Chapter 25

How Do We Perform Fasting?

A. What Is fasting?
• The fourth pillar of Islam is known as Siyam (Fasting)
• During the month of Ramadan (Nighth Month of the Islamic Lunar
Calendar), Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk
• Mind over body, seeking to get our spiritual self to overcome our body’s
desire for satisfaction
• Instinct hungry we need food, like an animal controlling that instinct,
makes us stronger, we are not governed by our body. We are closer to Allah
(SWT).
• Hilal (New Crescent Moon) is sighted signaling the beginning of Ramadan
 A. What Is fasting?
• Suhur (Pre Dawn Meal), at the hint of light approaches the meal is
finished and you pray your morning prayer
• Iftar(Break fast) first meal after day of fasting, when the sun had
declined completely past the horizon
• You make intention to fast for the sake of Allah (SWT)
• During the daylight hours, a fasting person abstains from:
1. Food
2. Liquids
3. sexual activities
4. non essential oral medicine
5. No fighting, cursing, arguing, lying, stealing
A. What Is fasting?
The benefits of fasting and Ramadan month:
1. Non-obligatory good deed = fard
2. 1 fard = 70 fard
3. Greater awareness of Allah (SWT)
4. Feeding a fasting person = forgiveness from sin and hellfire
5. Rizq (provisions) is increased
6. First part of that month = Brings Allah (SWT) mercy
7. Middle part of the month = Brings Allah (SWT) forgiveness
8. Last part of the month = Freedom from Hellfire
9. Reward of good deeds are multiplied 10 times
10.Previous sins are forgiven
B. Ramadan: The Month of training
• Slowly throughout the year we might stray from the path of Allah, Ramadan
is a way to realign ourselves.
• It’s a spiritual and moral boot camp
• Month of forgiveness
• It is the month the Quran was sent down
C. Who Fasts?
Must Fast Exempt from Fasting Temporarily Exempt
(Fidya) (have to make up)

Sane Mentally challenged Traveling

Healthy Permanently Sick ill
Past the age of Puberty Very young Women Monthly Cycle
Elderly who are too weak Gave Birth
Pregnant/breastfeeding
Fidya (Compensation)a person who can no longer fast due to old age or
permanent sickness, can contribute money towards feeding 2 people per day.
D. The Lessons of Fasting
• Lessons learned during Ramadan are:
1. Learn what it feels to be hungry, such develop compassion for the poor
2. How close we are to leaving this world
3. How depended we are on food and drink, it is truly a blessing
4. Learn to control our urges
5. Clear our mind
6. Restrain our anger, train our habits towards prayer, forgiveness, self-sacrifice
and good behavior
• Salat At-Tarawih (Resting Prayer) a special type of prayer held only
during the month of Ramadan. Series of 2 rak’aat.
D. The Lessons of Fasting
• For each of the 29 or 30 nights of Ramadan a different portion of the Qur’an
is read until all 30 juz’ have been recited.
• Laylat Al Qadr(The Night of Power) It is the night when the first ayaat
of the Qur’an were revealed. It falls on one of the odd-numbered nights in
the last 10 days of Ramadan.
• I’tikaf(retreat) Last 10 days of Ramadan when a Muslim spends all day
in the masjid focusing on prayer and worship.
E. Joy at the End of Ramadan
• The end of Ramadan occurs when the next crescent moon has been sighted,
29-30 days after fasting.
• ‘Eid Al Fitr(Festival of Breaking the Fast)when the new moon has been
sighted
• Sdaqat Al Fitr (Charity of the Fast Breaking) the amount depends on
one meal per person, it should be given based the number of person in the
household.
• The holiday begins with Salat Al ‘Eid and last 2 days afterward. Fasting is
not allowed at that time.
F. Fasting on Other Occasions
• There are other fasts that are encouraged throughout the year but not
required. They are:
1. Fasting 6 days in the month of Shawwal (following Ramadan) reward is like
fasting for a whole lifetime
2. Fasting on the 9th day of Hajj is also praiseworthy
3. 9th and 10th day of Muharram, in honor of Prophet Musa (PBUH)
4. Month of Sha’ban
5. Fasting on Monday and Thursday, those are days our deeds is presented to Allah
(SWT)
6. Fast for 3 days, if you broke an oath
Homework
1. What are the benefits of Fasting?
2. What do we learn from Fasting?
3. It cost 10$ per meal per person. How much Sadaqat Al Fitr does Amriah
have to pay for her family? Her family include her younger brother and
sister and her parents.