RAMADAN AL-MUBARAK

Ramadan is the month of Fasting, where one is abstaining from eating and drinking of food and avoiding earthly pleasures from dawn till sundown, coupled with intentions of doing so is an act of worship.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is Obligatory to all Islam Believers who reached his Age of Puberty, Sane and able to Fast, for Fasting is One of the Five Pillars of Islam.

THE 5 PILLARS OF ISLAM

1. IMAN of FAITH - a declaration of Faith is called Shahadah, only purpose of life is to serve and obey God, and this is achieved through the teachings and practices of the Last Prophet - Muhammad (s.a.w.)

2. SALAH or Prayer - it is an obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day.

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• Fajr - early dawn prayer before sunrise ( b/n 4:00 - 4:30am )
• Zohr - after midday prayer ( b/n 12:30 to 2:30pm )
• Asr - late afternoon prayer (b/n 3:30 to 5:00pm)
• Maghrib - before sunset prayer ( b/n 6:00 - 6:30pm )
• Isha- late evening prayer ( b/n 7:30 to 11:30pm )

3. ZAKAT  or Giving ALMS- a financial obligation to all Muslim.

photo by: Reem

An individual may give as much as he or she pleases for giving Zakat it is an act of Charity

4. SAWN or FASTING - abstaining from eating and drinking foods and sexual relations/acts from dawn till sundown. God states in the Qur'an:  "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183).

5. HAJJ or PILGRIMAGE - the pilgrimage to Mecca is obligatory for those who are physically and financially able to do so.

photo by: Spirit Tourism

Individuals or persons who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are excused or permitted not to Fast during the month of Ramadan but they must to pay an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and physically able to do so.