Fasting during Ramadan is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam.It consists of healthy, accountable, and non-traveling Muslims abstaining

from food, drink, and sexual intimacy during daylight hours.

Fasting is an ancient form of worship. Its purpose, in essence, is not mere abstention from physical wants. Fasting, as the Qur’an declares, «is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may

attain Taqwa (God-consciousness or God-fearing piety).” (Qur’an2:183)

The physical fast is a means to the real, inner fast. Sawm, the Arabic word for fasting, means to refrain. Every part of the body practices the spirit of fasting by experiencing some form of restraint against sinning, such as the tongue from backbiting and the eyes from indecency. Otherwise, fasting would achieve nothing. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned, «How many persons fast and get nothing out of their fasting except

hunger!” (Ibn Majah)

Ramadan, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches, should change a Muslim into a better person who, when enticed to argue or quarrel, only responds with, “I AM FASTING.” In doing so, a Muslim learns

to rise above anger and revenge.

Typically, the start of Ramadan is welcomed with the greeting «RAMADAN MUBARAK (BLESSED RAMADAN).» Blessedness derives from the revelation of the Qur’an during this month. Fasting is a practical way to reconnect

Muslims to the social and benevolent message of the Qur’an.

The worldwide observance of the fast builds solidarity. The shared pangs of hunger and thirst encourage charity. The Iftar (breaking-the-fast meal) gatherings strengthen human ties. The special congregational Ramadan night prayers, with mosques filled with worshippers and homes busy with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, create a general atmosphere of

goodness and happiness.

Ramadan culminates with ̀ Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast), which enthusiastically begins with an early `Eid Prayer attended by everyone, followed by a day of feasting with family and friends. Children

often receive new clothes, gifts, and cash.

Muslims emerge from Ramadan with a renewed spirit and refocused sense of purpose. As Ramadan moves on, Muslims must continue the state of self-control and generosity and hang on to the God-consciousness

they have labored to earn. It is the key to all good.

SELF-IMPROVEMENT

DEFINITION

GOAL

GOD-CONSCIOUSNESS

BLESSEDNESS

APPLICATION

FULFILLMENT

PERSEVERANCE

There is nothing quite like the eager anticipation of and

countdown to sunset during Ramadan.

Following the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), 1.6 billion Muslims around the world break each day of the month-long, sunrise-to-sunset fast of Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, with a sincere supplication, a sip of water, and a couple of dates.

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