THE FASTING AND LAYLATUL QADR

Answer the questions:

1. What is fasting?
Fasting, the fourth pillar of Islam, is to stay away from food, drink and conjugal relations from dawn to dusk.

2. What is the purpose of fasting?
The purpose of fasting is to make Muslims righteous and Allah-fearing.

3. On whom is the fasting obligatory?
Fasting is obligatory on all adult Muslims with the exception of those travelling, the sick, the very old, the very young and women who are pregnant or have infant children to feed.

4. Mention some of the virtues and benefits of fasting.
Some of the virtues and benefits of fasting as said by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are as follows:
1. When the month of Ramadhan begins, the gates of Mercy are opened, the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are shut.
2. Whoever fasts, believing and seeking reward of Allah, has his past sins forgiven.

5. What is true fasting?
True fasting is to be mindful of the spirit of fasting. The Prophet said, “If one does not give up lying and acting by it, Allah does not require him to give up eating and drinking”.

6. What is ‘suhur’? When should one eat Suhur?
Suhur is the pre-dawn meal taken in Ramadhan. Suhur must be taken before the fajr prayer.

7.What is Iftar?
Iftar is the breaking of fast at the setting of the sun.

8. Mention the causes that annul a fast.
1. Deliberate eating or drinking during fasting hours.
2. Deliberate vomiting.
3. Con jugal relations during fasting hours.
4. Smoking or sniffing powdered substances.
5. Menstruation in case of women.

9. What is the Laylatul Qadr? What is the reward of passing the Laylatul Qadr in prayer?
Laylatul Qadr is the Night of Power. It is the night in which the revelation of the Holy Qur’an began. The reward of passing the Laylatul Qadr in prayer is the forgiveness of all past sins.