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What is Ramadan?What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the month in which Muslims all Ramadan is the month in which Muslims all around the world fast for 30 days from dawn to around the world fast for 30 days from dawn to dusk.dusk.

Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islamic faithFasting is the fourth pillar of Islamic faith The fast is an act of deep personal worship to The fast is an act of deep personal worship to

get closer to Allah (God Almighty).get closer to Allah (God Almighty). It is the month in which the Holy Qur’an was It is the month in which the Holy Qur’an was

revealed to Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).revealed to Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).

When does it beginWhen does it begin

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (lunar). calendar (lunar).

It begins with the sighting of the new moon. It begins with the sighting of the new moon. This year Ramadan started on 1This year Ramadan started on 1stst of of

September.September. Next year, it could be August 20. Similarly, it Next year, it could be August 20. Similarly, it

would take around 36 years to get again on would take around 36 years to get again on September 1!September 1!

Verse from the Holy Qur’anVerse from the Holy Qur’an

“O believers! The fast has been prescribed upon you just as it was prescribed for the followers of the Prophets before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (piety)”. (Chapter:2, Verse:183)

Who should fast?Who should fast?

Fasting is Mandatory on every adult Fasting is Mandatory on every adult (puberty) Muslim whether male or female (puberty) Muslim whether male or female who is mentally and physically fit.who is mentally and physically fit.

ExemptionsExemptions

1.1. Physically or mentally ill person.Physically or mentally ill person.

2.2. Traveling personTraveling person

3.3. Women: Pregnant, breastfeeding, Women: Pregnant, breastfeeding, menstrualmenstrual

What to refrain fromWhat to refrain from

Refrain from Refrain from eating, drinking and sexual eating, drinking and sexual activityactivity, from dawn to sunset., from dawn to sunset.

It is necessary that fast should be only for It is necessary that fast should be only for Allah (SWT), i.e. the correct intention, Allah (SWT), i.e. the correct intention, which is called the "Niyyah". which is called the "Niyyah".

What to refrain from..What to refrain from.. Fasting is not just refraining from food we Fasting is not just refraining from food we

should also avoid all sinful events:should also avoid all sinful events: FightingFighting Dishonesty Dishonesty Gossiping Gossiping Abusing Abusing Earning through unlawful means….etc.Earning through unlawful means….etc. In general one should refrain from all kinds of In general one should refrain from all kinds of

sins, and protect his eyes, ears, tongue and sins, and protect his eyes, ears, tongue and all other organs from indulging in an unlawful all other organs from indulging in an unlawful activity.activity.

What Nullifies fastWhat Nullifies fast

1.1. Eating something.Eating something.

2.2. Drinking something.Drinking something.

3.3. Sexual activitySexual activity

General Recommendations

Exchange social visits & intensify humanitarian services.

Be extraordinarily cautious in using the senses, the mind and, especially, the tongue ;

Exert the utmost in patience and humbleness

Increase study of the Qur’an .

Some terms to knowSome terms to know

Iftar:Iftar: means to conclude a fast after sunset by means to conclude a fast after sunset by eating or drinking something. It is also a eating or drinking something. It is also a SunnahSunnah [tradition of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)] to [tradition of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)] to make iftar soon after sunset, and it is make iftar soon after sunset, and it is MakroohMakrooh (disliked) to delay in iftar after sunset without a (disliked) to delay in iftar after sunset without a valid reason. valid reason.

No particular meal is prescribed for iftar, but it is No particular meal is prescribed for iftar, but it is SunnahSunnah to break the fast with few dates first then to break the fast with few dates first then eat any other meal.eat any other meal.

Some more terms…Some more terms…

Suhoor:Suhoor: Suhoor is the meal one takes Suhoor is the meal one takes early in the morning before sunrise. It can early in the morning before sunrise. It can be eaten any time of the night but it is be eaten any time of the night but it is sunnah to do it close to dawn.sunnah to do it close to dawn.

Tarawih: Tarawih: is a special night-time prayer is a special night-time prayer carried out only in Ramadan. It is not must carried out only in Ramadan. It is not must but sunnah. It consists of either 8 or 20 but sunnah. It consists of either 8 or 20 rakats.rakats.

LAYLATUL QAD’RLAYLATUL QAD’R Laylatul Qad’r:Laylatul Qad’r: is the most blessed night of the year. is the most blessed night of the year. It is the night which Allah Almighty chose to reveal the It is the night which Allah Almighty chose to reveal the

Holy Qur'an. Holy Qur'an. The Holy Qur'an has mentioned that this night is better The Holy Qur'an has mentioned that this night is better

than one thousand months than one thousand months The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that, in this night, Allah The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that, in this night, Allah

Almighty directs His special mercy towards the people of Almighty directs His special mercy towards the people of the earth, accepts the supplications made by His slaves the earth, accepts the supplications made by His slaves and forgives a large number of people who repent and and forgives a large number of people who repent and pray. pray.

Laylatul Qad’r falls on one of the last five odd nights of Laylatul Qad’r falls on one of the last five odd nights of Ramadan i.e. 21st, 23rd 25th, 27th and 29th Ramadan i.e. 21st, 23rd 25th, 27th and 29th

Spiritual benefits of RamadanSpiritual benefits of Ramadan

• The Prophet (PBUH) said that fasting is a shield The Prophet (PBUH) said that fasting is a shield against the Fire: "Fasting is a shield with which a against the Fire: "Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad, servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad, Saheeh]Saheeh]

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “ Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and with the hope of reward , all his previous sins will be forgiven . ”

• Laylatul Qad’r, the night of power, is in Ramadan. This night alone is worth the deeds of one thousand nights.

• Also by reading the Quran and abstaining from all sinful acts we get closer to Allah.

“All the deeds of man are for himself, except for fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward it MYSELF”.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said, that Allah said:

Potential Health benefits of Potential Health benefits of RamadanRamadan

lowering of blood sugarlowering of blood sugar lowering of cholesterol lowering of cholesterol lowering of the systolic blood pressure. lowering of the systolic blood pressure. Reducing obesity and essential hypertension. Reducing obesity and essential hypertension.

Social benefits of Ramadan.Social benefits of Ramadan.

Ramadan is a time when families meet Ramadan is a time when families meet and eat together during Iftar.and eat together during Iftar.

Social benefits of Ramadan…Social benefits of Ramadan…

Muslims are encouraged:Muslims are encouraged: For charitable contributions. For charitable contributions. To reach out to the poor and help them with To reach out to the poor and help them with

food for iftar.food for iftar. If a Muslim gives iftar to a fasting Muslim, If a Muslim gives iftar to a fasting Muslim,

he gets equal reward of the person’s he gets equal reward of the person’s fasting in addition to his own reward.fasting in addition to his own reward.

Ramadan @ AcadiaRamadan @ Acadia

We hold weekly Iftar gathering at Fountain We hold weekly Iftar gathering at Fountain Learning CommonsLearning Commons

Meal Hall arranges for a take away Meal Hall arranges for a take away breakfast breakfast

Tarawih at Wong International Center.Tarawih at Wong International Center. Generally Ramadan doesn’t interrupt the Generally Ramadan doesn’t interrupt the

every day activities of Muslim students.every day activities of Muslim students.

Eid Festival at the end of RamadanEid Festival at the end of Ramadan

Eid is the celebration held after RamadanEid is the celebration held after Ramadan It starts with Congregational prayer in the It starts with Congregational prayer in the

morningmorning Eid is a happy occasion where people Eid is a happy occasion where people

feast, visit each other and exchange giftsfeast, visit each other and exchange gifts

THANKS!!THANKS!!QUESTIONS???QUESTIONS???