The Fourth Pillar of Islām

Aṣ Ṣawm (Ramaḍān Fasting) is the fourth pillar of Islam. It involves abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, and other physical desires from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramaḍān. Fasting is seen as a way to gain self-discipline, get closer to God, and develop sympathy for the poor.

Lawful Things to Monitor in Ramaḍān

Aṣ Ṣalāh: The five daily prayer (Aṣ Ṣalāh) is an obligatory prayer, let's make sure we are observing each Ṣalāh (Prayer) in the month of Ramaḍān and even after the month of Ramaḍān.

At Tahajjud: Focus on heartfelt prayer in the mid-night by acknowledging Allāh's greatness, gratitude, seeking for forgiveness and personal supplications.

Al Qurʾān: Let's be more in reading Al Qur’ān in the month of Ramaḍān because we will be having 10 rewards on each alphabets and many more benefits.

Aṣ Ṣadaqah: Doing charity is highly encouraged in the month of Ramaḍān because there's a lot of reward in doing charity. Let's be more in helping the needy & the poor in the month of Ramaḍān and even after the month of Ramaḍān.

Adhkār: Remembrance of Allāh is highly a recommended act in Ramaḍān. Let's be more in doing Adhkār in the month of Ramaḍān like Astagfirullah, Alhamdulillah, and so on.

At-Tasbīḥ: At-Tasbīḥ is one of the lawful and recommmended acts during the month of Ramaḍān. It means glorifying and declaring the perfection of Allāh, affirming that He is free from any imperfection.

Avoiding Unlawful Things: One of the important objectives of fasting in the month of Ramaḍān is to train Muslims to stay away from unlawful actions like lying, gambling, furnicating, idolatory acts e.t.c.

Those Exempted From Fasting

The Sick: The person who is ill/sick and fasting may worsen the illness or delay recovery is allowed to break the fast.

The Traveler: A Muslim who is travelling a considerable distance is permited to break the fast.

The Oldage: An elderly person who is physically unable to fast is exempted from fasting in the month of Ramaḍān.

Menstruating Woman: A woman who is doing her monthly circle is exempted from fasting during Ramaḍān, but she must make up the missed fast after Ramaḍān.

Pregnant Woman: Pregnant woman who fears harm to herself or the baby should not fast.

Breastfeeding Woman: A woman breastfeeding a baby who fears harm to herself or the baby should not fast.

The Kids: Children who have not reached puberty/maturity stage are not obligated to fast. But we can introduce it to them from seven (7) years old, so as to be familiar with it.

The Insanity: A person who has lost mental capacity is not responsible for any religious obligations.

What to do if you're unable to complete your fasting due to above listed reasons

Fidyah: This is a payment or provision made to feed a poor person for each day of fasting missed, when an individual is unable to fast due to:

• Illness
• Old age
• Pregnant woman (if fasting would harm the woman)
• Breastfeeding woman (if fasting would harm the mother or child)

Fidyah provides flexible & compassion for individuals facing challenges while fulfilling there spiritual obligations e.g the poor or the needy.

Virtues of the Month of Ramaḍān

• Ramaḍān is the Month of Al-Qurʾān: The month of Ramaḍān is the month in which the glorius Qurʾān was revealed to the prophet (S.A.W). Therefore one of the greatest virtues of Ramaḍān is that it reconnects the Ummah with the Book of Allāh.
• Ramaḍān is the Month of ʿIbādah: The month of Ramaḍān is the month in which all muslim turn back to Almighty Allāh by doing the lawful things and avoiding the unlawful things.
• Ramaḍān is the Month of Taqwā: The greatest virtue of Ramaḍān is that it builds Taqwā (Fear of God), consciousness of Allah in secret and public.
• Ramaḍān is the Month of Raḥmah: The greatest virtue of Ramaḍān is that Almighty Allāh will shower his mercy on everyone of us, and we would receive blessings from different angles.
• Ramaḍān is the Month of Magfirah: The month of Ramaḍān is the month of forgiveness because whoever fast Ramaḍān with faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.
• Ramaḍān is the Month of Immeasurable Rewards: The month of Ramaḍān is the month in which Almighty Allāh will reward everyone of us in multiples, in multitudes, in bountiful because on every good deeds will be rewarded multiply by ten (10) of the normal stipulated reward.
• Ramaḍān is the Month of Laylatul Qadr: The month of Ramaḍān is the month of laylatul qadr. A single night which is more better than thousands of month.

What to say upon breaking a Fast

When breaking a Fast endeavor to say:

• "Alḥamdulillah" ("Praise be to Allāh")
• "Allāhumma laka ṣumtu wa ʿalā rizqika afṭartu" ("Oh Allāh, I fasted for you and upon Your provision I break my fast")
• "Dhahabaẓ ẓamaʾu, wabtallatil ʿurūq, wa thabatal ajru inshāʾallāh" ("The thirst is gone, and the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allāh wills")