1. Fasting
When
Muslims fast every day in the month of Ramdan the 9th month of the Islamic
Calender.
Ramadhan is a very holy mth. During this month that the holy quran was
revealed to guide mankind .also clear signs for Guidance and Judgment
between right and wrong
The believers make special efforts during this month to do charitable acts
and to correct their behaviour or imperfection that they may have.
Why
Muslims throughout the world fast as it is a command of Allah
Chapter 2: verse 183states : Ya aiyu halladzina ahmanu kutiba alaikumus
siyaamu. Kama kutiba allaadzina minkablikum la allakum tattakun.
Divinely prescribed to attain physical and spiritual well being. Arabic word
for sawm is abstaining from certain things.Fasting was commanded by God
even before Islam.
The aim of fasting is to acquire taqwa or God consciousness.
Thus ramadhan helps us to uplift our morality as well as spirituality.
As Ramadan helps us to develop our moral discipline, it also
reminds us of the plight of those who live in constant hunger
and deprivation. We are reminded time and again by the
revealed book that religiosity is meaningless and pointless if
it does not lead people to care and share
WHO
Fasting is compulsory for all able body person
It is compulsory for female age of 12 and male age of 9
Those exempted are the sick, long distance travelers medically not fit
How do Muslims start their fast
Normally Muslims wake up very early between 4.30 am and 5.00am to
partake in a very special meal called sahr. This is a light meal similar to our
breakfast. Our Prophet used to have 7dates as a meal. Before the fast we
formulate our intention or Niat that we are fasting for God. It differs from
those under a diet plan. After the meal we read quran or pray.
Around 5.30am we stop eating, to begin a 14 to 15 hours fast.

2. During the hours of fasting, Muslims carry on with their normal duties but
with greater awareness of the need to avoid sinful acts and to increase good
deeds.
Time to correct one’s behavior. Pay Zakah al Fitri due at end of the fast
each year. Purpose is to allow those who fasted to make up for their
errors .
We have to be aware of our behavior and develop integrity and patience.
The fast is a personal obligatory duty in Islam that aims to strengthen our
God consciousness. . Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and
sex from dawn to sunset. Although we can cheat by eating and drinking
behind closed doors, but a Muslim will not do so because we are aware that
God is always watching.. This is call God consciousness.
After 14 to 15 hrs of fasting we finally break our fast at sunset around
7.00pm.
This is a very happy moment ..Break fast with dates and water. Dates is a
quick source of energy and can restore our blood sugar level quickly. We are
appreciative of even a glass of plain water.
After that we take a porridge comprising various kinds of grains cooked with
mutton and aromatic spices called Bubur Asura.
This is a tradition from Prophet Noah. when the flood subsided Noah
gathered all kinds of grains to cook this porridge.
Some break fast at home with their family while others break fast at the
mosque. Food is provided free of charge at the mosque.
Apart from dates and this special porridge that has special significance we
all take food according to our culture. While Malays and Indian muslims
prefer nasi briyani and curry puffs Chinese Muslims take soupy food with
noodles.
After this light meal we perform prayers. After prayers we wait for the
evening prayers.
Which is one and half hrs later.
The evening prayers during the month of Ramadhan is a set of long prayers
lasting from 11/2 hrs to 2 hrs. this is called the taraweh prayers.
Laila Tul Qadr
During the last 10 days there is a special night which is called the night of
power. The quran describes this night as better than a thousand months.
Reward for praying during this night is 1000months =83years The exact
date of this night is a divine secret.

3. Muslims will spend the night praying some even spend the last 10 days in
the mosque in total devotion in the hope of seeking it.
After fasting 30 days Muslim celebrate the completion of their fast on Idil
Fitri -Hari Raya Puasa.
After taking ablution which is a ritualistic Bath - dress in best go to grave to
pray for their ancestor before going to mosque to perform Hari Raya prayers
After that greet each other to show gratitude for completing their fast
The most meaningful Maaf Zahir dan batin seek forgiveness from parents,
relatives and friends . Once a year renew relationship and strengthen bonds
and family ties.
Muslim homes will hold open house Invite friends to share the good food
that they have prepared.
Taqwa is equally the process by which the believers
internalize the sublime values of revelation and develop their
character. Thus the Qur'an reminds the believers that they
should not reduce religious practices to a set of blind rituals,
of religiously ordained procedures performed at the level of
physical movement, and that they should always be mindful
that religious practices, like praying and fasting, ultimately
aim at bringing about moral and spiritual uplifting: "It is not
righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or
West: But it is righteousness to believe in God and the Last
day, and the Angels, the Book, and the Messengers; to give
out of the things you hold dear to your kin, the orphans, the
needy, the wayfarer, the one who asks, and to free the
slave. And to be steadfast in prayer and to give for charity.
To fulfill the covenants you have made, and to be firm and
patient in times of pain, adversity, and panic. Such are the
people of truth, and such are the God-conscious." (Qur'an
2:177)
: "Have you seen one who belies judgment; it is the one
who repulses the orphan, and does not insist on feeding the
needy. So woe to those who pray but are neglectful of their
prayers. Those who are guilty of duplicity and refuse to
provide for the ones in need." (Qur'an 107:1-7)