Muslims across the globe have begun the annual fasting in the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar in which Muslims of sound mind and good health fast for 29 or 30 days.
Fasting is undertaken from dawn to sunset and it offers immeasurable reward to those who fast.
It is a spiritual and soul purifying exercise that brings the fasting Muslim closer to Allah (God).
It reminds both the rich and poor that Allah’s mercy is greater than his punishment.
Additionally, fasting teaches patience, contentment, steadfastness, sobriety, forgiveness, kindness, love, compassion and diligence
Allah has said in the Qur’an that he exacts specific reward for every act of worship, except that he (Allah) alone, knows the exact reward for fasting in the month of Ramadan.
The rules that guide fasting include abstinence from sex, food, quarreling, fighting, gambling and backbiting.
It must be stated that Muslims are admonished to stay away from all the social vices and sinful acts every other day, but they are required to show greater reverence in the month of Ramadan.
Since some acts may vitiate fasting, the fasting Muslim is advised to totally stay away from anything that nullifies the fast.
Again, Muslims are encouraged to show kindness to the less privileged by providing them food for suhur (food eating at dawn) to start the fast and iftar (food eaten to break the fast).
Allah has encouraged Muslims to constantly read the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan to obtain the blessings of the Qur’an.
The night of power in the month of Ramadan is the period of special time because it was the period in which the Qur’an was revealed to the beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
It is observed in the last ten days of fasting, during which Muslims stand in prayer (salat) at night, reading the Qur’an cover-to-cover, to seek the forgiveness, mercy and favour of their creator (Allah).
It is believed that a prayer accepted by Allah during the night of power is comparable to worshiping Allah for 83 years.
It is worthy of note that fasting nourishes the brain and rejuvenates the body.
