Why do Muslims fast in the Holy month of Ramadan

Islam is founded on five (5) Pillars, among which fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is inclusive. Fasting occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. It is compulsory for every adult Muslim—male and female alike—to fast (Exclude those who might be exonerated due to some reasons beyond their control).

‘’Oh you who believe, fasting has been made obligatory to you as it was the case for those before you in order to attain piety.”(Quran 2:183)

The followers of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) are referred to as Muslims, they practice Islam, which is the total submission to the will of God (Allah).

History has it that, Mohammad was born on Monday in 571 AD in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca, to Lady Amiina and Abdullah, in the year referred to as the year of Elephant (Quran Chapter 30-102).

Mohammad (peace be upon him), grew up as an orphan without both parents, and was raised by his uncle Abutalib and grandparent Abdul Mutalib.

He used to worship his only one God (Allah) in the cave of Hirrah on the outskirts of the city of Mecca where Angel Gabriel (JIbril) met him and gave him a message from God (Allah).

Muslims do not worship Muhammad the way many people perceive, but they consider him as one of the messengers and prophets of God (Allah) like Jesus Christ (Isa),David(Dawood),Mosses(Musa) to mention but a few.

The religion of Islam which means (Salaam) peace is universal; does not belong to a particular group of people, country or race.

Jesus announced the coming of Prophet Muhammad according to the Quran. (Quran part 28: 61 Asaff) ‘’And I give a glad tidings of a messenger to come after me whose name shall be proclaimed (Ahmed). (Quran

The Islamic calendar began after the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to medina, that is about 1442 years ago. This was during the early days of his evangelism when persecution was rampant in Mecca for those few who had accepted Muhammad’s message (Risaalah).

Among the early converts was a black man (Bilal) from Abyssinia, present day Ethiopia.

Muslims consider Ramadan as one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar due to a number of factors.

The Quran was revealed in the same month, Night of power (Lailatul Qadri) in which all the Angels of God including Gabriel (JIbril) Ascends to earth (Quran chapter 30-97).

God forgives all His servants’ sins who repent, and on the day of reckoning, will enter into Heavens (Jannah) using a special entrance called Rayyaan.

Muslims all over the world will start fasting this year, 2021, on the 15^th of April for a period of thirty (30) days, when they are supposed to abstain from eating food, drinks, sexual intercourse and at dusk they resume eating until the following day before sunrise.

After evening prayers, Muslims gather to perform what is called 'Taraawi' (a special congregation prayer) in which a full chapter of the Quran is recited while others are listening.

On the completion of the thirty days of fasting, Muslims celebrate Eid El-Fitri in which they perform an early prayer (Eid) to thank God (Allah) for making it easy for them to complete the fasting, also with great hope that their fore sins were wiped out through fasting.

According to the Muslims, fasting is a key to receive full God’s mercy, forgiveness and changing the destiny of those who have been assigned to hell (Jahannama) to paradise (Jannah).

About the Writer:
Musa, Abubakar is a writer and Preacher at Arcadia Muslim Centre in Pretoria, a graduate of International University of Africa (Sudan-Khartoum), where he graduated and specialised in Islamic studies and Arabic Language.

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