Ramadan is the Arabic name for the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
In this month, intense prayer sessions are done by Muslims from dawn to dusk.
The month of Ramadan is called the Holy Month of Fasting because it is the month where all Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, all form of uncleanliness and iniquity.
In this month, Muslims are expected to reflect on their spiritual life by following the teachings of Islam and increasing devotion and worship to Almighty Allah.
According to Islam, the Quran was sent to the lowest Heaven during the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, the month of Ramadan.
During this month, Muhammed, a messenger of Allah, told his followers the gates of heaven will be open the entire month and that of hell will be closed.
Muslims chose to celebrate this month with intense fasting and prayers as it is the month the holy book Quran got revealed to prophet Muhammed.
Throughout the Ramadan period, Muslims observe fast from sunrise to sunset, the fast usually last for 30 days.
During Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the season by greeting each other with the word Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which means a blessed and generous month.
Ramadan Fasting Rules: The Dont’s
While fasting, it is important to stay away from things and act that will make your fast invalid and unacceptable before Allah.
For your fast to be acceptable, see below act and things you should stay away from;
1. Eating during fast
2. Drinking during fast
3. Sexual intercourse
4. Indecent dressing and lifestyle
5. Smoking, alcohol, hard drugs and all
6. All form of evil like abortion and so on
7. Bad habits like cursing, lying, fighting, e.t.c.
Healthy Food To Eat After Breaking Fast During Ramadan
More than ever before, your body needs good and healthy food to replace the ones that have been exhausted.
To give your body the nutrients it needs to keep you fit during fasting, ensure your food contains the following;
1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Healthy fat
4. Whole grain.
Also, drink a lot of water as your body will need it. Remember, you have been dehydrated for several hours.
How To Stay Hydrated During Ramadan
Staying hydrated while fasting is quite simple, all you have to do is take enough water during your non-fasting hours. This is more like preparing your body for the next fasting day or hours.
List Of Those Exempted From Fasting During Ramadan And Why
1. The sick
2. Children
3. Breastfeeding mothers
4. Pregnant women
5. Women menstruating
6. The old
7. Those travelling
The sick:
Some health conditions do not permit people to fast.
For instance, a patient with stomach ulcer (either gastric or peptic), kidney problem or liver problem cannot stay dehydrated or without food for a long while.
This is because it is going to slow down the patient’s recovery process and might even worsen the patient’s situation.
Children:
Children that have not yet attained the age of puberty are not advised to fast because there is a belief that they are not matured yet. However, some are made to fast half day.
Breastfeeding mothers:
Breastfeeding mothers as the name implies, mothers feeding their baby with breast milk need to feed properly to produce milk for their babies.
As such, they are exempted from fasting during Ramadan.
Pregnant women:
Similar to breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women need to feed properly to supply their foetus with essential nutrients that will make them grow.
Women menstruating:
In Islam, women menstruating are seen as unclean, because of this they are excused from fasting during their monthly menstruation.
They can join the fasting when done with menstruation.
The old:
For the elderly ones, fasting is considered a difficult task as it can make them fall sick.
However, they can make up for the fast not carried out by feeding the poor.
Those travelling:
In the Quran, it was said that those travelling are exempted from fasting because Allah does not wish to make it difficult for them.
However, the missed fasting days must be replaced when not travelling.
Ramadan fasting for year 2021 started on April 13th and will come to an end on May 12th.
Originally posted on April 13, 2021 @ 5:32 pm