Mohammed Ramzan Ali Miya
We are blessed to benefit from yet another holy month in our lifetime. Approximately it will start here in Nepal from 12th of March. Ramadan is here and we all are spiritually charged and excited to receive unlimited bounties. It is the time of the year when we try to please Allah and are rewarded with the limitless mercies of Allah. If you haven’t felt the thrill yet, then read on. Listed below are the A to Z of Ramadan, the benefits, wisdoms and lessons one learns from the fasting bonanza.
Niyyah: One should be extremely mindful of his intention of fasting and do it only for Allah. The Messenger of Allah said, “Whoever fasts one day seeking the pleasure of Allah, if that is the last day of his life, he will enter Paradise.” (Sunan Ahmad, 5/391) The intention of fasting must be made before Fajr and during every night of Ramadan. It need not be spoken.
Abstinence: As-Siyam or fasting means to “abstain from something.” In Ramadan, one should abstain from food, drink, marital relations and other actions that displease Allah, from dawn to dusk with the explicit intention of doing so for the sake of the Almighty.
Iftar: Iftar is the name of the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan. It is the main meal of the day for those who are fasting. The other meal of the day for those who are fasting is called Suhoor, which is eaten early in the morning before dawn.
What is an Iftar meal?
An Iftar meal is the most important meal of the day for Muslims, as it is the meal which follows a whole day of fasting (for around 14/15 hours per day in the UK this year). Therefore, it’s important that the Iftar meal is as balanced and nutritious as possible.
Meaning of Iftar
While Iftar is a significant meal with regards to health and nutrition, it also has a spiritual meaning and significance. At Iftar time, Allah (SWT) shows special mercy and love to those who have been fasting, and especially to those who have provided food for others at Iftar time.
The Prophet (saw) said, ‘Whoever feeds a person breaking his fast will earn the same reward as him, without anything being lessened from the reward of the fasting person’. [Tirmidhi]
Every year, Islamic Relief runs a Ramadan food distribution programme, where we provide staple food items such as bread, oil, flour and rice to families in need across the globe, with which they can begin and end their fast. Help provide Iftar for others and gain Allah (SWT)’s pleasure by donating with Islamic Relief.
Ideas for Iftar
It can be a struggle thinking about what to cook for Iftar each day in Ramadan, so here are a few things to consider when choosing your meal.
The food we eat can help us maintain a good immune system and stay healthy. During Ramadan, make an effort to maintain a balanced diet consisting of carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, fibre and essential vitamins and minerals.
To keep up your strength whilst fasting, eat slow-release carbohydrates such as oats, wholegrain rice and wholemeal bread.
Be mindful of how much salt you use while cooking during Ramadan, as too much sodium can lead to bloating, leaving you feeling uncomfortable and heavy in the evenings while you pray.
It is important to drink plenty of water, and eat foods that have a high water content such as watermelon.
It’s also important to ensure we’re being kind to the environment in our choices for our Iftar meal, as we have a responsibility to Allah (SWT)’s creatures and we are stewards of the earth. For example, try and cut back on meat this Ramadan, and aim to buy more local produce.
Significance of eating dates at Iftar
Muslims are taught to break their fast by eating dates before eating their main meal. This is because it is a Sunnah ( tradition) of the Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet (PBUH) enjoyed eating dates and encouraged others to do so. He would break his fast with a date with fresh dates, if there were none available then with dry dates, or with a few sips of water if dates were not available. (Abu Daud)
“When one of you breaks his fast, let him break it with dates for they are blessed. If they are not found, let him break it with water for it is pure.” [Tirmidhī]
As with other Sunnahs of the Prophet (PBUH), there are many health benefits of eating dates. “Indeed in dates there is a cure” (Muslim). Dates are a great source of protein, B vitamins, fibre and potassium, helping to support the immune system and healthy functioning of the body.
Suhoor : Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal taken before the time of Fajr. The Messenger of Allah encouraged us to take suhoor by saying, “Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing (barakah).” (Reported by Sahih Al Bukhaari).
Barakah: The blessings and benefits of Ramadan fasting are too many to be listed. Some of these include: The blessed Holy Qur’an was revealed in this month, the doors of the heaven are opened, while the doors of the hell are closed and the devils are chained.
Charity: The benefits of charity to the poor and needy are tremendous. Ibn ‘Abaas said, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most charitable among the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month.” (Bukhari). The Prophet said, “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward.” (Tirmidhi)
Dua: Ramadan is a great time to make dua (supplication). A dua list will ensure that you will not miss out on any important dua that you want to make to Allah during this holy month. The Messenger of Allah said: “The dua of the fasting person will not be refused.” (Reported by Bayhaqi)
Forgiveness: Ramadan is the best time to forgive and be forgiven. The Prophet said, “Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent.” (Ibn Maajah) Allah provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness.
Gheebah: The Prophet said, “Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah has no need that he should leave his food and drink.” (Bukhari) We must pay attention to the purification of our manners. Backbiting and slandering is forbidden and it is like eating the flesh of one’s dead brother. Therefore stay away from Gheebah to realize the true spirit of fasting.
Miswaak: Using the miswaak is Sunnah when fasting and otherwise. However, a fasting person must be careful not to swallow anything.
Health : Fasting overhauls the body during the holy month. It speeds up the metabolism and improves brain function, because it boosts the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. It encourages Muslims to take care of their health and to build strong bodies. The Prophet said, “A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone.” (Muslim)
Jannah: It is one of the ultimate goals of all Muslims. Ramadan is essentially a shield from the hell-fire. The Prophet is reported to have said about Ramadan, “An angel calls out: ‘O you who intend to do good deeds, have glad tidings. O you who intend to do evil, refrain, until Ramadan is completed. (Ahmad and Nasa’i)
Kibr: Kibr is when a person feels a sense of superiority and behaves high-handedly with others. The Prophet said: “Never can the person who possesses a speck of pride inside his heart enter Paradise.” One should refrain from pride and self-glorification in Ramadan to please Allah. The act of fasting itself helps us to attain humility and get rid of arrogance.
I’tikaf: It means seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. The Prophet would perform I’tikaf for 10 days every Ramadan. In the year that he died, he performed it for 20 days.
Laylatul Qadr : The Night of Qadr is greater than 1,000 months of continuous worship; that’s over 83 years. Many will be freed from the hell-fire and granted Jannah on this night. Believers should therefore increase their ibadah, especially during its last third part when Allah descends to the lowest heavens asking for those who seek His forgiveness.
Obligatory deeds: The reward of an obligatory deed in Ramadan is multiplied by 70 while a non-obligatory action commands the reward of a fardh (obligatory action) in this blessed month. This is a once-in-a-year opportunity to upgrade our rewards collection, thereby improving ourselves.
Piety: Allah legislated fasting for gaining Taqwa (piety), “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa.” (2:183) Taqwa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allah’s anger and hellfire. The purpose is met when at the end of the fasting day we are able to fear Allah SWT more and as a result are able to protect ourselves from the hellfire.
Qiyam Al-Layl: Numerous Qur’anic verses and prophetic narrations mention the excellence of the night prayer and the merit of those who perform it regularly. Abu Huraira said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah say, “The one who does Qiyam in Ramadan with faith and sincerity, all his/her sins will be forgiven.”
Taraweeh : The name Taraweeh is derived from the Arabic word “tarawih,” which means “rest and relaxation.” This is because the prayer is performed in a leisurely and relaxed manner, with breaks between each set of rak’ahs.
Special prayers after Isha during Ramadan are called Taraweeh. It is strongly recommended that both men and women attend the prayer in congregation as Taraweeh is a means for forgiveness of the sins. Abu Huraira said: Allah’s Messenger said, “He who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past (minor) sins forgiven.”
Therefore, in this hadith, we can see that there are significant rewards for praying night prayers such as Taraweeh during the month of Ramadan, when every good deed is multiplied more than any other time of the year.
Umrah: The one who does Umrah in Ramadan will attain a reward equal in amount to that of Haj.
Vision : Many young Muslims are clueless about what they should do in Ramadan. It is therefore important to have a vision, not only for the month of Ramadan but after that as well. Goals should be set and a routine that will help you achieve those goals should be followed. Be it feeding 10 people, volunteering for charity work or reading the Holy Qur’an, list it on paper and start doing it.
X-ray your life: Ramadan is a good time to introspect whether or not your life is being led according to the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is an exercise in improving the self and setting goals for the present and the future. This month should also make us reflect on the endless bounties that God has bestowed on us and thank Him profusely for the same. It is also time for Tawbah (repentance with a pledge not to repeat) for the past sins.
Yateem: The number of orphans worldwide has reached an all-time high.
Muslims should follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad himself who said holding his index and middle fingers together upright, “I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him will be in paradise like this.” They should come together to care for, provide for, and support orphans who cannot otherwise help themselves in the holy month of Ramadan.
Rayyan: There is in Paradise a door called Rayyan. It is for the fasting Muslims. Only those who fasted the month of Ramadan will be able to enjoy the bliss of Paradise inside that area.
Zakat Al-Fitr: The Prophet enjoined Zakat Al-Fitr so that those who observed fasting are purified of their bad deeds and thus, are able to perfect their fasting, and so that the poor and the needy are able to arrange for their basic necessities of food and clothing. It should be distributed before the Eid prayer.
Eid : With the sighting of the moon at the end of the month comes the Eid Al-Fitr. It’s like the cherry on top of the cake as it’s a celebratory time that includes buying new clothes, parties, rides for kids and exchanging gifts with family members and friends.
May this Ramadan be filled with blessings, peace, and joy for you and your loved ones. May your fasting and prayers be accepted, and may you find strength, guidance, and tranquility throughout this sacred month. Wishing you a Ramadan filled with spiritual growth, reflection, and gratitude. Ramadan Mubarak!
