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Deliberate eating or drinking during fasting hours. If
anything enters the body through the nose or mouth - this
includes smoking or sniffing any
powdered substance. Having any conjugal relations during
fasting hours.
An injection in the muscle is allowed during fasting but not an
intravenous nutritional injection. Unintentional eating or
drinking due to forgetfulness or rinsing out the mouth or
bathing and putting drops in the eye do not make the fast
invalid. A
Muslim is expected to remain away from all bad actions during
his fast. He should not tell a lie, break a promise or do any
deceitful act. The very purpose of fasting is to make a Muslim
able to control his passions, so that he becomes a person of
good deeds and intentions. Anger - a common human weakness can
also be brought under control by fasting. In addition to the
compulsory fasting in Ramadan a Muslim may fast during other
times of the year. These fasts will be treated as
Sunnah.
Fasting
is not allowed during menstruation of women. They are required
to make up the days lost during this period at some other
time.
A Muslim
should not fast:
On the
day of Eid ul Fitr.
On the day of Eid ul Adha
On the 11th and 12th of Zilhajj.
The Qur'an was revealed in the month of Ramadan. There is a
night in the month which is ...
"Better than a thousand months" - (97:3). This night is
called Lailatul Qadr (Night of Power).
According to
Hadith this night occurs during the last ten days of Ramadan -
most probably in the odd numbered nights. It is a night of
great importance , we should worship as much as we can on this
night.
An
additional prayer known as "Tarawih" - (20 Rakah or 8 Rakah) is
offered during Ramadan after Isha prayers. This is a Sunnah
prayer in which efforts are made to recite as much of the
Qur'an as possible. In many Mosques the whole Qur'an is recited
in Tarawih Prayer. This prayer is generally offered in
congregation. Those who cannot join a congregation should
offerTarawih at home. A pre dawn meal known as Suhur is taken
in Ramadan.
At the
end of Ramadan Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr - a day of
thanksgiving and happiness. It is one of the great occasions
for the Muslim community. On this day Muslims offer special
prayers in congregation and thank Allah for his Blessings and
mercy.
Hajj - is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is
a visit to Al Ka'bah - the house of Allah in Makkah. It must be
performed at least once in a lifetime by those Muslims who
afford to make the journey are physically fit and are
financially solvent.
When
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) migrated to Madinah he was told to face
in the direction of Jerusalem when praying. After about 16
months Allah commanded him to face Makkah. Makkah, with the
Ka'bah, is the house of God - and facing in its direction is
also a sign of unity. The duration of Hajj is 8-9 days in which
the person performs various obligatory duties, and
gives sacrifice to expiate sins. It can be said, therefore,
that the concept of worship in Islam is different to other
practices as it means obeying Allah; habits of sleep, eating,
toiletry all of which when performed properly are regarded as a
continuous worship. A Muslim obeys the Qur'an and does not
allow for change or compromise as the Qur'an is for present and
future
and also it has spoken about the past. Thus there are no
doctrines, commissions or links needed through which to obtain
salvation as God can be approached directly.
Al Ka'bah - known as Baitullah (House of
Allah) is a cube like one storey building which was built
originally by Prophet Adam and later rebuilt by Prophet Ibrahim
(Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael). It is the first house
ever built for the sole purpose of the worship of Allah.
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