Islam is one of the youngest religions on earth, and at the same time one of the strictest in terms of observance of the canons. There are so-called. pillars of religion, i.e. the Shariah prescriptions that are necessary for execution in order to be considered true adherents of faith in Allah.

One of the pillars is the strict observance of a whole series of rites, rituals and abstinences from the beginning to the end of the month of Ramadan.

Islamic calendar and Ramadan in it

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is what month of the year? Every Muslim knows that he is the ninth. Its name comes from the Arabic “burn the earth”, “burning”, since it is in this month that solar activity reaches its maximum and literally burns and dries up the vegetation on the hot earth. If we compare the Islamic and Christian calendars, then the month of Ramadan usually begins somewhere at the end of our May and ends at the end of June, in total it lasts 29-30 days. It is believed that it was during these days that the great prophet Muhammad was given his mission with "frank words" - this is how the holy Quran was born. The month of Ramadan in 2017 began on May 27 and ended on June 25.

How does the observance of Ramadan begin?

The most important ritual at the beginning of the month of Ramadan is the intention to observe this sacred period (Arabic "niyat"). It sounds something like this: “I intend from today to fast in Ramadan in the name of Allah.”

Fasting in the month of Ramadan

The most important act in Ramadan is fasting (Arabic “saum”). Those. abstaining from major temptations: eating, smoking, drinking and intimate relationships during the daytime until sunset. By his abstinence, a Muslim shows Allah his devotion, loyalty and readiness to make personal sacrifices for the sake of faith.

What conditions are necessary in order to observe Ramadan

Not every person and not even every Muslim can observe the sacred ritual. In order for a person to be allowed to observe Ramadan, the following conditions must be met:

• Of course, the observant must be a Muslim. And not only by his faith, he must go through the procedure of converting to Islam in the mosque.
• The observant must be of legal age according to Shariah. Children are not allowed to observe the fast, as they need good nutrition.
• The observant should not have mental and severe physical illnesses, because in case of mental illness, the observant does not know what he is doing, and in case of physical illnesses, good food and plenty of drink are often required.
• Pregnant and lactating women are exempted from fasting, as they have an urgent need for regular meals.
• Wanderers and travelers who are on the road or more than 90 km from home may not fast if this entails serious consequences for them.
• Women in the period of monthly or postpartum bleeding may also not fast because of the large blood loss and the need to replenish it.

However, those who have been released should remember that it is extremely undesirable to do forbidden actions in public (drinking, smoking) so as not to add unnecessary temptations to them. Chewing gum, playing loud music and frivolous dancing in public places are also unacceptable during the fasting period.

When you can eat and drink in fasting

Can I eat and drink during the month of Ramadan? After sunset, a fasting Muslim (Arabic “uraza”) performs a sacred night prayer (Arabic “isha”), then he can read a voluntary and desirable prayer with his comrades (Arabic “tarawih”). It includes 8-20 rak'ahs. Then you can start breaking the fast - an evening meal (Arabic "iftar"). Eating at night is prescribed not only with a close circle of relatives, but also with friends and acquaintances. Sometimes beggars from the street are attracted to breaking the fast as a sign of helping the poor. Food for breaking the fast, too, should not be rich and plentiful. Shariah prescribes during the night breaking the fast to eat milk, dates, water. Too heavy, spicy or fatty foods are undesirable during this period, as they can cause further thirst or stomach complications.

Morning meal (Arabic "suhoor") during breaking the fast, you should try to finish at least half an hour before dawn. And then again keep a daily post.

What not to do in Ramadan:

• not uttering intentions: this cancels all observance of Ramadan;
• eat food intentionally;
• drink intentionally;
• smoking and inhaling smoking smoke intentionally;
• engage in intimacy, indulge in masturbation, make caresses that lead to ejaculation, even if it was not directly sexual intercourse;
• indulge in idle entertainment (frivolous dancing, listening to loud music, except for prayerful speeches);
• use of medicines that require rectal or vaginal administration;
• cause spontaneous vomiting;
• swallow separated sputum that has entered the throat.

What is allowed to do in Ramadan:

• non-special intake of food and water (for example, if a person chokes in the sea);
• drug injections;
• blood donation (donor, tests), blood letting;
• bathing, if not swallowing a drop of water;
• kisses without penetration into the oral cavity (as we say “not sucked”);
• bodily caresses that do not lead to ejaculation;
• swallowing one's own saliva without sputum and vomiting;
• you should brush your teeth with care so that the paste is not swallowed (in general, some Muslims believe that brushing your teeth after noon is not necessary, because “the smell from the mouth of a fasting Muslim has a special shade and is a kind of incense for Allah”);
• vomiting, if it occurs involuntarily;
• prayers are not allowed.

Rituals in Ramadan, in addition to fasting

Holy Ramadan is not only fasting, but also numerous prayers to Allah.

The most important prayer - prayer - is performed five times a day.

In addition to prayers, evening prayers, morning prayers and praises to Allah before each meal are desirable.

The most common during this period are: iftar, suhoor, dua "Iftiah", dua "Mujir", dua "Macaremu ahlyak", dua "Baha", dua Abu Hamza Sumali, dua "Jaushan Kabir".

In the last 10 days of fasting, it is advisable for a Muslim to go into seclusion, since the Prophet Muhammad once retired for the last 20 days of his life. It is better to do solitude in a Muslim mosque, before saying one more special intention - for solitude.

Of course, it is desirable to read the Qur'an during the entire period of the holy month.

How does Ramadan end?

After ritual solitude follows the so-called. Night of predestination (arab. "al-Qadra"). This night comes after the end of the 27th day of Ramadan - it was then, according to legend, that the first sura of the Koran (610) was opened to the prophet Muhammad. Then the archangel Jabrail, descending from heaven, gave the prophet a scroll with an order to read it. On this night, it is customary to ask Allah for forgiveness for the sins committed and read the Quran a lot.

On the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, the fasting person should pay alms: obligatory (zakat in Arabic) and voluntary (saadaq in Arabic). A solemn prayer is read, and those who are fasting are preparing for the holiday in honor of Ramadan - Uraza Bayram (Arab. Eid al-Fitr).

The first day of the new month, on which this holy holiday is held, begins with the sacred prayer of Eid prayer, which marks the end of Ramadan.

By this time, the houses should already be clean (Muslims must obviously take care of cleanliness). On the holiday itself, believers should wash themselves and put on clean, beautiful clothes. The day of celebration is considered a day off.

For Uraz Bayram, a lot of festive food is prepared (predominantly women cook): fried lamb, rich soup with beans, meat and vegetables, salads with meat, pancakes, pies, pilaf, numerous sweets, dates, fruits.

Believers go to each other's houses, give gifts, give sweets to children. Everyone congratulates each other with the phrase "Eid Mubarak!". Children play active outdoor games. Adults can dance and sing. On the same day, it is customary to go to the cemetery to visit relatives in order to honor their memory and offer prayers to Allah for them.

Top Tasks in Ramadan

Ramadan is not only a cleansing of the flesh (it is known in any religion that fasting in itself is good for cleansing the body), but also the cleansing of the soul. The soul is cleansed through the flesh. Through good deeds (helping the poor, for example), the soul is cured of filth. Through the rejection of pleasures (dancing, singing, playing, watching entertainment programs, etc.), humility and abstinence are trained. The ability to endure, refuse, make sacrifices, be restrained, merciful, generous allows believers in Ramadan to win the true mercy of Allah.

If Ramadan is performed with evil thoughts or for show, or for selfish purposes, Allah rejects such a sacrifice and does not bestow mercy on a liar.

Punishments and fines for non-compliance with Ramadan

It is believed that any true Muslim is obliged to perform Ramadan, unless he is exempt from this ritual. However, violators are everywhere, and if one is caught, then he must be punished.

The one who violates the prescriptions must bear the atonement (arab. "kaffara"). This may be additional alms for the poor or additional fasting.

In case of unintentional violation of the instructions, the believer must compensate for the days of the broken fast after the end of Ramadan or help a certain number of those in need with money or food.

In this blessed month, everyone has the best opportunity to correct their life, start it anew, cleansing their heart and mind from bad thoughts and deeds. This month is a great mercy, and only a fool will pass by without at least trying to rid himself of the burden of sins.

Everyone knows that Ramadan is also referred to as the month of fasting, a lot is said about this every year, many books and recommendations have been written for those who nevertheless decided to cleanse themselves, but have little knowledge. This month, a huge number of people rush to worship, return to the path of truth. Someone decides to fast for the first time and rises for prayer for the first time.

It is wonderful when there are people nearby who can support, teach, explain and clarify, but it is even more wonderful to know that a great reward awaits from our Creator for this kind of help from people on both sides.

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Taking this opportunity, I would like, by the will of the Almighty, to at least a little try to help someone in this blessed period in the life of the Islamic community. In order to make it easier for us to receive useful knowledge during fasting, it is easier to do good deeds, our body must be healthy, strong, resistant to difficulties, and we, in turn, must strive in every possible way to help our own body cope with these difficulties.

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Zakat ul Fitr - Zakat in Ramadan

In the holy month of Ramadan for all Muslims, every believer observes Uraza - a fast lasting 30 days according to the lunar calendar. Unlike the Christian fast, the Muslim fast does not impose restrictions on the amount and composition of food. The prohibition falls on the time of eating, namely, it is not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset. Like any post, Uraza is not a diet, first of all, it is an opportunity to purify and heal the soul, by rejecting bad thoughts and deeds. But much attention is paid to cleansing the body in the culture of Islam. How to properly hold Uraza for a woman and not harm the body by forced starvation?

Why keep Uraza in the month of Ramadan?

Uraza in Ramadan is kept, first of all, for the remission of sins, this is an opportunity for a devout Muslim to atone for the sins he has committed since the end of the previous post. Twenty-nine or thirty days of the ninth month of the lunar calendar is Ramadan, the month of strict fasting. A believer is not allowed to take not only food, but even water during the daytime, it is also obligatory to perform good deeds, they can be:

• Repentance.
• Reading the Quran.
• Showing generosity and mercy.
• Diligence in worship.

This month, special attention is paid to prayers, their number is increasing. If a Muslim has found reasons not to perform namaz (prayers), then he can easily return to this practice with the beginning of the month of Ramadan. A couple of hours before dawn, the believer pronounces an intention in which he undertakes to observe Uraza today, after which the obligatory prayer is performed, and only after that you can start eating. If a Muslim is in a region where the day is much longer than the night, then he or his community can independently accept the norm of the average time so as not to complicate the observance of the fast.

Don't forget to do good deeds

How to hold Uraza for a woman?

In Uraza, Muslims, both men and women, are forbidden to have an intimate relationship during daylight hours. Even kissing is forbidden if it leads to the swallowing of saliva. True believing couples completely renounce intimate life throughout the entire thirty-day fast. The punishment for sexual intercourse is to extend the fast for another 60 days, or to help 60 people in need.

Traditionally, after sunset, the faithful with their neighbors and their families gather together to pray and eat food prepared by women during the daytime. Only women are allowed to the cooking process, and they are allowed to taste food during cooking, the stronger sex is deprived of such an opportunity.

A woman in Urazu should help those in need

How to eat properly?

The length of the day and night in the month of Ramadan varies from day to day. Therefore, the first days of fasting, when the daylight hours are much longer than the night, are especially difficult to observe. Answering the question “How to properly keep Uraza for a woman without harm to health?”, Imams and nutritionists advise focusing the morning diet on fiber-rich foods, and these are:

• Whole grains.
• Fish.
• Rice bran.
• Buckwheat.
• Legumes.
• Nuts.
• Fruits.
• Seeds.
• Vegetables are mostly green.

Food in Ramadan should be as simple as possible without frills, you should not overload the diet with complex dishes. Fasting is, first of all, a restriction in external pleasures and entertainment, the rejection of excesses, all this is true for food. A diet that does not contain complex fried foods, a lot of spices and hot sauces is easier for the body to digest, and this is very important in conditions of many hours of daily fasting. It is especially worth avoiding the abuse of onions, garlic, hot peppers, cumin and mustard, these foods increase the level of hydrochloric acid, which is harmful to a starving body. For dinner, you should try to eat low-calorie dishes and not overdo it with meat.

The rules of the Muslim fast forbid the use of water during the day, so the need for liquid must be satisfied at night. To do this, you need to drink at least two liters of liquid. Water should not be carbonated, preferably herbal tea or mineral water.

Fasting involves limiting external pleasures and avoiding excesses.

Prayer

In the culture of Islam, a special place is given to prayer, in Ramadan the number of daily prayers increases. After the traditional night Isha, the time comes, obligatory for all the faithful holding Uraza, the Tarawih prayer, which lasts until the first rays of the sun. Praying alone is possible only if the believer is far from the mosque or surrounded by people of a different religion. Praising Allah and the Prophet Muhammad is accepted as a collective prayer.

What is forbidden to do?

Muslims holding Uraza have strict and not very strict prohibitions. Having violated a strict ban, the faithful will have to be punished in the form of replacing the day on which the ban was violated with 60 days of strict fasting, without the right to interrupt it. Such severe punishment will be imposed on those who deliberately eat, have sex or induce vomiting during Ramadan. This rule also applies to the use of medicines, potions, injections.

For violation of non-strict prohibitions, punishment is also provided, but less serious. One violation will cost the Muslim one extra day of fasting. This burden will need to be borne for the following offenses:

• Forgetful eating.
• Unintentional vomiting.
• Swallowing that which is neither food nor medicine.
• Touching a spouse, kissing during daylight hours or at night, if they did not lead to intercourse.

Any day before the start of a new Ramadan is eligible for reimbursement of fees for violating the ban.

Devote your time to prayer

At what age do girls fast?

A girl may not fast until her fifteenth birthday. There are several reasons why a believing Muslim woman has the right to start holding Uraza before this age. The first is, of course, the desire of the girl herself. The second, early menstruation, sexually mature girls up to 15 years old can hold Uraza.

Many scientists and physicians are divided in opinion, arguing about the benefits and harms of fasting, but still the majority take the position of the positive effects of this process.

Since during the gradual refusal of food, the body gets rid of all the excesses that have accumulated. These are salts, and harmful bile acids, and excess fats and other substances that adversely affect the normal functioning of the body.

Observing the laws of Uraza, people from time immemorial have been cured of many chronic and acute diseases, strengthened their immunity and defense mechanisms.

A beginner, first of all, should remember that Ramadan is not a month of diet, but thirty days of giving up excesses by subduing their carnal desires, as well as an opportunity to devote oneself to Allah and glorify the name of the Prophet Muhammad. There are several obvious and simple rules that give an idea of ​​​​how to properly hold Uraza for a woman and a man if they are devout Muslims. Refusal to eat and drink, from intimacy during daylight hours. Help and mercy to those in need. These are examples of godly behavior leading to the remission of sins.

It is customary to invite a Muslim to the evening meal, who knows the Koran perfectly and can interestingly tell sacred stories and stories about the deeds of the saints. During the meal, conversations on everyday topics are also acceptable.

By observing the laws of Uraza, you will regain peace and spiritual balance.

Is it possible to keep Uraza for pregnant and lactating women?

A Muslim woman who carries her child under her heart or a mother who feeds a newborn has the right to decide for herself whether to adhere to Uraza or not. This decision must be made taking into account the health status of the mother and child, as well as the likelihood of potential harm for each of them.

A believer during menstruation does not observe Uraza, such is the law. Menstruation in Islam, as in Christianity, is considered an unclean thing, therefore it violates the observance of Uraza.

A woman herself has the right to decide whether she should make up for the missed days of fasting, after the reasons that prevented this cease to exist.

Uraza without a full ablution

Ritual purity is necessary for a woman only for prayer. If, due to circumstances, a full ablution was not performed before the start of Uraza, this cannot prevent a woman from fasting. Even in those cases when on the eve of the first day of Ramadan there was an intimate relationship between the spouses, or menstruation ended on the night before Uraza.

When do menses come

Following the canons of Islam, during the menstrual period, a woman must refuse to observe Uraza. There is no need to starve and pray. These features are by no means indulgence, but on the contrary, a punishment for a woman for her bodily impurity. A faithful Muslim woman should perform the sacred ritual of Namaz only if ritual purity is observed. You cannot glorify Allah while being impure. Missed days of Ramadan must be restored at the end of the female cycle. Missed prayers are not made up.

Ritual and bodily purity is the key to proper observance of Uraza

How to fast in the heat?

It often happens that the month of Ramadan falls on hot weather, when the refusal of water can adversely affect people's well-being. Indeed, in Uraza, Muslims are forbidden not only to drink, but also simply to take water into their mouths to rinse it. It is believed that not a single drop should enter the human stomach.

According to the law of Islam, for those whose health may be at risk on hot days, there are indulgences.

How to fast when sick?

If a Muslim woman is ill, and her illness may increase during a hunger strike (for example, diabetes), then in such cases the woman has the right to eat every other day. The goal of Uraza is not a hunger strike, but the improvement of one's spirit and body.

You can not overeat, especially on the day of the great Uraza Bayram. The diet of Muslim women may include fresh fruits, nuts, and some vegetables.

Video: How to hold Uraza for the first time

The very first time holding Uraza is more difficult for a woman, because in advance, before Ramadan comes, she needs to prepare herself, and most importantly, think that the greatest holiday awaits her.

For observing all the rules of fasting, a person will be rewarded with an increase in the good deeds done. When going beyond the law of Uraza, without having an emergency, a woman is obliged to give a certain amount of money to the poor and starve.

During the holy month of the Muslim calendar, which is called Ramadan in Arabic, or Ramadan in Turkish, Muslims are required to observe a strict fast - limit yourself to drinking, eating and intimacy.

Following the rules of Ramadan, mature people give up their passions. This is how they get rid of negativity.

The post ends with the great holiday of Uraza-Bayram.

Features and Traditions of Ramadan Fasting - What Are Iftar and Suhoor?

fasting believers test the strength of the human spirit. Compliance with the rules of Ramadan makes a person comprehend his way of life, helps to determine the main values ​​in life.

During Ramadan, a Muslim must restrict yourself not only in food, but also carnal satisfaction of their needs, as well as other addictions - for example, smoking. He must learn control yourself, your emotions.

Observing simple fasting rules, every believing Muslim should feel poor and starving, since the available benefits are often perceived as ordinary.

It is forbidden to swear in Ramadan. There is an opportunity to help the needy, the sick and the poor. Muslims believe that prayers and monthly abstinence will enrich everyone who follows the tenets of Islam.

There are two main prescriptions for fasting:

1. Follow the rules of fasting sincerely from dawn to dusk
2. Completely refrain from your passions and needs

And here are a few conditions for what a fasting person should be:

• Over 18 years old
• Muslim
• not insane
• Healthy physically

There are those for whom fasting is contraindicated, and they have the right not to observe it. These are minor children, the elderly and pregnant women, as well as those women who are menstruating or going through the time of postpartum cleansing.

Fasting Ramadan has several traditions

We list the most important:

Suhoor

Throughout Ramadan Muslims eat early in the morning, even before dawn. They believe that Allah will greatly reward such an action.

During the traditional suhoor don't overeat but you should eat enough food. Suhoor gives strength for the whole day. It helps Muslims to stay sane and not be angry, as hunger often causes anger.

If a believer does not perform suhoor, then his day of fasting remains in force, but he does not receive any reward.

Iftar

Iftar is evening meal, which is also performed during fasting. You need to start breaking the fast immediately after sunset, that is after the last day(or the fourth, penultimate prayer on that day). After Iftar follows Isha - night prayer of Muslims(the last of the five obligatory daily prayers).

What you can not eat in the post of Ramadan - all the rules and prohibitions

What to eat during Suhoor:

• Doctors recommend eating complex carbohydrates in the morning - cereal dishes, sprouted grain bread, vegetable salad. Complex carbohydrates provide the body with energy, despite the fact that they are digested for a long time.
• Dried fruits - dates, nuts - almonds and fruits - are also suitable.

What not to eat during Suhoor

• Avoid protein foods. It takes a long time to digest, but loads the liver, which works without interruption during fasting.
• Should not be used
• You can not eat fried, smoked, fatty foods in the morning. They will cause unnecessary stress on the liver and kidneys.
• Refrain from eating fish during Suhoor. After it you want to drink

What not to eat in the evening after adhan

• Fatty and fried foods. It will harm health - cause heartburn, deposit extra pounds.
• Eliminate from food fast food- various cereals in bags or noodles. You won’t get enough of them and literally in an hour or two you will want to have a meal again. In addition, such products will cause appetite even more, as they contain salt and other spices.
• You can't eat sausage and sausages. It is better to exclude them from your diet during the fast of Ramadan. Sausages affect the kidneys and liver, satisfy hunger for only a few hours, and are also able to develop thirst.

Despite prohibitions and strict rules, there are benefits from fasting.:

• Rejection of carnal passions
  A person must understand that he is not a slave of his body. Fasting is a serious reason to give up intimacy. Only by refraining from sinful things can a person preserve his purity of soul.
• Self improvement
  By observing fasting, the believer is more attentive to himself. He gives birth to new character traits, such as humility, tolerance, obedience. Feeling poverty and deprivation, he becomes more resilient, gets rid of fear, more and more begins to believe and learn what was previously hidden.
• Gratitude
  Having gone through the refusal of food, a Muslim becomes closer to his Creator. He realizes that the innumerable blessings that Allah sends are given to man for a reason. The believer gains a sense of gratitude for the gifts sent.
• An Opportunity to Experience Mercy
  Fasting reminds people of the poor, and also calls to be merciful and help those in need. Having gone through this test, the believer remembers kindness and humanity, as well as the fact that everyone is equal before God.
• frugality
  Fasting teaches people to be economical, limit themselves and curb their desires.
• Strengthens health
  The benefit to the physical state of human health is manifested in the fact that the digestive system is resting. In a month, the intestines are completely cleansed of toxins, toxins and harmful substances.

Holy Ramadan timetable until 2020 - when does Ramadan fast start and end?

IN 2015 Ramadan will begin on June 18 and end on July 17.

Here are the dates of Holy Ramadan:

2016– from June 6 to July 5.
2017– from May 26 to June 25.
2018- from May 17 to June 16.
2019- from May 6 to June 5.
2020 from April 23rd to May 22nd.

Breaking the Ramadan Fast - Actions Breaking the Muslim Ramadan Fast and Punishments

It is worth noting that the rules of fasting Ramadan are valid only during the daytime. Some acts committed during fasting are considered forbidden.

Actions that interrupt the Muslim Ramadan include:

• Special or intentional meal
• Unspoken intention to fast
• Masturbation or intercourse
• Smoking
• Spontaneous vomiting
• Administration of rectal or vaginal medications

However condescension towards similar actions. Despite their similarities, they do not break the post.

They include:

• Unintentional meal
• Administration of drugs through injections
• kisses
• Petting, if they do not lead to ejaculation
• Teeth cleaning
• blood donation
• Period
• involuntary vomiting
• Failure to perform prayers

Punishments for breaking the Ramadan fast:

Those who unintentionally who broke the fast due to illness, must on any other day spend the missed day of fasting.

For sexual intercourse performed during daylight hours, the believer is obliged to defend another 60 days of fasting, or to feed 60 needy.

If skipping the fast is allowed by shariah need to do repentance.

Suhoor and Iftar times (the latter corresponds to Maghrib prayer times) for the cities of Russia and the CIS for the current year 2020 are presented in a special section of our website.

Fasting (uraza, ruza) is one of the pillars of Islam, so its observance is mandatory for Muslims.

Usually, a layman understands Muslim fasting as abstinence from eating and drinking during daylight hours. In fact, this concept is much broader: it includes a voluntary refusal not only from eating, but also from committing any sins committed by the eyes, hands and tongue, as well as from certain actions. Being in a state of holding an uraza, the believer must be clearly aware that he is doing this for the sake of his Creator, and not have any other intentions.

In Islamic doctrine, depending on the time of observance and significance, two types of fasting are distinguished: obligatory (fard) And desirable (sunnat).

The first is massively observed by Muslims during the Holy month of Ramadan, which has an incomparable blessing for people. In His Scripture, Allah guides us:

In the month of Ramadan, the Qur'an was sent down - the right guidance for the people, clear evidence of the right guidance and discernment. Those of you whom this month finds must fast (2:185)

A huge reward awaits Muslims who adhere to the Uraza in the blessed month, and severe punishment will certainly follow for leaving it without a good reason. The proof of this is the following statement of the Mercy of the worlds of Muhammad (s.g.v.): “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and hope for the reward of the Almighty, his former sins will be forgiven” (the hadith is cited by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

In 2020, Ramadan will last from April 24 (the first day of fasting) to May 23 (see calendar):

However, the Lord made obligatory observance of the Uraza not for all people.

Who does not need to keep a post:

1. Non-Muslims

An important condition for observing the Uraza is the practice of Islam by a person. For others, posting is optional. At the same time, this does not mean that for the days spent without fasting during the months of Ramadan, every person, regardless of his religion, will not have to answer to the Almighty on the Day of the Great Judgment.

2. Minors

Uraza is imputed as mandatory for adults. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that from the Islamic point of view, adulthood is meant, which does not occur at the age of 18, as is customary in most countries of the world, but during puberty, which occurs differently for each person.

3. Mentally disabled

Mental capacity is listed among the conditions of obligatory fasting. In other words, a person who is not of sound mind has the right to refrain from observing this pillar of Islam.

4. Everyone who is on the road

Keeping an eye is not necessary for those people who are on the road, that is, travelers. It should be noted that, according to Sharia, travelers are considered to be people who have traveled more than 83 km from home and their journey lasts no more than 15 days.

5. Physically ill people

People who suffer from any disease that requires constant medication, or threatens with severe ailments and pains, up to a threat to life in case of observance of the uraza, are exempted from its need.

6. Pregnant

Women who are carrying a child and fear for the life of their future child have the right not to fast in the month of Ramadan.

7. Breastfeeding women

Women who are breastfeeding babies may not fast as well.

8. Women on the days of menstruation and bleeding caused by childbirth

In the menstrual period and during postpartum bleeding, women, according to Sharia, are in a position of ritual defilement, which is why non-observance of the uraza is allowed and, moreover, necessary. If pregnant and lactating women have the right to fast, then these days it is better for women to abstain.

9. People who are unconscious

Believers who remain in an unconscious state for a long time, for example, in a coma state, for obvious reasons, are also freed from uraza.

In situations where a person misses one or more days of fasting for the reasons listed above, he should make up for them later, when the reason that gives the right to not fast is eliminated, for example, when the traveler returns home or the person comes out of a coma. Believers who are not able to keep uraza during the year, for example, due to illness, should feed one needy for each of the missed days. If this is also difficult for a person in material terms, because he himself is among the needy, then he is completely freed from this obligation.

Desired post- this is one whose observance is desirable, but not imputed to Muslims as mandatory. The believer is rewarded for observing such a fast, but there is no sin for leaving him.

Days when it is desirable to keep uraza:

• Day of Araf- for fasting on this day, the Lord can forgive a person for the sins committed by him for 2 years. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) explained: “Fasting on the Day of Arafah serves as atonement for sins committed in the past and future years” (hadith from Ibn Maji and Nasai).

• Day of Ashura- For those who fast on the tenth day of the month of Muharram, all sins for the previous 12 months are erased. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) admonished his ummah: “Fasting serves as an atonement for the sins of the past year” (Muslim cites the hadith). However, Shiite theologians assure that it is undesirable to keep the uraza on this day, since on this date the grandson of the Final Prophet (S.G.V.) - Imam Hussein, who is especially revered by Shiite Muslims, was martyred.

• First 9 days of Zul Hijah- this can be found mentioned in the hadith: “Fasting in the first days of the month of Zul-Hijja is equivalent to one year of fasting” (Ibn Maja).

• Month of Muharram- Uraza in this forbidden month is considered Sunnat. After all, the Prophet Muhammad himself once said: “After Ramadan, the best month for fasting is the month of Allah - Muharram” (Muslim cites the hadith).

• Month of Shaaban- Another month during which it is desirable to fast. In the lunar calendar, it comes before Ramadan. In the hadiths from Bukhari there is a mention that the Final Messenger of the Almighty (s.g.v.) was zealous in observing Uraza in the month of Shaaban, except for some days.

• 6 days of Shawwal- also desirable for the post. Shawwal follows the holy month of Ramadan. “If someone completed the fast in Ramadan and added to it six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, he will receive such a reward as if he had fasted all year” (hadith from Muslim).

• Uraza in a day, or the fast of the Prophet Daoud (a.s.), who held the fast every other day and which, as the Grace of the Worlds Muhammad (s.g.v.) said, “is the most beloved fast for Allah” (in accordance with the hadith from Muslim).

• 3 days in the middle of each month- The Prophet (S.G.V.) instructed: “If you want to fast in the middle of the month, then fast on the 13th, 14th and 15th days” (at-Tirmidhi).

• Every Monday and Thursday- it was during these days that the Messenger of the Almighty (s.g.v.) regularly observed uraza. “The deeds of the people are presented to Allah on Monday and Thursday,” he said. “And I want my deeds to be presented while I am fasting” (hadith quoted by at-Tirmidhi).

Fasting times in Islam

It is known that in Islam, fasting is observed during daylight hours. The countdown starts at dawn. In the Holy Book of Muslims you can find the verse:

Eat and drink until you can tell a white thread at dawn from a black one, and then fast until night (2:187)

The fasting person should stop the morning meal () before the time comes (usually 30 minutes).

Once one of the ascetics asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about what time interval should be between suhoor and azan for morning prayer, to which he replied: “As much as is necessary to read fifty verses” (hadith from Bukhari and Muslim).

The end of the fasting time () comes at sunset and coincides with the onset time. In this case, after fasting, the believer should first break his fast, and then proceed to prayer.

At the end of the suhoor, the following dua is read (niyat):

نَوَيْتُ أَنْ أَصُومَ صَوْمَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ إِلَى الْمَغْرِبِ خَالِصًا لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Transcription:“Nahuatu an-assumma sauma shahri Ramadaan min al-fajri il al-maghribi haalisan lil Layakhi tya’aala”

Translation:“I have determined to fast the month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk sincerely for the sake of Allah.”

Immediately after breaking the fast - at iftar - they say dua:

اللَهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَلْت وَ عَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ فَاغْفِرْلِى يَا غَفَّارُ مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَ مَأ اَخَّرْتُ

Transcription:“Allahumma lakaya sumtu wa bikya amantu wa alaikya tavakkaltu wa ‘ala rizkykya aftartu faqfirli ya gaffaru ma kaddyamtu wa ma akhhartu”

Translation:“O Allah! For Your sake, I kept a fast, I believed in You, and I only trust in You, I break my fast with what You sent me. Forgive me, O Forgiver of my sins, past and future!”

Actions that violate the mind

1. Deliberate receptionm of food and smoking

If a fasting person consciously ate or drank something, lit a cigarette, then his uraza that day will not be accepted. But if he ate something unintentionally, for example, out of forgetfulness, then in this case the person should stop eating or drinking as soon as he remembered his fast, and he can continue to keep the fast - such a fast will be considered valid.

2. Intimacy

After sexual intercourse, fasting is broken. Lip-to-lip kissing and ejaculation due to conscious stimulation (masturbation) have similar effects.

3. Instillation of medicine into the nose and ears

Uraza becomes invalid as soon as a person uses special drugs used for instillation into the nose and auditory canal if they enter the larynx. At the same time, injections that are made into a vein or muscle, as well as eye drops, do not break the fast.

4. Swallowing liquid when gargling

When observing a fast, care must be taken when gargling for medicinal purposes or just to moisten - getting water inside will invalidate your fast. Swimming in a pond and taking a bath in a state of uraza is permissible, but one should beware of the penetration of liquid through the sinuses, pharynx and ears.

5. Use of medical inhalers

During fasting, the use of inhalers should be avoided whenever possible.

6. Intentionally inducing vomiting

If the person holding the uraza intentionally caused vomiting, then his fast is considered violated. If vomiting did not occur by the will of the person, then the fast remains valid.

7. Menstruation

In a situation where a woman has a seizure during daylight hours, she should stop fasting. She will need to make up this day after the end of her period.

Benefits of fasting

This pillar of Islam has many virtues for the believers who follow it.

Firstly, uraza is able to lead a person into the Gardens of Eden, which can be confirmed in the biography of the Prophet (S.G.V.): “Truly, in Paradise there is a gate called “Ar-Rayyan”, through which the Day of Judgment will enter fasting. And no one will enter through this gate except them ”(hadith from Bukhari and Muslim).

Secondly, fasting will serve as an intercessor for a Muslim on the Day of Judgment: “Fasting and the Koran on the Day of Judgment will intercede for the servant of Allah” (hadith from Ahmad).

Thirdly, uraza entails, as was said earlier.

In addition, all the requests of a believer who fasts will be accepted by the Almighty. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A dua is never rejected by a fasting person during breaking the fast” (Ibn Maja).