Wishing Muslims around the world Ramadan Mubarak 2009

Ramadan 2009

The first day of Ramadan will begin by the Sunset of August 20 in the year of 2009 for North and South America. This means that our first fasting day will be Aug.21, God willing. Our last fasting day of Ramadan will be September 18, 2009. Night of Destiny, 27th night of Ramadan, starts at the sunset of September 15, 2009. To verify your city's first day of Ramadan, check on the time of the sunset and the time of the birth of the New Moon at the USA Naval Observatory. If the new moon is born before the Sunset you will fast next morning as the first day of fasting. If it is born after the Sunset, then, the first day of Ramadan will start by the following Sunset, and you fast the day after that.
Quran Verses about Ramadan & Fasting
[2:183] O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.
2:183-187. Like all duties in Submission, fasting was decreed through Abraham
(22:78). Prior to revelation of the Quran, sexual intercourse was prohibited throughout the fasting period. This rule is modified in 2:187 to allow intercourse during the nights of Ramadan.
[2:184] Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better. But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.
[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.
[2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.
[2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the Masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress
them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.
The Meaning of Ramadan
Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims. The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam (submission in English), fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Quran, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds. For Muslims (Submitters), Ramadan is an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by going without and to grow stronger by enduring weakness. As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
Who Fasts in Ramadan?
Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory on those who can do it. . Sick people and some travelers in certain conditions are exempted from the fast but must make it up as they are able.
From Dawn to Sunset
The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between -- that is, during the dawn and daylight hours -- Muslims (Submitters) totally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex. The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar) after sunset.
The Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, migrates throughout the seasons. Thus, if Ramadan begins on January 20 one year, next year it will begin on January 9. In this way, the length of the day, and thus the fasting period, varies in length from place to place over the years. Every Muslim, no matter where he or she lives, will see an average Ramadan day of the approximately 13.5 hours.
Devotion to God
The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of special spiritual power as everyone tries to come closer to God through devotions and good deeds. The night on which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet, known as the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr), is generally taken to be the 27th night of the month. The Quran states that this night is better than a thousand months. Therefore many Muslims (Submitters) spend the entire night in prayer. During the month, Muslims (Submitters) try to read as much of the Quran as they can. Some spend part of their day listening to the recitation of the Quran in a mosque. meet for Quranic studies or for congregation prayers. Some spend the last ten days of Ramadan in a mosque devoting the whole ten days for worshipping God.
Better than a 1000 months
[97:1] We revealed it (Quran) in the Night of Destiny.
[97:2] How awesome is the Night of Destiny!
[97:3] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months.
[97:4] The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord's leave, to carry out every command.
[97:5] Peaceful it is until the advent of the dawn.
Food in Ramadan
Since Ramadan is a special time, Muslims (Submitters) in many parts of the world prepare certain favorite foods during this month. Since Ramadan emphasizes community aspects and since everyone eats dinner at the same time, Muslims often invite one another to share in the Ramadan evening meal.
Some Muslims (Submitters) find that they eat less for dinner during Ramadan than at other times due to stomach contraction. However, as a rule, most Muslims experience little fatigue during the day since the body becomes used to the altered routine during the first week of Ramadan.
The Intention
It is obligatory for the fasting person to confirm his/her intention before the appearance of fajr. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said "He who does not resolve to fast before it is fajr, then there is no fast for him" (Abu Dawood) Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever does not intend to fast before dawn, there is no fast for him." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 730. According to a version narrated by al-Nasaai (2334): "Whoever does not intend to fast from the night before, there is no fast for him." Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 573. The place of intention is the heart and to utter it verbally is not established from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Thus one should make intention in ones heart  before going to sleep.

The time for beginning and ending the fast.
i ) There are two types of fajr:  False fajr and True fajr
a) False Fajr, At this time  it is unlawful to pray fajr prayer but it is permissible to eat for the one intending to fast. The false fajr is distinguished by a rising vertical column of whiteness which appears like the  tail of a wolf. b) True fajr. At this time it is lawful to pray the fajr pray but is it unlawful to eat for one who is fasting. It is distinguished by a white light coming across the horizon in the East. Thus one should stop all eating and drinking before the True fajr.
ii) The meal that is taken before the fajr is called Suhoor (predawn meal) We should make sure that we eat and drink something at Suhoor, and that we delay it until just before the adhaan of Fajr.The Prophet [an error occurred while processing this directive] (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said "The distinction between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the book is the taking of the pre -dawn meal (Suhoor)" (Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: " Have Suhoor, for in Suhoor there is blessing (barakah)." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 4/139). "Suhoor is blessed food, and it involves being different from the people of the Book. What a good Suhoor for the believer is dates." (Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 2345; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/448).  He (peace be upon him) also said "The Suhoor is a meal of blessings, so do not leave it, even if one of you takes just a gulp of water, since Allah sends mercy and His angels seek forgiveness for those who take Suhoor" (Ahmad)  It is also guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to delay the Suhoor meal until just before the true fajr. (note along with no eating or drinking whilst fasting. Also swallowing saliva of some one else invalidates the fast.

The time to breaking the fast (Iftar).
This time is as soon as Maghrib Starts (after sun has set). If you are in the Masjid or close by and  hear the Athan for Maghrib prayer then it means you can now break your fast. One should hasten to break the fast because the (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The people will be fine so long as they do not delay iftaar." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 4/198). He (peace be upon him)  also said "My Ummah will not cease to be upon my Sunnah as long as they do not await the stars when breaking the fast" (Ibn Hibban). So as soon as Maghrib begins (i.e. if you are in the Masjid and Athan is said) one should start to break the fast immediately. Break the fast in the manner described in the hadeeth narrated by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates; if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/79 and others. He said it is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth. Classed as saheeh in al-Irwa?, no. 922).

Importance of last 10 Nights of Ramadan -- Whilst seeking Laylat al Qadr say
 "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibb ul-afwa fa'fu 'annii
( O Allah, You are Forgiving and Generous, and you love forgiveness, so forgive me.)  (Narrated by Imam Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi (3515) and Ibn Maajah (3850). Its isnaad is saheeh).