FASTING IN RAMADAN: The Annual Habit of Highly Successful and Satisfied People. Second Edition: Follows the globally popular first edition titled “Ramadan- Time to purify and train body and soul”. A quick and easy explanation of the meaning, purpose and benefits of fasting in Islam.

1. A quick and easy explanation of the meaning, purpose and benefits of fasting in Islam In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Ever Merciful The Annual Habit of Highly Successful and Satisfied People Second Edition Follows the globally popular first edition titled “ Ramadan- Time to purify and train body and soul” “ I passed the presentation on to our World Religion teachers and they really liked it”- Anna from Canada “ A very beneficial presentation for all Muslims/Non-Muslims alike”- Saraj from UK FASTING IN RAMADAN More On Islam Briefcast Series

2. The Proven Habit of Successful People Ramadan is a great opportunity each year for those who are seeking God-consciousness, personality development, success, happiness and the most important of all, Almighty’s blessings and rewards. For more than 1400 years now, millions of Muslims have derived and experienced numerous benefits from Ramadan such as: Bliss Self improvement Peace & Contentment Character building Success Fasting in Ramadan has been and remains an annual practice of highly successful and satisfied people.

3. Fasting: A Pillar of Islam FAITH PRAYER FASTING ZAKAT HAJJ FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Declaring and believing “There is no god worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger.” 1 st Performing the obligatory prayers five times a day 2 nd Observing dawn-to-dusk abstinence in the month of Ramadan 3 rd Giving charity 4 th Undertaking Pilgrimage to Makkah 5 th

4. Ramadan – Most Sacred Month in the Islamic Calendar Islamic Calendar or the Hijri Calendar is based on the lunar year. Ramadan Safar Muharram Rabi Al Awwal Jumadi Al Awwal Rabi At Thani Jumadi At Thani Shaban Rajab Dhul Qaidah Shawwal Dhul Hijjah It is obligatory on Muslims to fast all days in this month.

6. Ramadan: Month of Revelation of the Qur'an “… Indeed it is We Who have revealed it and it is indeed We Who are its guardians” [ Qur’an 15:9] [ Buy ] “ A Book which We have revealed unto you in order that you may lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light- by the leave of their Lord- to the way of (Him) the exalted in Power, Worthy of all praise!” [ Qur’an 14:1] source of transformation “ The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance for people and clear proofs of the guidance and the Criterion (between right and wrong)” [ Qur’an 2:185] “ It is He Who sent down to you in truth, the book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Torah (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus)…” [ Qur’an 3:3] culmination of guidance safe & original

7. Qur'an: The Ultimate Guidance “ O mankind! there has come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts,- and for those who believe, a guidance and a Mercy. ” [ Qur’an 10:57] “ Verily this Qur'an does guide to that which is most right ” [ Qur’an 17:9] Shows ways of successful living Provides answers & solutions Presents Almighty’s signs Cures bad conduct Explains right & wrong Brings peace & security

8. Fasting means Abstinence Drink Food Sex To stop eating, drinking and sex from dawn until dusk X X X

9. The Ramadan Time-table Day Night Eating, drinking and sex is permitted Eating, drinking and sex forbidden “ Eat Suhur (pre-dawn meal), for there are blessings in it.” – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) [Sahih Bukhari, Book 31, Hadith 146] Eating before dawn Breaking the fast Special Prayers Special Prayers First ten days God’s Mercy Middle ten days God’s Forgiveness Salvation from Hell-fire Last ten days Days of Ramadan

11. Reward of Fasting By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.” Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) proclaimed the reward of fasting: [Sahih Muslim, Book 6, Hadith Number 2567] “ Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarrelling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.'

12. Why Fasting? The Goal of Fasting is to develop Self-Restraint. Holy Qur'an states: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may develop Taqwa (self-restraint) ” [ Qur’an 2:183] Fear of God Love of God + About Taqwa Taqwa is an Arabic word. Taqwa is the consciousness of Almighty. It is the state of heart that motivates virtuous conduct and prevents evil action. Taqwa is the ability ‘to guard against, preserve, shield and prevent’. Taqwa Example: God says about Mary in the Qur’an that she said: “Verily!, I have vowed a fast to the Most Beneficent…” [Qur’an Chapter Maryam – 19:26].

13. The Need for Taqwa* Holy Qur'an states: “O you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and do not let the hatred of any people make you to depart from justice. Act justly, that is nearer to Taqwa. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is well aware of what you do.” [ Qur’an 5:8] Spiritual shield against evil Holy Qur'an states: “On the day (The day of judgement) when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, and all the evil it has done” [ Qur’an 3:30] To prepare for accountability before the Creator Holy Qur'an states: “… for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” [ Qur’an 13:28] To experience happiness and satisfaction Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Piety and Righteousness is being of good character.” [Sahih Muslim] To build good character He (Lord of the worlds) is worthy to be feared [Qur’an 74:56) To be fair and just > > > > * This slide does not provide an exhaustive, but only an illustrative list to highlight the need for Taqwa

14. Caliph Ali’s description of the people of Taqwa “ The world tempts them, but they do not succumb . It imprisons them, but they ransomed themselves in exchange.” “ They combine knowledge with tolerance and speech with action.” “ They do not call anyone names nor do they hurt their neighbors . They do not curse at the time of difficulties nor do they venture into falsehood.” “ The people of Taqwa on earth are those of virtue: their speech is correct (true); their garments are of moderate nature and their walk is one of humility. They lower their gaze when they see something that Allah has forbidden them to see, and they give ear to beneficial knowledge.” “ They are not prejudiced against those they dislike nor do they favor those they love.” “ They maintain their integrity in both adversity and prosperity” (May Allah be pleased with him)

15. Annual Training for Character-building Ramadan provides a training opportunity that is meant to facilitate good behaviour throughout the year Ramadan Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever can guarantee the chastity of what is between his two jaws-bones (tongue) and what is between his two legs (private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [Sahih Bukhari, Book 76, Hadith 481] (pbuh) Rest of the year Ramadan

16. How Character-building is Achieved Taqwa (God consciousness & Self-restraint) Fasting Good speech & control of the tongue develops inculcates Avoidance of evil & useless talk Controlling of sight & lowering of gaze Gratitude, humility & caring Purity of thought, self-control, and patience Responsibility towards poor & after-life accountability Fairness, justice and honesty “… And give, (O Prophet), glad tidings to those that humble themselves (before Allah)” [ Qur’an 22:34]

17. Fasting and Sins Don’t Go Together Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “ Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink” (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.) [Sahih Bukhari Volume 003, Book 031, Hadith Number 127 ] “ When any one of you gets up in the morning in the state of fasting, he should neither use obscene language nor do any act of ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’” [Sahih Muslim Book 006, Hadith Number 2563]

19. Health Benefits of Fasting It promotes elimination of metabolic wastes It allows the body to adjust and normalize its biochemistry and also its secretions It lets the body break down and absorb swellings, deposits, diseased tissues, and abnormal growths; It restores a youthful condition to the cells and tissues It increases the powers of digestion and assimilation ( absorption and utilization of food into the system) It permits the conservation and re-routing of energy; It clears and strengthens the mind; It gives vital organs a complete rest  Fasting is good for the human body * From the Book Triumph Over Disease By Fasting and Natural Diet, Chapter 10, by Dr Jack Goldstein