Great Muslim Lent: Traditions. "Well, why, why do Muslims hold such a difficult post?!" Why do Muslims fast

During the holy month of the Muslim calendar, which is called Ramadan in Arabic, or Ramadan in Turkish, Muslims are required to observe a strict fast - limit yourself to drinking, eating and intimacy.

Following the rules of Ramadan, mature people give up their passions. This is how they get rid of negativity.

The post ends with the great holiday of Uraza-Bayram.

Features and Traditions of Ramadan Fasting - What Are Iftar and Suhoor?

fasting believers test the strength of the human spirit. Compliance with the rules of Ramadan makes a person comprehend his way of life, helps to determine the main values ​​in life.

During Ramadan, a Muslim must restrict yourself not only in food, but also carnal satisfaction of their needs, as well as other addictions - for example, smoking. He must learn control yourself, your emotions.

Observing simple fasting rules, every believing Muslim should feel poor and starving, since the available benefits are often perceived as ordinary.

It is forbidden to swear in Ramadan. There is an opportunity to help the needy, the sick and the poor. Muslims believe that prayers and monthly abstinence will enrich everyone who follows the tenets of Islam.

There are two main prescriptions for fasting:

1. Follow the rules of fasting sincerely from dawn to dusk
2. Completely refrain from your passions and needs

And here are a few conditions for what a fasting person should be:

• Over 18 years old
• Muslim
• not insane
• Healthy physically

There are those for whom fasting is contraindicated, and they have the right not to observe it. These are minor children, the elderly and pregnant women, as well as those women who are menstruating or going through the time of postpartum cleansing.

Fasting Ramadan has several traditions

We list the most important:

Suhoor

Throughout Ramadan Muslims eat early in the morning, even before dawn. They believe that Allah will greatly reward such an action.

During the traditional suhoor don't overeat but you should eat enough food. Suhoor gives strength for the whole day. It helps Muslims to stay sane and not be angry, as hunger often causes anger.

If a believer does not perform suhoor, then his day of fasting remains in force, but he does not receive any reward.

Iftar

Iftar is evening meal, which is also performed during fasting. You need to start breaking the fast immediately after sunset, that is after the last day(or the fourth, penultimate prayer on that day). After Iftar follows Isha - night prayer of Muslims(the last of the five obligatory daily prayers).

What you can not eat in the post of Ramadan - all the rules and prohibitions

What to eat during Suhoor:

• Doctors recommend eating complex carbohydrates in the morning - cereal dishes, sprouted grain bread, vegetable salad. Complex carbohydrates will provide the body with energy, despite the fact that they are digested for a long time.
• Dried fruits - dates, nuts - almonds and fruits - are also suitable.

What not to eat during Suhoor

• Avoid protein foods. It takes a long time to digest, but loads the liver, which works without interruption during fasting.
• Should not be consumed
• You can not eat fried, smoked, fatty foods in the morning. They will cause unnecessary stress on the liver and kidneys.
• Refrain from eating fish during Suhoor. After it you want to drink

What not to eat in the evening after adhan

• Fatty and fried foods. It will harm health - cause heartburn, deposit extra pounds.
• Eliminate from food fast food- various cereals in bags or noodles. You won’t get enough of them and literally in an hour or two you will want to have a meal again. In addition, such products will cause appetite even more, as they contain salt and other spices.
• You can't eat sausage and sausages. It is better to exclude them from your diet during the fast of Ramadan. Sausages affect the kidneys and liver, satisfy hunger for only a few hours, and are also able to develop thirst.

Despite prohibitions and strict rules, there are benefits from fasting.:

• Rejection of carnal passions
  A person must understand that he is not a slave of his body. Fasting is a serious reason to give up intimacy. Only by refraining from sinful things can a person preserve his purity of soul.
• Self improvement
  By observing fasting, the believer is more attentive to himself. He gives birth to new character traits, such as humility, tolerance, obedience. Feeling poverty and deprivation, he becomes more resilient, gets rid of fear, more and more begins to believe and learn what was previously hidden.
• Gratitude
  Having gone through the refusal of food, a Muslim becomes closer to his Creator. He realizes that the innumerable blessings that Allah sends are given to man for a reason. The believer gains a sense of gratitude for the gifts sent.
• An Opportunity to Experience Mercy
  Fasting reminds people of the poor, and also calls to be merciful and help those in need. Having gone through this test, the believer remembers kindness and humanity, as well as the fact that everyone is equal before God.
• frugality
  Fasting teaches people to be economical, limit themselves and curb their desires.
• Strengthens health
  The benefit to the physical state of human health is manifested in the fact that the digestive system is resting. In a month, the intestines are completely cleansed of toxins, toxins and harmful substances.

Holy Ramadan timetable until 2020 - when does Ramadan fast start and end?

AT 2015 Ramadan will begin on June 18 and end on July 17.

Here are the dates of Holy Ramadan:

2016– from June 6 to July 5.
2017– from May 26 to June 25.
2018- from May 17 to June 16.
2019- from May 6 to June 5.
2020 from April 23rd to May 22nd.

Breaking the Ramadan Fast - Actions Breaking the Muslim Ramadan Fast and Punishments

It is worth noting that the rules of fasting Ramadan are valid only during the daytime. Some acts committed during fasting are considered forbidden.

Actions that interrupt the Muslim Ramadan include:

• Special or intentional meal
• Unspoken intention to fast
• Masturbation or intercourse
• Smoking
• Spontaneous vomiting
• Administration of rectal or vaginal medications

However condescension towards similar actions. Despite their similarities, they do not break the post.

They include:

• Unintentional meal
• Administration of drugs through injections
• kisses
• Petting, if they do not lead to ejaculation
• Teeth cleaning
• blood donation
• Period
• involuntary vomiting
• Failure to perform prayers

Punishments for breaking the Ramadan fast:

Those who unintentionally who broke the fast due to illness, must on any other day spend the missed day of fasting.

For sexual intercourse performed during daylight hours, the believer is obliged to defend another 60 days of fasting, or to feed 60 needy.

If a skipping the fast is allowed by shariah need to do repentance.

(meaning): “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for your predecessors - perhaps you will be afraid. You have to fast for a few days. And if any of you is sick or on a journey, then let him fast the same number of days at another time. And those who are able to fast with difficulty should feed the poor in expiation. And whoever does a good deed voluntarily, so much the better for him. But you'd better fast if you only knew! In the month of Ramadan, the Qur'an was sent down - guidance for the people, clear evidence of guidance and discernment. Those of you whom this month finds must fast. And if someone is sick or on a journey, then let him fast the same number of days at another time. Allah desires ease for you and He does not desire hardship for you.

He wants you to complete a certain number of days and praise Allah for having guided you to a straight path. Perhaps you will be grateful... You are allowed to have intercourse with your wives on the night of the fast. Your wives are your garment, and you are their garment. Allah knows that you are betraying yourselves (disobeying Allah and having sexual intercourse with your wives at night during fasting in Ramadan), and therefore He accepted your repentance and forgave you. From now on, enter into intimacy with them and strive for what Allah has prescribed for you. Eat and drink until you can distinguish the white thread of dawn from the black, and then fast until night ... "(Sura "al-Baqarah", verses 183-187).

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Where famous Czechoslovak travelers Jiri Ganzelka and Miroslav Zikmund have not been! Whatever the country, then a richly illustrated book - about how its people live, what customs they have, which most of all amazes travelers who have been here for the first time.
"The World Upside Down" is the title of one of the chapters in their book "Africa of Dreams and Reality". This is how the Arab world appeared in the holy month of Ramadan to its authors. “From the moment when the crescent of the new moon appears in the night sky,” travelers say, “the Muslim world turns upside down for four weeks. Night turns into day and day into night. From sunrise to sunset, believers should not touch food and drink, smoke and communicate with members of the opposite sex.
The month of Ramadan is a fasting period that is obligatory for all Muslims. Fasting this month is called uraza.
As follows from the teachings of Islam, it was established by the will of Allah. “Eat, drink until then,” the Koran says, “until you can not distinguish between a white thread and a black thread. From dawn until night, fast."
Its conditions are quite difficult. It is impossible not only to eat, drink, smoke, but in general to do what can give pleasure. A Muslim must be vigilant: God forbid, if he accidentally swallows a fly, if a drop of rain or dew gets into his mouth, if he pours palms full of water, inhales the smell of flowers. This day of fasting will be "corrupted". It is replaced by an additional one and reinforced by an atoning sacrifice.
During uraza, you can not take medicine, apply it to the wound. But it is recommended to intensively read the Koran. Because it was in the month of Ramadan, according to theologians, that Allah gave the holy book to guide people.
What is the true origin of Islamic fasting? For an answer, one will have to turn to the pre-Islamic history of the peoples of Arabia, because the fast in the month of Ramadan already existed then. According to the religious teachings of the Manichean sect, their fast lasted thirty days, interrupted at sunset.
What did this feature of the rite depend on? It turns out that from the cult of the moon common among the ancient Arabs. As a sign of her reverence, they allowed themselves to eat and drink only at night.
The month of Ramadan itself was considered sacred by the Arabs, or forbidden, even before Islam. It was the first in their fixed calendar and fell in the middle of summer, the hardest time of the year. The word "Ramadan" is translated as "strong heat", "hot time".
The sun mercilessly burned the steppe, and during the day, because of the heat, life froze. When the moon rose high in the sky above the heads of people, with its cold light it seemed to drive out the scorching heat, and people could work.
Turning to the savior-moon, the Arabs begged her to send rain, precious water, which had to be saved during the day during forced idleness. A ban was also placed on food during the day, because in the summer its stocks were negligible.
This is how the fast of Ramadan was originally formed.

The followers of Islam now have the holy month of Ramadan, in which every believer fasts. They live according to the lunar calendar, which means that every year the period of spiritual purification begins at different times, but certainly on the 9th month of the year. In 2018, Ramadan began on May 15 and will end on June 14. All this time, Muslims are forbidden to take food and water during daylight hours. And only after sunset, the usual way of life begins: the family starts the meal.

The holy month was created for spiritual and bodily cleansing. Ramadan is honored as a memory of the fact that it was during this period that the first lines of the Koran appeared to the prophet Muhammad. It is believed that during this period the gates of Paradise are open and the doors to hell are closed, and even the devils are chained. For a whole month, those who honor Islamic traditions pray more than usual and adhere to strict fasting.

But the day before Ramadan, you need to prepare. Perform a full body wash and state your intention to fast. Then say a special prayer and the next morning forget about food in the daytime. The main thing is to do good deeds, give alms to the needy and feed the hungry.

Proponents of Islam claim that fasting helps Muslims control their emotions. So they are freed from everything negative: anger, envy, temptations. The main task of the righteous is to draw closer to Allah. Fasting contributes to this in the best possible way, pacifying the soul and flesh.

What time can you eat today in fasting: who is allowed not to abstain

There are some exceptions for certain categories of people who, for objective reasons, cannot adhere to traditions. We are talking about pregnant and lactating women, children under the age of majority, the sick and the elderly. They are allowed not to fast, otherwise there is a risk of deterioration in their health.

If, due to circumstances, you have to retreat from fasting for several days, then after the end of Ramadan, it is important to compensate for these days by following the abstinence from food and water during the day for the same number of days. Another option is to feed the hungry. At the same time, for the amount that a person usually spends on groceries for himself for one day. For each day of departure from fasting - one hungry must.

Thus, Muslims in Ramadan eat from dusk to dawn, and during the day they pray and, at first glance, lead their usual way of life. Night hours become a small holiday in such a difficult and responsible period of life as fasting. For the entire period of the holy month, you need to give up bad habits and in no case lead an intimate life during the day. This is one of the most serious violations.

Ramadan is the holy and main month of Muslims. At this time, they begin fasting, which is prescribed for almost everyone. The holiday month of Ramadan is a time of reflection on one's "I". Muslims renounce almost all worldly goods such as water, food, intimacy and any bad habits.

Post Features

Fasting in the month of Ramadan can last up to 30 days. It takes place at different times, depending on the lunar calendar, according to which it is set. The main feature of Ramadan is that it starts every day as soon as the dawn has come. Muslims perform the first prayer - the morning azan, and from that moment the fast begins, but every evening, immediately after sunset, when the last prayer of the day, the evening azan, is completed, the fast ends, and it will continue only with the onset of the next morning. That is, the post does not work at night. For this reason, it is forbidden to have sexual intercourse during this month only during the day, since there is essentially no such post at night.

The beginning of Ramadan is heralded by the appearance of the young moon, which is met by Muslims.

Early in the morning or late in the evening, after prayer, every Muslim says aloud the following words: “Today (tomorrow) I will fast the holy month of Ramadan in the name of Allah.”

Throughout Ramadan, one can note an increase in the number of good deeds, the performance of good deeds and the distribution of alms. The fact is that according to the speeches of Muhammad, during fasting, Allah increases the significance of any good deed by 700 times, and the devil at this time is chained and is not able to prevent a person from doing good or doing good deeds.

On the streets in the hands of children and near houses in the month of Ramadan, you can often see lanterns - fanuses. It is a very ancient tradition to light them, especially at night. This is a kind of part of the post, a kind of symbol. Also, in honor of the beginning of the month, fireworks and salutes are often arranged, but such joys are arranged after sunset. Some people also decorate houses, for example, with the same lanterns and different kinds of illumination.

Given that Muslims have little to do during the day, the streets are deserted. But at night, all the stalls with street food and entertainment open, as you can eat and have fun.

Food and water

Ramadan literally paints all the canons by the hour. The morning meal (suhoor) takes place before dawn, that is, before the sun rises, you can have breakfast, but with the first rays of the sun, the meal ends. After that, the Fajr (pre-dawn prayer) is read. The evening meal (iftar) takes place after sunset, when it gets dark. First you need to pronounce and then start eating. The meal begins by drinking three sips of water and eating a few dates.

Any dishes are served on this holiday - both meat and vegetables, as well as cereals. From drinks, preference is given to tea, coffee, milk and water.

Water is one of the prohibitions of the month of Ramadan. However, this does not mean only the refusal to drink water. Any presence of liquid in the mouth with its subsequent swallowing is prohibited. Up to the point that you can’t swallow water when you brush your teeth, or your partner’s saliva when you kiss. If you take a shower and accidentally get water in your mouth, you should also spit it out, not swallow it.

The meaning of fasting in Ramadan

The main goal of Ramadan is to strengthen the spirit and willpower, demonstrate faith, spiritual and physical faith and strength, control over one's thoughts and desires. That is, at this time, Muslims test themselves for strength, you can put it this way. This is the time when you can prove how persistent you are, show strength of mind.

And yet, the holy month of Ramadan is always regularly observed by all Muslims, even if they live in another country. This is a sacred rule, one of the And if someone could not fast for various reasons, this person must observe it in any other month, but always before the next Ramadan.

Contemplation and reflection are essential companions of Ramadan. Reading the Qur'an and spending the whole day in prayer is a natural way of life throughout the fast. Muslims rethink their past deeds, plan future deeds, in principle, this post was created for this. The point is not to cleanse the body or not eat for a long time, but to look at your achievements from the outside, to realize that a person has, what is missing, to think about all this. And the refusal of food, water and love relationships frees up time for spiritual growth and clears the head of all unnecessary thoughts.

Who is exempt from the post?

The beginning of the month of Ramadan is the same for everyone, however, there are people who may not observe the fast, or “postpone” it. People of a different religion, small children or adults with various psychological illnesses that prevent fasting. Pregnant and lactating mothers may also not fast. Indeed, in these cases, the correct and timely intake of food can affect not only health, but also human life. Women during critical days can also not fast, but only if they themselves want it.

In any case, even mentally ill people or a nursing mother can fast if she wants to. This is dangerous, but important for Muslims, and therefore such cases also occur.

It is not necessary to fast in principle for those who are physically unable to do so. For example, if a person is seriously ill and needs to eat right, or if he is a very elderly, almost infirm person, or if he is a traveler who needs strength for the road. For example, a lost traveler without food can even die, he needs to eat when possible. If a person flies to an important meeting, he needs strength, as a difficult journey and stress can greatly undermine health.

What can be done in Ramadan

• Do not deviate from the rules of fasting.
• Take food or water as needed.
• To wash with water or to bathe, but that water does not get into the mouth.
• Do good deeds.
• Kiss without swallowing your partner's saliva.
• Donate blood.

What not to do in Ramadan

• You can not drink alcohol in any of its forms and manifestations.
• Smoking is also prohibited.
• Inhale various strong aromatic odors.
• Drip drops into eyes, nose or ears.
• Retain the contents of the intestine or, conversely, induce vomiting.
• Have sexual intercourse (during the day), and in any form.
• Put banks.
• Eat and drink.
• Use medicines vaginally or rectally.

When Ramadan is broken

Depending on the reason, different punishments are established for breaking the fast during the holy month of Ramadan. So, for example, if the cause was illness or old age, you need to feed the poor, and the amount spent on him should be equal to the price of the food eaten by yourself.

If the reason is good: pregnancy, travel or other good reasons. Ramadan for such people is postponed and performed at any other time, until the next Ramadan. Separately missed days of fasting, for example, due to critical days, are transferred to the next month. That is, the fast will end not at the appointed time, but after the “working out” of those days that the Muslim missed.

If during the fast sexual intercourse was committed during the day, this is punishable by 60 days of continuous fasting. That is, you need to fast twice as much. True, such a punishment can be replaced by feeding 60 poor people.

Regardless of the reason, any violation of fasting is a grave sin, so a person must repent.

The end of the month of Ramadan will mark the beginning of the new month of Shawwal. or Eid ul-Fitr, the so-called holiday, which is arranged after sunset of the last day of fasting. A solemn meal is arranged in honor of a successful Ramadan and obligatory alms are brought.