A Brief Guide to Ramadan and Fasting

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, throughout which Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours (from dawn to sunset) in complete fast.

During the daylight hours throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, sexual enjoyment and physical or verbal abuse. In fact, fasting is much more than just refraining from eating and drinking. It is a time for the purification of the soul and the development of God-awareness and self-control.

Abu Hurairah narrated: God’s Messenger said, “Fasting is a shield. So, the person observing fast should avoid sexual relation with his wife and  should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.’” The Prophet
added, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of God than the smell of musk. (God says about the fasting person), ‘He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. Fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person)
for it, and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.’” (Al-Bukhari)

Source: EDC Publications