Farhat's Muslim Sticker Blog

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Why do Muslims Fast ?
The fourth pillar of Islam is known as Sawm, or fasting . During the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth of the Islamic lunar calendar, every Muslim who meets certain requirements is required to fast from dawn until dusk.

The act of fasting is both unique and yet a shared experience in human history. From the very beginning of time, humans have been involved with the great struggle to master their bodies and emotions. The urge to eat is one of the most powerful motivations anyone must face. Many have fail and over-eat or consume unhealthy foods.

Anyone who has ever sought to come closer to their spiritual self has had to overcome their body’s desire for satisfaction. Hence, the history of fasting goes way back in human history. Previous Prophets have enjoined fasting upon their peoples and untold numbers of wise men and women have made self-denial a part of their life.

When a person denies something to their own body which it craves, they are elevating their mind and showing that, unlike animals, their reason and will is stronger than their basic urges and passions. In this way our thinking becomes clearer and we learn that we are, indeed, not governed by our instincts. We gain greater awareness of ourselves and hence are able to bring ourselves closer to Allah.

We can only become the “the best of creation” (95:4) when we rise above our desires and recognize the power of our belief in Allah.. As Allah declared, “You who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so you can be aware of Allah (gain Taqwa). (2:183)

When the new crescent moon (Hilal) is sighted signalling the beginning of Ramadan on the next day, Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught us to say: “Allah is Greater, Allah is Greater, Allah is Greater. Praise be to Allah Who created me and you and Who decreed for you the phase (of moon) and made you a sign for the universe.”

Now imagine waking up, long before the first light of the sun has risen over the darkened sky, and taking a small meal, called Sahoor. When the hint of light approaches, the meal is finished and you pray the morning prayer with great clarity of mind and thought. You make your intention to fast that day for Allah’s sake and then either return to bed for a few hours sleep or stay up and read Allah’s words from the Quran. Then you prepare to face the day. The dua for making intention to fast is “Wa be saumee ghadin nawaytu min shahri Ramadan” – The next day’s fasting I intend for the month of Ramadan.

During the daylight hours, a fasting person abstains from all food, liquids, smoking and nutritionally- related medicine or any non-essential oral medicine. In addition, all normally undesirable behaviour is especially frowned upon. No fighting, swearing, arguing, lying or other sins are to be indulged in. Of course a Muslim must naturally avoid such sins anyway, but sometimes people fall into error. Fasting for a month from these actions helps us correct ourselves. The Blessed Messenger of Allah once said, “Five things break a person’s fast: Lying backbiting, spreading rumours, false testimony and a lustful gaze.”

Ramadan : The Month of Training
The month of Ramadan provides us with a sort of spiritual and moral ‘Boot Camp’. We know that fasting in Ramadan is a duty from Allah and we learn that any sins may spoil our record of fasting with Allah so we take great pains to be on our best behaviour. This intense modification of our habits is designed to help us avoid such sins throughout the rest of the year. The Prophet (saw) once remarked, “Whoever doesn’t give up lying and acting on lies during fasting, then Allah has no need of him giving up food and drink.”
On another occasion he warned, “There are many people who get nothing from fasting except hunger and thirst.” Clearly the moral dimension is as important as the physical aspects of fasting.

The Prophet (saw) also said “Fasting is a shield. So, the person observing fasting….should not behave foolishly and rudely, and if somebody fights with them or abuses them, they should tell them twice, ‘I am fasting.” (Bukhari)

The Prophet (saw) added, “By Him in Whose Hands is my soul, the breath from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk.( Allah says about the fasting person), He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.” (Bukhari)

Ramadan has such a wondrous impact on our morals and behaviour that it has been described as the month of forgiveness. The Prophet (saw) once declared, “During the month of Ramadan, the gates of Paradise are open, the gates of Hell-fire are closed and the Shaytans are chained.” (Bukhari)

Ramadan is blessed for another reason. It marks the first month when Allah began revealing His Messaage to Prophet Muhammad (saw). Layalat ul Qadr is the exact night when the Quranic revelation started to be revealed. Many Muslims stay up all night seeking their Lord’s forgiveness and guidance. Also during the last ten days some Muslims perform Itikaf, or Retreat. This consists of living in the prayer area of the Masjid for up to ten days. They spend their time in prayer, reading, study circles and making dua.

The Lessons of fasting
The lessons learned during Ramadan are many.
1. We learn self-control and clear our minds and thoughts for serious remembrance of Allah.
2. We understand how dependent we are on the food and water that is provided to us by Allah.
3. We learn what it means to be part of one global ummah, united by our fasting.
4. We recognize what it means to be hungry and how we must help our fellow Muslims who are hungry every month of the year.
5. We restrain our anger and we train our habits towards prayer, forgiveness, self-sacrifice and good behaviour.

Colourful ramadan decorations to use in iftar parties. We also have ramadan charts and eid decorations and eid balloons.

O you who believe! Fasting has been ordained on you as it was ordained for those before you so that you may remain conscious of Allah(2;183)

Every act of the son of adam is for himself except fasting: it is for Me and I shall reward it.

“Indeed, We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” Qur’an (97:1-3)

There is a gate in Paradise called Ar Raiyan and those who observe fasting will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection, none but them should enter through it.                     (Bukhari)

When the month of Ramadhan comes, the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.  (Bukari)

“Ramadhan is the (month) in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting…” Qur’an (2:185).

Ramadan and Quran

Its significance in Ramadan:

“Ramadhan is the (month) in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting…” Qur’an (2:185).

“Shahru ramadaana llethi unzila feehil quraana huda linnaasi wa bayyinaatin minal hudaa wal furqaan. Fa man shahida minkumu shahra fal yasumhu”

This Qur’anic verse explains the inseparable link between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan. The revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) began in this month. Some scholars have explained that the word ‘so’ (fa) in this ayah leads to the following paraphrase of one aspect of its meaning: “Fast this month because it is the one in which the Qur’an was sent down”. The night in which the Qur’an was revealed is known as The Night of Power or The Night of Destiny. This night is referred to by the Qur’an in the following verses:

“Indeed, We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” Qur’an (97:1-3)

Some Key facts on the Qur’an:

Given the importance attached to this night, Muslims are expected to exert themselves in worship in it. It is a time for especially fervent and devoted prayer, and the rewards and blessings associated with such are manifold. Muslims are told in the Qur’an that praying throughout this one night is better than a thousand months of prayer. No one knows exactly which night it is; it is one of God’s mysteries. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed Muslims to search for this Night of Power during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan without specifying any day. However, due to the sayings of some of his companions, many scholars believe it to be on the 27th day. During this night it is highly meritorious to spend as much time as possible in prayer, seeking forgiveness and supplicating to God Almighty

Another traditional link between the Qur’an and Ramadan is that it is highly meritorious to complete reciting the Qur’an in the holy month of Ramadan. The word ‘Qur’an’ in Arabic comes from the root word ‘qa ra a’ which means to recite. Hence it literally means ‘recitation’ or ‘proclamation’. It is believed that it was recited to the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) by the Archangel Gabriel (Jibreel, alayhi salaam) over a period of twenty three years. Muslims are encouraged to read the Qur’an regularly and more so in the holy month of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite the whole Qur’an to the Archangel Gabriel (Jibreel, alayhi salaam) once every Ramadan and twice in the year in which He died. Muslim scholars over the centuries have been known to leave other optional acts of worship in order to focus on reciting the Qur’an in the blessed month of Ramadan. Hence many Muslims emulate this practice by completing the recitation of the whole Qur’an at least once in the month of Ramadan - especially during the night (taraweeh) prayers.

Ramadhan quiz

When do muslims begin fasting?

___________________________________________________________

Why do Muslims fast?

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How many days are there in Ramadhan? ___________________________________

What part of the day do Muslims fast for? __________________________________

What is the Arabic word for fast? _________________________________________

What is suhoor? ______________________________________________________

What should you break your fast with? _____________________________________________________

What is the reward of a good deed in Ramadhan? _____________________________________________________

What is the Arabic name for the Night of Power? ____________________________

Give two reasons why the Night of Power is special?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name 4 things which you should do in Ramadhan to gain Allah’s pleasure?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ramadhan Project ideas

More ideas for teachers and parents

Ramadhan Activities

To help the children understand and gain as much reward as possible during ramadhan here is a list of projects that parents or teachers can do in their Islamic studies and art lessons.

1. “Why I love Ramadhan”.

Write a short piece on “Why I love Ramadhan”. The work sheet is on the blog.

2. Ramadhan book

Each child will have a book that they can put their work in during the weeks. You will need to have this prepared before hand.

3. Ramadhan Display

Every class/child can produce a colourful display for their bedroom/classroom. The display should include written work and pictures produced by the children.

4. Art lessons

Art lessons/time are to be used for Ramadhan art projects.

5.   Ramadhan Class/family Presentation

Prepare Ramadhan presentations to be shown at assembly time/tea time. You can choose  age appropriate topics .

6. Preparation for Eid

Kids should make cards and a gift for their parents. Set a date for eid party make invitations, list of games,decorations and a menu. Kids can help prepare the food, keep it as healthy as possible.

I love ramadhan

Worsheet for kids to write their thoughts on why they love ramadhan. Can be used at the beginning of ramadhan to get kids to reflect on the meaning of ramadhan.

Ramadhan Reminder Frame!

Parents have the responsibility of explaining to children the importance of Ramadhan.  Fasting is one of the many ways we worship Allah (swt) it also one of the five pillars of Islam. The following activity will help your children understand and remember why we fast.

Things you need:

• Glue
• Scissors
• A4 paper (plain/ coloured)
• Frame to put final picture in and hang in room
• Varity of material for decoration purposes: Glitter, beads, sequins, etc
• Colouring pens/ pencils
• Selection of hadiths and ayahs related to ramadhan
• Islamic pictures from old Eid cards, Islamic calendars, wall pictures, etc

What to do:

1. Using a sheet of A4 paper, draw an outline of a mosque or prayer mat.
2. Have a selection of simple to understand hadiths/ ayahs related to ramadhan ready, preferably as a photocopied version. Choose a hadith/ ayah which they really like and can remember easily, they can write the ayah/hadith in the centre of the picture they have already drawn out. Or they can cut out and stick the ayah/hadith.
3. Cut out the picture from its outline and stick onto a sheet of coloured A4 paper using glue.
4. Decorate the final picture using glitter, beads, sequins, etc. Have an A4 sized picture frame ready and after the picture has dried put it into the frame.
5. They can put the framed picture in an area of their room where they can see the picture clearly during the month of Ramadhan, helping them to remember what Ramadhan is about and the importance of this month.
6. Your child could make a few frames and give them as gifts to their friends at the beginning of Ramadan.