Ramadhan is near.

Wow…time do really flies. Ramadhan is just another 5 days from today. Are you prepared?

Asaalamualaikum to everybody here.

This is about the lovely time of the year called RAMADHAN and this is a special time of year obviously because Ramadhan is the month of the Qur'an. It is also a time where we all get the chance to redeem ourselves and do good in this month filled with great blessings, insyaallah, there will be many opportunities to do good in this ramadhan.

Fasting and Zakah (giving alms) are two of the five pillars of Islam and are both obligatory on every muslim individual. With Ramadhan so near, every Muslim must take spiritual and academic preparation for it. It is also common for Muslims to choose Ramadan as the ideal month to fulfill the Zakah (giving alms) obligation as their reward is multiplied by paying their Zakah in the holy month of Ramadhan. If you want to contribute, just click your cursor here (https://www.roslihanip.com/articles/Sumbangan_Al-Hikmah.pdf)

For me, If I get to live through Ramadhan, I am determined to make the most of it. Not a second to be wasted! I have made a timetable, planning my day out so I can do as much Ibadah as possible. I recommend everyone to do the same. This is useful.

To understand the significance of the fasting month of Ramadhan, one must prepare for it not only bodily but also spiritually. During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, marital relations or getting angry during the daylight hours. In addition, those fasting are supposed to refrain from bad habits – lying, getting angry, using bad language as well as to be more diligent in prayer and give to charities. It is believe that fasting heightens spirituality and develops self-control.

The fast begins in the morning just before sunrise, at Imsak, and is broken at maghrib which falls at sunset. Fasting during the month of Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam and an obligation for devout Muslims.

Those who are expected to fast include: adults (defined as those who have reached the age of puberty) and those who are sane. Those who are not expected to fast include: children, women having their period, travelers, the sick, those with long-term illnesses, pregnant or breastfeeding women and the mentally ill.

The faithful who fast awaken early in the morning to have a meal before subuh. In order to awaken the faithful, the call to prayer is sounded from neighborhood mosques. In addition, groups of young boys walk around neighborhoods beating on drums and other noise makers to awaken the faithful.

The breaking of the fast at sunset is a very social occasion for which special foods are prepared for gatherings with family or friends. Upon hearing the sound of the beduk drum on the television or the call to prayer from the neighborhood mosque at sunset, the faithful know it's time to break their fast, or buka puasa. This is usually done with a very sweet drink and sweet snacks. Maghrib prayers are made before a full meal is served. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an during the bleseed month of Ramadhan. We need to perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special prayers, called Taraweh, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (juz, which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.

The schedule for Imsak and Maghrib is posted in major newspapers and on the television throughout Malaysia. You could not miss it.

While it is expected that people will keep to their normal activities during the fast, needless to say the lack of liquid and food during the day and the unusual sleep and meal schedule soon take their toll. After the first week you may see that sleep and food deprivation cause those fasting to have reduced energy levels as well as finding it more difficult to concentrate on tasks.

Why does Islam oblige its followers to fast during Ramadhan each year?

1. To develop compassion for the poor and needy who feel hungry every day.
2. As a spiritually and physically cleansing experience. Just as in other world religions, fasting is seen as an opportunity to separate yourself from the things of this world and to concentrate on your relationship with God.
3. To become closer to God by contemplating his will in your life.
4. To build self-discipline and to become a better person.

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).