1. The Annual Habit of Highly Successful and Satisfied People
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Ever Merciful
FASTING IN
RAMADAN
The Annual Habit of Highly Successful and Satisfied People
Second
Edition
Follows the globally popular first
edition titled
“Ramadan- Time to purify
and train body and soul”
A quick and easy explanation
of the meaning, purpose and benefits of fasting in Islam
“I passed the presentation on to our World Religion teachers and they really liked it”- Anna from Canada
“A very beneficial presentation for all Muslims/Non-Muslims alike”- Saraj from UK
More On Islam Briefcast Series

2. The Proven Habit of Successful People
Ramadan is a great opportunity each year for those who are seeking God-consciousness, personality development, success, happiness and the most important of all, Almighty’s blessings and rewards. For more than 1400 years now, millions of Muslims have derived and experienced numerous benefits from Ramadan such as:
Bliss
Self
improvement
Character
building
Peace &
Contentment
Success
Fasting in Ramadan has been and remains an annual practice of highly successful and satisfied people. 2

3. Fasting: A Pillar of Islam
FAITH
PRAYER
FASTING
ZAKAT
HAJJ
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Declaring and believing “There is no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger.”
1st
Performing the obligatory prayers five times a day
2nd
Observing dawn-to-dusk abstinence in the month of Ramadan
3rd
Giving charity
4th
Undertaking Pilgrimage to Makkah
5th

4. Ramadan – Most Sacred Month in the Islamic Calendar
Muharram
Safar
Rabi
Al Awwal
Islamic Calendar or the Hijri Calendar is based on the lunar year.
Rabi
At Thani
Jumadi
Al Awwal
Jumadi
At Thani 7
Rajab
Shaban 9
Ramadan
Shawwal
Dhul
Qaidah
Dhul
Hijjah
It is obligatory on Muslims to fast all days in this month. 4

5. “A Great, Blessed Month…”
Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
address on the eve of Ramadan: “
People, a great blessed month has come upon you
Allah has made fasting during it an obligation, and steadfastly observing its nights in worship a voluntary act
Whoever undertakes an act of obedience to Allah during this month with a righteous deed, it is as if he has performed an obligatory act at other times
And whoever performs an obligatory act during it is as one who performed seventy obligations at other times
It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise
It is the month of goodwill, during which provisions are multiplied ” 5

6. Ramadan: Month of Revelation of the Qur'an
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance for people and clear proofs of the guidance and the Criterion (between right and wrong)” [Qur’an 2:185]
source of transformation
“A Book which We have revealed unto you in order that you may lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light- by the leave of their Lord- to the way of (Him) the exalted in Power, Worthy of all praise!” [Qur’an 14:1]
[Buy]
safe & original
culmination of guidance
“… Indeed it is We Who have revealed it and it is indeed We Who are its guardians” [Qur’an 15:9]
“ It is He Who sent down to you in truth, the book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Torah (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)…” [Qur’an 3:3] 6

7. Qur'an: The Ultimate Guidance
Shows
ways of
successful
living
Provides
answers &
solutions
Presents
Almighty’s
signs
Cures bad
conduct
Explains
right
& wrong
Brings peace
& security
“Verily this Qur'an does guide to that which is most right ” [Qur’an 17:9]
“O mankind! there has come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts,- and for those who believe, a guidance and a Mercy.” [Qur’an 10:57] 7

8. Fasting means Abstinence
To stop eating, drinking and sex
from dawn until dusk X X X
Food
Drink
Sex 8

9. The Ramadan Time-table
“Eat Suhur (pre-dawn meal), for there are blessings in it.” – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) [Sahih Bukhari, Book 31, Hadith 146]
Eating before dawn
Special Prayers
Eating, drinking and sex is permitted
Eating, drinking and sex forbidden
Night
Day
Special Prayers
First ten days
God’s Mercy
Middle ten days
God’s Forgiveness
Salvation from Hell-fire
Last ten days
Days of Ramadan
Breaking the fast 9

10. People Exempt from Fasting
“… but whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast)
a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks.” – [Qur'an 2:185]
Minors
Aged *
Sick **
Menstruating Women **
Pregnant Women **
Suckling Women
Traveller **
* Should donate a meal to the needy
** Should fast an equivalent number of days afterwards 10

11. Reward of Fasting
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) proclaimed the reward of fasting:
“ Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins.
If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarrelling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.'
By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk.
There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.”
[Sahih Muslim, Book 6, Hadith Number 2567] 11 11

12. Why Fasting? The Goal of Fasting is to develop Self-Restraint. About
Holy Qur'an states: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may develop Taqwa (self-restraint) ” [Qur’an 2:183]
Example: God says about Mary in the Qur’an that she said: “Verily!, I have vowed a fast to the Most Beneficent…” [Qur’an Chapter Maryam – 19:26].
About
Taqwa
Taqwa is an Arabic word. Taqwa is the consciousness of Almighty. It is the state of heart that motivates virtuous conduct and prevents evil action. Taqwa is the ability ‘to guard against, preserve, shield and prevent’.
Love of God +
Fear of God
Taqwa 12

13. Spiritual shield against evil
The Need for Taqwa*
He (Lord of the worlds) is worthy to be feared [Qur’an 74:56)
Spiritual shield against evil
>
To be fair and just
Holy Qur'an states: “O you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and do not let the hatred of any people make you to depart from justice. Act justly, that is nearer to Taqwa. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is well aware of what you do.” [Qur’an 5:8]
>
To experience happiness and satisfaction
Holy Qur'an states: “…for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” [Qur’an 13:28]
>
To build good character
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Piety and Righteousness is being of good character.” [Sahih Muslim]
>
To prepare for accountability before the Creator
Holy Qur'an states: “On the day (The day of judgement) when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done” [Qur’an 3:30] 13
* This slide does not provide an exhaustive, but only an illustrative list to highlight the need for Taqwa

14. Caliph Ali’s description of the people of Taqwa
(May Allah be pleased with him)
“The people of Taqwa on earth are those of virtue: their speech is correct (true); their garments are of moderate nature and their walk is one of humility. They lower their gaze when they see something that Allah has forbidden them to see, and they give ear to beneficial knowledge.”
“They maintain their integrity in both adversity and prosperity”
“The world tempts them, but they do not succumb. It imprisons them, but they ransomed themselves in exchange.”
“They combine knowledge with tolerance and speech with action.”
“They are not prejudiced against those they dislike nor do they favor those they love.”
“They do not call anyone names nor do they hurt their neighbors. They do not curse at the time of difficulties nor do they venture into falsehood.” 14

15. Annual Training for Character-building
Ramadan provides a training opportunity that is meant to facilitate good behaviour throughout the year
Rest of the year
Ramadan
Ramadan
(pbuh)
Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever can guarantee the chastity of what is between his two jaws-bones (tongue) and what is between his two legs (private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [Sahih Bukhari, Book 76, Hadith 481] 15

16. How Character-building is Achieved
Good speech & control of the tongue
“…And give, (O Prophet), glad tidings to those that humble themselves (before Allah)” [Qur’an 22:34]
Avoidance of evil & useless talk
Controlling of sight &
lowering of gaze
Taqwa (God consciousness & Self-restraint)
Fasting
Gratitude, humility &
caring
develops
inculcates
Fairness, justice and
honesty
Purity of thought, self-control, and patience
Responsibility towards poor & after-life accountability 16

17. Fasting and Sins Don’t Go Together
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink” (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.) [Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 031, Hadith Number 127]
“When any one of you gets up in the morning in the state of fasting, he should neither use obscene language nor do any act of ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’” [Sahih Muslim Book 006, Hadith Number 2563] 17

18. Cultivating concern for the Poor and Hungry
The state of hunger makes each fasting person feel what it means to be without food and drink and inculcates in him or her:
Care and concern for the poor and hungry
Helping attitude towards have-nots
Sense of giving and charity
Avoiding wastage of food and drinks
Social responsibility
Photo courtesy: Reliefonline.org ,refugeecamp.org, indonesiaurbanstudies.blogspot, asiaportal.info, al jazeerah.net, corbridge.journallive.co.uk, theasiannews.co.uk, , muslimhands.org, muslimaid.org 18

19. Health Benefits of Fasting
It gives vital organs a complete rest
It promotes elimination of metabolic wastes
It allows the body to adjust and normalize its biochemistry and also its secretions 
It lets the body break down and absorb swellings, deposits, diseased tissues, and abnormal growths;
Fasting is good
for the human
body
It restores a youthful condition to the cells and tissues
It increases the powers of digestion and assimilation (absorption and utilization of food into the system)
It permits the conservation and re-routing of energy; It clears and strengthens the mind;
* From the Book Triumph Over Disease By Fasting and Natural Diet, Chapter 10, by Dr Jack Goldstein 19

20. Please get to know more and change your life
Learn More…
Please get to know more and change your life
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Recommended Readings
The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation & Commentary – by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The Holy Qur’an (Online)
The Nature of Fasting – by Ibn Taymiyyah
The Life and Work of Muhammad (Critical Lives) – by Yahiya Emerick
Towards Understanding Islam – by A.A.Maududi
Islam Tomorrow – Yusuf Estes 20