Ramadan for body and soul 2009

1. A More on Islam presentation
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
More On Islam Briefcast Series

2. A More on Islam presentation
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:
BlissBliss
Self
improvement
Self
improvement
Peace &
Contentment
Peace &
Contentment
Character
building
Character
building
SuccessSuccess
Fasting in Ramadan has been and remains an annual practice of highly
successful and satisfied people.
2

3. A More on Islam presentation
3
Fasting: A Pillar of Islam
F
A
I
T
H
P
R
A
Y
E
R
F
A
S
T
I
N
G
Z
A
K
A
T
H
A
J
J
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
Declaring and
believing “There is
no god worthy of
worship except Allah
and Muhammad (pbuh)
is His messenger.”
1st
Performing the
obligatory
prayers five
times a day
2nd
Observing
dawn-to-dusk
abstinence in
the month of
Ramadan
3rd
Giving
charity
4th
Undertaking
Pilgrimage to
Makkah
5th

4. A More on Islam presentation
4
Ramadan – Most Sacred Month in the Islamic Calendar
Islamic Calendar
or the Hijri
Calendar is
based on the
lunar year.
RamadanRamadan
SafarSafarMuharramMuharram
Rabi
Al Awwal
Rabi
Al Awwal
Jumadi
Al Awwal
Jumadi
Al Awwal
Rabi
At Thani
Rabi
At Thani
Jumadi
At Thani
Jumadi
At Thani
ShabanShabanRajabRajab
Dhul
Qaidah
Dhul
Qaidah
ShawwalShawwal
Dhul
Hijjah
Dhul
Hijjah
It is obligatory on
Muslims to fast all days in
this month.
It is obligatory on
Muslims to fast all days in
this month.
4

5. A More on Islam presentation
5
“A Great, Blessed Month…”
 People, a great blessed month has come upon you
 Allah has made fasting during it an obligation, and steadfastly
observing its nights in worship a voluntary act
 Whoever undertakes an act of obedience to Allah during this month
with a righteous deed, it is as if he has performed an obligatory act at
other times
 And whoever performs an obligatory act during it is as one who
performed seventy obligations at other times
 It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise
 It is the month of goodwill, during which provisions are multiplied
Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
address on the eve of Ramadan:
“
5

6. A More on Islam presentation
6
“… Indeed it is We
Who have revealed
it and it is indeed
We Who are its
guardians” [Qur’an
15:9]
Ramadan: Month of Revelation of the Qur'an
[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
6

7. A More on Islam presentation
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
Shows
ways
of
successful
living
Provides
answers &
solutions
Provides
answers &
solutions
Presents
Almighty’s
signs
Presents
Almighty’s
signs
Cures bad
conduct
Cures bad
conduct
Explains
right
& wrong
Explains
right
& wrong
Brings peace
& security
Brings peace
& security
7

8. A More on Islam presentation
8
Fasting means Abstinence
To stop eating, drinking and sex
from dawn until dusk
XX X8

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

10. A More on Islam presentation
10
 Minors
 Aged *
 Sick **
 Menstruating Women **
 Pregnant Women **
 Suckling Women
 Traveller **
People Exempt from Fasting
* Should donate a meal to the needy
** Should fast an equivalent number of days afterwards
“… but whoever is sick or upon a
journey, then (he shall fast)
a (like) number of other days; Allah
desires ease for you, and He does not
desire for you difficulty, and (He
desires) that you should complete the
number and that you should exalt the
greatness of Allah for His having
guided you and that you may give
thanks.” – [Qur'an 2:185]
10

11. A More on Islam presentation
11
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.”
Reward of 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.'
11

12. A More on Islam presentation
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 GodLove 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].
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].
12

13. A More on Islam presentation
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>
>
>
>
13* This slide does not provide an exhaustive, but only an illustrative list to highlight the need for Taqwa

14. A More on Islam presentation
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)
14

15. A More on Islam presentation
15
Annual Training for Character-building
Ramadan provides a training
opportunity that is meant to
facilitate good behaviour
throughout the year
Ramadan
Rest of 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)
15

16. A More on Islam presentation
16
How Character-building is Achieved
Taqwa
(God
consciousness
& Self-restraint)
FastingFasting
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]
16

17. A More on Islam presentation
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]
17

18. A More on Islam presentation
18
Cultivating concern for the Poor and Hungry
The state of hunger makes each fasting person feel what it
means to be without food and drink and inculcates in him
or her:
 Care and concern for the poor and hungry
 Helping attitude towards have-nots
 Sense of giving and charity
 Avoiding wastage of food and drinks
 Social responsibility
18
Photo courtesy: Reliefonline.org ,refugeecamp.org, indonesiaurbanstudies.blogspot, asiaportal.info, al jazeerah.net, corbridge.journallive.co.uk, theasiannews.co.uk, , muslimhands.org, muslimaid.org

19. A More on Islam presentation
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
m the Book Triumph Over Disease By Fasting and Natural Diet, Chapter 10, by Dr Jack Goldstein
19

20. A More on Islam presentation
20
Learn More…
Please get to know more and change your life
Recommended Readings
 The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation & Commentary – by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
 The Holy Qur’an (Online)
 The Nature of Fasting – by Ibn Taymiyyah
 The Life and Work of Muhammad (Critical Lives) – by Yahiya Emerick
 Towards Understanding Islam – by A.A.Maududi
 Islam Tomorrow – Yusuf Estes
Thanks for viewing and studying the
presentation. For further information,
suggestions and comments please contact:
moreonislam@hotmail.com
“Verily, in the creation of the heavens
and the earth, and in the succession of
night and day, there are indeed messages
for all who are endowed with insight”
[Qur’an 3:190]
All Rights Reserved. No part of the presentation may be
modified. Distribution is permitted and encouraged. For
other titles please contact moreonislam@hotmail.com.
The original document is certified to be virus-free.
20