Not Even Water??
Omar Rachid
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Life & Times
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"And no water?" This is the most common remark I get when explaining what fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is to Muslims. Thursday, September 13 for North America and September 14 for most of the Muslim world marked the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar for the year 1428.
Sawm, or fasting, is one of the five pillars
of Islam and is a moment of great joy for Muslims even though it may not appear to be so. We fast from a bit before sunrise to sunset for the period of one lunar cycle which could be equivalent to either 29 or 30 days.
Nothing is supposed to go through your throat while fasting; this means no food, water, or smoking. In addition, out of respect to God, humans should refrain from
sexual activity during the day and alcohol and swine at night.
Often the question arises of whether Muslims
should brush their teeth during the day, a Hadith (a book with the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) sayings and ways) answers this saying that "To Allah, the breath of a person fasting is sweeter than musk." In this blessed month, 1428 years ago, the final revelation of the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad(Peace Be Upon Him) through Archangel Gabriel.
This occurred specifically on the 26th of Ramadan which is called Lailat-ul-Qadr, the night of destiny or the night of power. This is the most important day during the month
of Ramadan because "according to a verse in the Qur'an" prayer during the night of destiny brings as much reward as would doing the same action for 1000 months that do not contain this night. Because of this, some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer in hopes of forgiveness.
The word Ramadan means parched thirst or scorched earth--it is used to figuratively define what happens to the submitter's sins. Allah, through his divine mercy, will forgive the previous sins committed by the person fasting. Elderly, ill, traveling, or physically unable Muslims who cannot fast are encouraged to make up their days in the month preceding or succeeding Ramadan, give to charity in exchange, and even then if a person is economically deprived, reciting the Qur'an and prayer will suffice.
Sawm, or fasting, is one of the five pillars
of Islam and is a moment of great joy for Muslims even though it may not appear to be so. We fast from a bit before sunrise to sunset for the period of one lunar cycle which could be equivalent to either 29 or 30 days.
Nothing is supposed to go through your throat while fasting; this means no food, water, or smoking. In addition, out of respect to God, humans should refrain from
sexual activity during the day and alcohol and swine at night.
Often the question arises of whether Muslims
should brush their teeth during the day, a Hadith (a book with the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) sayings and ways) answers this saying that "To Allah, the breath of a person fasting is sweeter than musk." In this blessed month, 1428 years ago, the final revelation of the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad(Peace Be Upon Him) through Archangel Gabriel.
This occurred specifically on the 26th of Ramadan which is called Lailat-ul-Qadr, the night of destiny or the night of power. This is the most important day during the month
of Ramadan because "according to a verse in the Qur'an" prayer during the night of destiny brings as much reward as would doing the same action for 1000 months that do not contain this night. Because of this, some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer in hopes of forgiveness.
The word Ramadan means parched thirst or scorched earth--it is used to figuratively define what happens to the submitter's sins. Allah, through his divine mercy, will forgive the previous sins committed by the person fasting. Elderly, ill, traveling, or physically unable Muslims who cannot fast are encouraged to make up their days in the month preceding or succeeding Ramadan, give to charity in exchange, and even then if a person is economically deprived, reciting the Qur'an and prayer will suffice.
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