalid if the intent has not been uttered. This is done every day.
- You can not swallow moisture, which even involuntarily enters the mouth. That is why during the fasting period it is not recommended to swim and you need to take a shower with caution.
- You can brush your teeth, but be careful not to swallow water or toothpaste in the process.
- Swallowing saliva is not considered a violation of the fast.
- It is allowed to donate blood or bleed during Ramadan.
- Medications can also be given by injection.
Eating while fasting
There are only two meals in the month of Muslim fasting. The first time a believer takes food before the sun rises (this is a prerequisite). This pre-dawn breakfast is called suhoor. This is a mandatory action, since it is believed that a Muslim in this case will receive more reward, as he will perform all the actions prescribed by the prophet Muhammad. Then, after sunrise, the believer should not eat anything.
The evening meal is callediftar. It is performed after sunset and prayer (evening prayer and, of course, local time is taken into account). Late meals are not recommended. The breaking of the fast takes place with a small amount of dates, and then you can eat fully, but very modestly. However, all dishes are quite satisfying and there are a lot of them, because this month it is customary to treat not only your family, but also other people. In the fast, you must at least once invite neighbors, friends, distant relatives to visit you and feed them.
It should be noted that at night the believer is obliged to pronounce the intention. This is a phrase that speaks of the desire to fast for the sake of Allah. It can be in any form and must be pronounced with the heart. If the phrase was not uttered, then the day of fasting is considered invalid. They say it at night between prayers.
Many believers from other religions are surprised by this way of fasting, but the ancient Christians also had this kind of fasting. The whole day they did not eat food and prayed earnestly, only after Vespers they could eat a certain amount of food in order to maintain strength in their bodies. Over time, in the Christian tradition, the type of fasting changed somewhat, as a result, they only excluded certain types of food from their diet. Thus, the type of fasting that is now preserved in Islam has rather ancient roots.
Exit post
Muslim fasting ends in thirty days on the first day of the month of Shawwal. In honor of this, they arrange a real holiday, which is called Eid al-Fitr. On this day, believers break their fast and perform a festive prayer. Alms should also be paid on this Muslim holiday (fasting). This is done in the mosque or for those who need help. You should also visit the mosque, and then celebrate the end of the fast with relatives and close friends.
Who may not fast
Fasting in the month of Ramadan in the Muslim tradition may not be observed in the following cases:
- If a person is sick and it is very difficult or impossible for him to fast.
- Pregnant and lactating women also do not observe Ramadan.
- Children who have not reached puberty.
- The old, infirm and incurable patients, however, they must feed the poor or pay a certain amount.
- Also, people on the road may not observe the fast, but they must make up for it after the journey is completed. However, if they have begun abstinence in food, then interruption is not allowed, even if they had to leave. To break the fast, the journey must be long, at least eighty-three kilometers from home.
- Ramadan may not be observed by non-Muslims (it is considered invalid for them).
- Insanely mentally ill people.
It should be noted that even if believers do not fast, it is not allowed to demonstratively eat, drink and smoke in front of other believers.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, the great Muslim fast is very importantfor all believers. At this time, a person becomes closer to the Lord due to the rejection of everything superfluous that usually accompanies his life. In addition, during the Muslim fast there is a spiritual unity with loved ones, as everyone supports each other in this pious deed, and also have numerous conversations about the spiritual.
