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ESSENTIALS OF RAMADAN, THE FASTING MONTH

WHAT IS RAMADAN?
Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or ar-ramad denoting intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramdaa, sun baked sand, and the famous proverb: "Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar" - to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. And in a hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "The prayer of repenters is due when the young camel can feel the sun's heat early in the morning." (Bukhari Muslim)

Thus, the word Ramadan is so called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst. Others said it is so called because Ramadan scorches out the sins with good deeds, as the sun burns the ground. Some said it is so called because the hearts and souls are more readily receptive to the admonition and remembrance of Allah during Ramadan, as the sand and stones are receptive to the sun's heat. Allah (SWT) may have inspired the framers of this beautiful language in naming this month Ramadan. Otherwise, the relation between the heat and its properties is miraculously similar to that of Ramadan. While the heat represents the matter that helps shape, form, and mold virtually every matter - from metal and plastics, to plants and living cells - Ramadan undoubtedly helps a serious believer remold, reshape, reform, and renew his physical and spiritual disposition and behavior.

FASTING (SIYAAM)
Fasting, or siyaam, has two meanings. Generally, siyaam or sawm, is derived from the root sama, to restrain from normal things, such as eating, drinking, and talking. If an individual refrains from these things, he is considered saaim, the observer of fast.

Al-Qur'an uses the word generally when it revealed the conversation between the angel and Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the angel instructed her: "...And if you do see any one, say, 'I have vowed to remain silent for Allah.'" (Al-Qur'an 19:26)

The phrase "to remain silent" is the interpretation of the Arabic word, "sawm." The reason for this interpretation is that "sawm" cannot mean fast, i.e. restraint from food, because Mary had just been told to eat from the palm tree. This general meaning is common in the Arabic language.

In the Shari'ah, Islamic law, the word "sawm" means and implies a specific act, that, is, "to worship Allah, abstaining, with intention to please God from fast breakers. These acts include physical nourishment, food, drink, and sexual intercourse or a lustful discharge of semen from the period between the break of dawn until sundown.

As this definition implies, the Islamic fasting is total abstinence from any food particles passing through the mouth or nose, as well as drinks of any kind - water, milk, juices, etc. - along with abstinence from sexual association during the day that commences from the break of dawn till sunset.

Although the definition indicates restraining the stomach and private parts, the tongue, eyes, ears and other limbs are equally obligated to be restrained if the faster wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. This is why Abu Hurairah has reported the Messenger of Allah (saas) as saying in a hadith:

"They who do not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that they did not eat or drink." (Bukhari Muslim)

In another hadith by Abu Hurairah (raa), the Prophet (saas) said: "Fasting is not only to restrain from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly towards you, say (to them) 'I am fasting; I am fasting.'" (Ibn Khuzaimah)

Indeed, these two reports imply fasting will not be complete until one observes three elements:

1. Restraining the stomach and the private parts from the breakers of the fast - food and drink,

2. Restraining the jawarih, the other body parts, which may render the fast worthless despite the main factors of hunger and thirst. So the tongue, for instance, must avoid backbiting, slander, and lies; the eyes should avoid looking into things considered by the Lawgiver as unlawful; the ears must stop from listening to conversations, words, songs, and lyrics that spoil the spirit of fasting; and,

3. Restraining of the heart and mind from indulging themselves in other things besides dhikir Allah (remembrance of Allah).

THE MERITS OF FASTING
Islam is built on five pillars. Each represents a unique utility, an institution, if you will, through which the believer builds their relationship with the Creator and the creation. Of all the pillars of Islam, none is more special than siyaam, fasting. While there may be an appearance of Riya, eye service, or show, in all other pillars - Salaat, Zakaat, Hajj, and even the Kalimah - there is no such possibility in fasting. The only One who knows that you are really abstaining is Allah, the Almighty. It is easy to pretend to be fasting; while in hiding, you may eat or drink. Thus, fasting is considered a special worship, as Hadith reports from the Messenger of Allah (saas) have detailed.

It has been reported by the way of Abu Hurairah (raa) that the Prophet (saas) reported that Allah (SWT) said in a Hadith Al-Qudsi: "All services of the son of Adam are for them except fasting. It is for Me, and I will reward them for it. Fasting is a shield.

On the day you fast, do not use obscenity, nor yell at others, nor act ignorantly towards them. However, if anyone abuses you verbally or attempts to draw you to fight with him, say 'I am fasting' two times. The Prophet (saas) then states: I swore by the One (Allah) in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the faster is sweeter to Allah on the Day of Judgment than the scent of musk. The faster experiences enjoyment twice: They are pleased when they break their fast, and they are pleased when they meet their Maker" (Bukhari Muslim)

Among the points this incisive hadith revealed is that fasting is Allah's. Certainly, there is only one reason why a believer will put himself or herself through this trying physical exercise that - to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT). The fast is the single most important device to test the Iman, (faith) of the believer and the depth of his or her sincerity and commitment to the concept of Tauheed, the Oneness of Allah.

The hadith also states that fasting is a shield, an armor protecting the believer from sinful acts (ma'asi). Do you not know that nourishment is the first culprit in the propagation of sins? For when you eat, the blood flow increases considerably, and the energy level increases, making it easier for Satan to use your own energy level to tempt you to commit sins. In another hadith, the Prophet states: "Satan runs in the circulatory system of the son of Adam in the same way blood circulates in our system; so tighten his passages with hunger." (Bukhari Muslim)

Now you see why fasting becomes a shield. Fasting enables the believer to guard against their archenemy. It also helps them against human evil by putting the patience and perseverance gained from fasting into use with forbearance and forgiveness of the attacker - that is, of course, when the safety of ones life is not involved. Otherwise, in this case, Al-Qur'an allows the believer to repel evil without transgression.

FASTING THE MONTH RAMADAN - SAWM RAMADAN
When we speak of Ramadan, we speak of an annual spiritual event so serious that it impressively engulfs the entire Muslim Ummah (community) in a religious season surpassing any annual event in the world.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Al-Hijrah. This calendar is based on the lunar system. There are twelvemonths in the lunar year. They are:

1. Al-Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabee'ul Awwal
4. Rabee'ul Athathanee
5. Jumadah Awwal
6. Jumadth Thanee
7. Rajab
8. Sha'aban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhul-Qidah
12. Dhul-Hijah