Characteristics Of Ramadan

1. Ramadan: The ninth month of the Hijri calendar. It is the month where the Holy Qur’an was revealed and fasting was ordained.
2. The determination of the start of the month of Ramadan is confirmed by citing the crescent or the completion of the previous month 30 days (the completion of Sha`ban).
3. Al-Saum (Fasting): To abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from the break of the dawn until sunset.
4. Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory.
5. The intention of Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory.
6. The intention to fast must be confirmed the night before Fajr Azan. (You can make the intention before the first day of Ramadan to fast the whole month.)
7. Time of abstinence in Fasting: The span of time from dawn (from before Fajr Azan, not sunrise) until sunset. (Do not wait until sunrise to Abstain from food. Abstinence is before Fajr Azan. Whoever eats after Fajr time, his fasting will be voided.)
8. Hastening in breaking the Fast immediately after sunset. Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) said: When the night approaches and the day retreats and the sun sets, then the observer of the Fast should break his fast . “Sahih Muslim”
9. Taraweeh Prayer: Abu Salamah bin Abdul-Rahman reported that he asked Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) about Taraweeh (the Night Prayer) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) during the month of Ramadan. She said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not observe either in Ramadan or in any other month more than eleven rakaas (of the Night Prayer). He (in the first instance) observed four rakaas. Ask not about their excellence and their length (i.e. these were matchless in perfection and length). He again observed four rakaas and asks not about their excellence and length. He would then observe three rakaas (of the Witr Prayer). “Sahih Muslim”
10. Sahur (Pre-dawn Meal): A meal taken before the dawn during the nights of the month of Ramadan.
11. Delaying sahur (pre-dawn meal): Until immediately before the time prescribed for Fasting begins.
12. Fasting is a protection against vain desires.
13. A fasting person avoids sins. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When anyone of you gets up in the morning in a state of Fasting, he should neither use obscene language nor does any act of ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say: I am fasting, I am fasting. “Sahih Muslim”
14. The reward of good deeds during Ramadan:
    • Expiation of sins by Fasting.
    • Intercession of Fasting on the Day of Resurrection.
15. Fasting and Paradise:
    • Opening the gates of Paradise in Ramadan.
    • Allocating Al-Raiyan Gate in Paradise for fasting people. Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: In Paradise there is a gate which is called Al-Raiyan through which only the observers of the Fast would enter on the Day of Resurrection. No one else would enter along with them. It would be proclaimed: Where are the observers of the Fast? They would then enter through that gate. And when the last of them would enter, it would be closed and no one else would be admitted from that gate. “Sahih Muslim”
16. Exerting oneself in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan (intensify and increase worship during the last ten days of Ramadan).
17. Lailat Al-Qadr (Night of Revelation): One of the last ten nights (most likely the night of the twenty-seventh of Ramadan). It was during this night that the Holy Qur’an was sent down to the first firmament.
    • Commemoration of Lailat Al-Qadr : Spending Lailat Al-Qadr in worship and Remembrance of Allah.
    • Reason for concealing the exact time of Lailat Al-Qadr is to intensify and increase worship.
18. Supplication upon breaking the fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say: The thirst has been quenched, and the veins have been watered, and the reward has been accepted God willing. Also, Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr used to say (Lord, I ask you by your mercy that has engulfed everything, to forgive all of my sins).
19. The fasting person’s supplication for whoever offers him Iftar; May the fasting people break their fast in your company, and may the righteous people eat your food, and may the angles supplicate for you.
20. The Lesser Feast: It occurs on the first of Shawwal, when Muslims break the fast of Ramadan.

Imam Mahmoud Sulaiman, wishes you a rewarding and blessed Ramadan, your donation will be greatly appreciated for the new Masjid.