The holy month of Ramadan. Beginning of fasting for Muslims

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Ramadan is the holy and main month of Muslims. At this time, they begin fasting, which is prescribed for almost everyone. The holiday month of Ramadan is a time of reflection on one's "I". Muslims renounce almost all worldly goods, such as water, food, intimacy and any bad habits.

Features of the post

Fasting in the month of Ramadan can last up to 30 days. It takes place at different times, depending on the lunar calendar, according to which it is set. The main feature of Ramadan is that it starts every day as soon as the dawn has come. Muslims perform the first prayer - the morning azan, and from that moment the fast begins, but every evening, immediately after sunset, when the last prayer of the day, the evening azan, is completed, the fast ends, and it will continue only with the onset of the next morning. That is, the post does not work at night. For this reason, sexual intercourse during this month is prohibited only during the day, since there is essentially no such post at night.

The beginning of Ramadan is heralded by the appearance of the new moon, which is met by Muslims.

Early in the morning or late in the evening, every Muslim after prayerpronounces the following words aloud: “Today (tomorrow) I will fast the holy month of Ramadan in the name of Allah.”

Throughout Ramadan, one can notice an increase in the number of good deeds, the performance of good deeds and the distribution of alms. The fact is that, according to the speeches of Muhammad, during fasting, Allah increases the significance of any good deed by 700 times, and the devil at this time is chained and is not able to prevent a person from doing good or doing good deeds.

On the streets in the hands of children and near houses in the month of Ramadan, you can often see lanterns - fanuses. It is a very ancient tradition to light them, especially at night. This is a kind of part of the post, a kind of symbol. Also, in honor of the beginning of the month, fireworks and salutes are often arranged, but such joys are arranged after sunset. Some people also decorate houses, for example, with the same lanterns and different kinds of illuminations.

With little to do for Muslims during the day, the streets are deserted. But at night, all stalls with street food and entertainment open, as you can eat and have fun.

Food and water

Ramadan literally paints all the canons by the hour. The morning meal (suhoor) takes place before dawn, that is, until the sun rises, you can have breakfast, but with the first rays of the sun, the meal ends. After that, the Fajr (pre-dawn prayer) is read. The evening meal (iftar) takes place after sunset, when it gets dark. First you need to say the evening prayer, and then start eating. The meal begins with three sips of water and a few dates.

Dishes of any kind are served on this holiday - both meat and vegetables, as well as cereals. From drinks, preference is given to tea, coffee, milk and water.

Water is one of the prohibitions of the month of Ramadan. However, this does not mean only the refusal to drink water. Any presence of liquid in the mouth with its subsequent swallowing is prohibited. Up to the point that you can’t swallow water when you brush your teeth, or your partner’s saliva when you kiss. If you are showering and water accidentally enters your mouth, you should also spit it out instead of swallowing it.

The meaning of fasting in Ramadan

The main goal of Ramadan is to strengthen the spirit and willpower, demonstrate faith, spiritual and physical faith and strength, control over one's thoughts and desires. That is, at this time, Muslims test themselves for strength, you can put it this way. This is the time when you can prove how resilient you are, show strength of mind.

And yet, the holy month of Ramadan is always regularly observed by all Muslims, even if they live in another country. This is a sacred rule, one of the five pillars of Islam. And if someone could not fast for various reasons, this person must observe it in some other month, but always before the next Ramadan.

Contemplation and reflection are essential companions of Ramadan. Reading the Qur'an and spending the whole day in prayer is a natural way of life throughout the fast. Muslims rethink their past deeds,they plan future actions, in principle, this post was created for this. The point is not to cleanse the body or not eat for a long time, but to look at your achievements from the outside, to realize that a person has, what is missing, to think about all this. And giving up food, water and love relationships frees up time for spiritual growth and clears the head of all unnecessary thoughts.

Who is exempt from fasting?

The beginning of the month of Ramadan is the same for everyone, however, there are people who may not observe the fast, or “postpone” it. People of a different religion, small children or adults with various psychological illnesses that prevent fasting. Pregnant and lactating mothers may also not fast. Indeed, in these cases, the correct and timely intake of food can affect not only he alth, but also human life. Women during critical days can also not fast, but only if they themselves want it.

In any case, even mentally ill people or a nursing mother can fast if she wants to. This is dangerous, but important for Muslims, and therefore such cases also occur.

It is not necessary to fast in principle for those who are physically unable to do so. For example, if a person is seriously ill and needs to eat right, or if he is a very elderly, almost infirm person, or if he is a traveler who needs strength for the road. For example, a lost traveler without food can even die, he needs to eat when possible. If aa person flies to an important meeting, he needs strength, as a difficult journey and stress can greatly undermine he alth.

What can be done in Ramadan

• Do not deviate from the rules of fasting.
• Take food or water as needed.
• Wash with water or bathe, but keep water out of your mouth.
• Do good deeds.
• Kissing without swallowing your partner's saliva.
• Donate blood.

What is not allowed in Ramadan

• Do not drink alcohol in any of its forms and manifestations.
• Smoking is also prohibited.
• Inhale various strong fragrant odors.
• Drip drops into eyes, nose or ears.
• Retain bowel contents or, conversely, induce vomiting.
• To have sexual intercourse (during the day), and in any form.
• Put banks.
• Eat and drink.
• Use medicines vaginally or rectally.

When Ramadan is violated

Depending on the reason, different punishments are established for breaking the fast in the holy month of Ramadan. So, for example, if the cause was illness or old age, you need to feed the poor, and the amount spent on him should be equal to the price of food eaten by yourself.

If the reason is good: pregnancy, travel or other good reasons. Ramadan for such people is postponed and performed at any other time, until the next Ramadan. Separately missed days of fasting, for example, due to criticaldays are carried over to the next month. That is, the fast will not end at the appointed time, but after the “working out” of those days that the Muslim missed.

If during the fast sexual intimacy was committed during the day, this is punishable by 60 days of continuous fasting. That is, you need to fast twice as much. True, such a punishment can be replaced by feeding 60 poor people.

Regardless of the reason, any violation of the fast is a grave sin, so a person must repent.

The end of the month of Ramadan will mark the beginning of the new month of Shawwal. Ramadan Bayram or Eid ul-Fitr, this is the name of the holiday, which is arranged after sunset of the last day of fasting. A solemn meal is arranged in honor of a successful Ramadan and obligatory alms are brought.