From April 3 of this spring month until May 2, Ramadan will continue in 2022, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, Ramadan-Bayram, which will be celebrated (celebrated and adhered to) also in Russia, in those of its republics in which the Muslim population predominantly lives and who preaches the Islamic religion. Our country is not only huge in size, but also unique in its ethnic composition, primarily in the compact residence of the Muslim population, for whom Islam is the main and only religion for life.
The beginning of the month of Ramadan and the end of the fast of Ramadan, time and schedule
On Sunday, April 3, 2022, when the month of fasting Ramadan begins, the Muslim holiday Ramazan Bayram or Eid al-Fitr will begin, which is in Russia, such republics as Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia , Dagestan, they are one of the main events for believers, there will be a period of abstinence from many temptations, which we will talk about in this article, as well as many other things that most directly concern this festive month for Muslims, a crucial period of the whole year.
What is important to know about Ramadan
Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslim believers must give up food and drink during the day. In addition, smoking and sexual intercourse are not permitted.
The length of the month of Ramadan ranges from 29 to 30 days. It all depends on the lunar calendar.
Muslims begin to fast at the time when dawn on earth, before the morning adhan is recited in the mosque. The end of the fast occurs at the moment of sunset and the sounding of the evening adhan in the mosque.
A person who is fasting should definitely stop taking food (morning meal or suhoor) before the first signs of dawn appear in the sky; it is possible to eat in the evening (iftar) only after breaking the fast. It is recommended to drink water and eat dates.
Every day after completing the recitation of the isha prayer, the believers read the collective taraweeh, a voluntary prayer.
Muslims pay special attention to the last days of fasting, when the Night of Power comes. It is customary to celebrate the end of the fast days on the first day of the month of Shaval. It is he who talks about the end of Ramadan. The holiday should be ended after the recitation of the Eid Prayer, and alms should be given in advance (zakat al-fitr).
Timing of the Holy Month of Ramadan
If you study the lunar calendar of Islam, then it is customary to start a new month from the next day after the renewal of the moon. It is shorter compared to Gregorian (11 days in total). That is why each start of the month and end of Ramadan will move back 11 days in relation to the Gregorian calendar.
In addition, different Muslim countries independently and differently calculate the first month of Ramadan. So, astronomical calculations, observations of the moon, the announcement of the date by people, etc. are used.
It is as a result of this that many begin to celebrate Ramadan at different times, so that this does not happen, you need to independently observe the appearance of the month.
The essence of Ramadan: why fast?
During the onset of Ramadan, Muslim believers who are fasting control their feelings, desires and exercise patience. It is in the refusal of these needs that the Muslim believer shows to Allah spiritual steadfastness and faith in Him. Thanks to the fast days, when a person refuses food and desire, it is possible to restore the soul and body.
When a person adheres to fasting during Ramadan, he tries to curb his own instincts, passions, nafs.Every year, as part of fasting days, believers try to become cleaner inside, as well as strengthen their faith. In this way, they are freed from negativity and sins, evil intentions.
In addition, every year during Ramadan, Muslim believers try to responsibly treat their prayers, they try to read the verses from the Holy Quran more often. Likewise, they try to do exceptionally good deeds, to give alms and also obligatory charity.
If in other months one of the Muslims stops performing the main prayer, then during Ramadan he will try to resume the obligatory prayer. After all, this month acts as a time when you can repent for your committed negative actions.
How to start fasting Ramadan
The first thing a Muslim needs to do when he begins to fast during Ramadan is to make an intention. This serves as the primary condition, without which it is impossible to start the fast correctly. Niyat acts as the fundamental position of fasting, its beginning. The intention must be done in your heart before you start fasting.
Most Muslims believe that it is important to say intention every day from the beginning of the fast. But, some say that you can affirm the intention once per fast.
When a person takes an intention, then it is necessary to indicate the category of fasting that the believer will keep. Basically, the intention is usually pronounced as the intention to perform the obligatory fast from dawn to sunset for the sake of Allah.
Fasting phases
It is customary to divide every day of the month of Ramadan into two phases:
- Daytime when the believer refrains from eating and drinking, as well as engaging in sexual relations. It comes after dawn.
- Night period when the believer can eat and drink, as well as engage in sexual relations. This period will come after sunset and the evening prayer. But the Almighty says that fasting must be kept until night (see photo).
Muslims must correctly determine the time of the beginning and end of the day of fasting. You cannot start and finish it earlier than the due date, as this is considered a serious violation.
What does breaking the fast of Ramadan mean?
There are a number of actions that can break the fast. They mainly occur during the daytime phase:
- Not doing the intention (niyata);
- Deliberate intake of food or water;
- Smoking, inhalation of vapors, fumes, after which a person gets pleasure;
- Entering into sexual relations, and it does not matter, with ejaculation or masturbation;
- Administration of medications rectally or vaginally;
- Provoking your own vomiting.
What Doesn't Break Fasting in Ramadan
Below are the actions that do not break the fast, committed during the daytime:
- When a person unintentionally eats or drinks;
- When a person needs to inject medications into the body using injections or injections, not counting vitamins;
- When a person donates blood or bloodletting occurs;
- When a person decides to bathe, but water does not enter his mouth;
- After kissing, but without swallowing the partner's saliva;
- Getting caresses that did not lead to ejaculation;
- Swallowing your own saliva;
- Swallowing your own sputum, but not getting into your mouth;
- Brushing your teeth, but without getting toothpaste in your mouth;
- Sivak teeth cleaning. But, some scientists have different points of view. Thus, many believe that brushing your teeth after 12 noon should not be done as a confirmation of the hadith;
- When a person has involuntary vomiting, which he did not specifically provoke.
Who can be exempted from fasting?
There are a number of categories of Muslims who can be exempted from fasting during the month of Ramadan. It is customary to refer to them:
- Minor children;
- Muslim adults who are mentally ill, have medical conditions or mental health problems;
- People who are ill or old people who find it difficult to fast for health reasons. But, only if they know that their health will not improve over the next year;
- Pregnant and lactating women who fear for the health of their child. As soon as pregnancy or breastfeeding stops, women should fast. You cannot stop breastfeeding your baby just for the sake of fasting;
- Musafirs (travelers) who are on the road should not observe fasting, and the distance to the house will be more than 80 km. Such a person can break the fast, regardless of proximity to home or health.
Important:
In a situation where a Muslim is included in the category of persons exempt from observing Ramadan, he does not need to eat demonstratively or smoke during the day.
In some Muslim states, it is forbidden to listen to music loudly, chew gum, and smoke in crowded places.
Debt when fasting
In a situation where a Muslim believer breaks the fast without a valid reason during fasting in Ramadan, then this is considered a sin. Therefore, he needs to redeem him.
The format or size of the atonement for sin will directly depend on the special gradation:
- When a person has committed a violation of the fast unintentionally, and also if there is a valid reason, for example, hyde (critical days), a severe course of the disease, then he can make up for the broken days: one additional day of fasting, payment of a salary to a person who needs it, payment food and stuff.
- When a Muslim believer misses fasting, but he has a good reason, he keeps it on another day until the next month of Ramadan;
When a Muslim has sexual intercourse, especially during daylight hours, he compensates for the violation of the fast. For example, one day of violation is followed by 60 days of fasting (continuously).
Doing good deeds during Ramadan
The hadiths (stories) of the Holy Quran say that it is important to do good deeds during Ramadan. Doing a good deed while fasting Ramadan is extremely important, since good deeds benefit the Muslim himself, as well as those around him.
In addition, they say that in Ramadan the shaitan begins to be fettered in chains (but this is completely inaccurate, since we are about the same these days). Believers should fast, do pious deeds and trust in Allah.
In addition, during the whole month of Ramadan, the believer should pray more often and also read the Holy Quran. It is also allowed to perform a large number of prayers, distribution of alms or other good deeds.
May your good deeds increase manifold in this holy month of Ramadan!
