Unit D CH.2 Ramadan The Month of Fasting

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a special month for Muslims during which they fast and seek to get closer to Allah.

What do we do when we fast?

When we fast, we do not eat or drink from dawn until sunset. We also avoid bad deeds and focus on good deeds such as prayer, charity, and reading the Qur’an.

What does the word “Ramadan” mean in arabic?

The word "Ramadan" means heat and thirst.

What is Siyam?

Siyam means fasting, which involves refraining from food, drink, and bad deeds from dawn to sunset as an act of worship to Allah.

What is Laylat Al-Qadr? It’s better than a ……

Laylat Al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, is the special night in Ramadan when the Qur’an was sent down from the 7th to the 1st sky. Worship on this night is better than worship for 1,000 months.


We know that Allah sent down the Quran bit by bit to His messenger (saws) via angel Jibreel over about two decades. Then what does it mean that the Quran was sent down on Laylatul Qadr? According to ibn Abbas (ra), the sending down of Quran referred to in this surah is its coming down from the Lawh al Mahfuz (Preserved Tablet) to the Baytul-`Izzah (House of Might) in the first heaven. ‘Then it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years.’

When is Laylat Al-Qadr?

Laylat Al-Qadr occurs on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan.

In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) came and addressed us and said, 'I was informed of (the date of the Night of Qadr) but I was caused to forget it; so search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2016

What is Salat Al-Taraweeh?

Salat Al-Taraweeh is a sunnah prayer performed at night during Ramadan after Isha prayer and before Witr prayer. It is a Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasized Sunnah) because Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed it regularly and encouraged Muslims to pray it

When did Allah order Muslims to fast in Ramadan?

Fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory in the second year after Hijrah (2 A.H.).

Who is required to fast during Ramadan?

Healthy Muslims who reached the age of puberty are required to fast every day in Ramadan.

The prophet PBUH says:

Ramadan has come to you. It is a blessed month. Allah ordered you to fast it. In it, the gates of ______ will be open, the gates of ____ will be locked, and the evil _____ will be chained.

Heaven; Hell; satans

What happens to the rewards of good deeds during Ramadan?

The rewards of good deeds increase by seventy to seven hundred times in Ramadan.

What happens if we sincerely fast the month of Ramadan?

If a Muslim fasts with sincerity and faith, Allah will forgive all their past sins.

In Ramadan, what acts of worship should we increase?

Pray more, read more Qur’an, and give more charity.

T/F: A smile and helping someone are good acts of charity

True

How does Ramadan help Muslims become better people?

Ramadan trains Muslims to have self-control, avoid bad habits, increase worship, and be more patient, kind, and generous. It also helps us understand the struggles of the poor.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When one of you wakes up in the morning for fasting, then he should not use obscene language or behave foolishly. If anyone abuses him or fights with him, he should say twice: Indeed, I am ______.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1151

fasting

When is du’aa most likely to be accepted in Ramadan?

Du’aa is most likely accepted at the time of breaking the fast (Iftar).

How does the meaning of the word "Ramadan" (heat and thirst) relate to fasting?

Fasting makes us experience thirst and hunger, reminding us of Allah’s blessings and the struggles of the poor.

Who are exempt from fasting but need to make up days?

• The sick – Ex. if someone is sick for a day and breaks his fast that day then he must make up the day he missed.

• Travelers – Ex. if someone is traveling for a day and breaks his fast that day then he must make up the day he missed.

• Women during menstruation or postnatal bleeding – Woman are NOT allowed to fast during their menstrual cycle. They need to make up the days as well.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before so that you may attain _____." (Surat-ul Baqarah, 2:183)

Taqwa

What is Taqwa?

Taqwa is being conscious of Allah, fearing Him, and striving to do what is right while avoiding sins. Developing the correct relationship with Allah. Refers to the element of fear of Allah that is born out of the love of Allah.