| What is Ramadan? | Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic Calendar, during which Muslims believe the Qur’an began to be revealed to Muhammed, “it was the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind”, so Many Muslims will recite the whole of the Qur’an, over the 30 days of Ramadan, to remember the Qur’an’s teachings and its importance in guiding their lives. |
| What do Muslims focus on doing in Ramadan? | In Ramadan, Muslims focus on fasting, charity, and pleasing God. |
| What do Muslims fast? | Muslims fast not only food and drink, but also smoking and sex, during daylight hours. |
| Why do Muslim students not have excuses to give in to temptation? | Muslim students who are surrounded by food during break hours, and participate in pe lessons without water to rehydrate, have no excuse to give in to temptation because many schools in the UK provide social rooms in Ramadan so Muslims can avoid the temptation to eat or drink. |
| Why do Muslims believe Ramadan should also be a time of fasting aggression? | Muslims believe Ramadan should also be a time of fasting aggression. Aggression such as profanity and physical abuse is haram in Islam because it is known to be an act that separates one away from Allah by bringing them closer to Iblis, “One of the signs of Satan…is when a person is an abuser, and he does not care about what he says or what is said to him. Therefore Muslims fast aggression in Ramadan because it detracts from devoting oneself to Allah, the entire purpose of Salah. |
| Why do Muslims believe Ramadan should also be a time of fasting lust? | Muslims believe Ramadan should also be a time of fasting lust because lustful acts are believed to be under the influence of Shaytan, and ergo in error. The Qur’an states, “Satan threatens you with want, and orders you to commit shameful acts, but Allah promises his pardon and Grace”, which suggests Muslims who surrender to lustful temptation forget Allah words and follow Satan’s. Therefore Muslims believe they should fast lust to become masters of control, and prove to Allah they are faithful. |
| What do Muslims believe about Salah allows them to focus on? | Muslims believe that Salah allows them to focus on God, which requires purity of through to cleanse the soul and free it from harm. Fasting requires self-discipline while allowing Muslims to sacrifice their physical needs, “Fasting is a noble act that is much beloved by Allah”, so Allah can see their genuine faith. Therefore Salah acts as evidence of Muslim’s submission to God, which ensures their full focus is on him. |
| Why do Muslims believe not all people need to fast? | Some Muslims believe not all Muslims need to fast because Islam teaches exceptions can be made for health reasons. This teaching is reflected in the Qur’an quote, “anyone who is ill or on a journey should make up for the lost days by fasting on other days”, which infers, if fasting poses a health risk for some such as pregnant women, children, and the ill, they have permission to fast when it is no longer a risk. |
| How does Sawm teach obedience from an early age? | Sawm teaches obedience from an early age as the Qur’an states capable children should fast. The Qur’an states, “children are ordered to fast if they able”, therefore children will also harness the strictness and resistance required to fast creating a strengthened bond between Muslims and Allah as sacrifice for him. Children fasting from a young age would install this strengthened bond earlier in their lives, allowing the young to be devoted Muslims, in comparison to Zakah which children cannot give, or Shahadah which children may overlook. |
| How does Sawm influence Muslims do give charity? | The hunger of Sawm influences Muslims to give charity, by reminding them of those who are economically deprived of food. The Qur’an states, “He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful”, which infers Allah intends for the heightened awareness of hunger to inspire Muslims to help the poor, which many do by inviting people to share meals that break the fast at sunset, or by paying Zakah. |
| What is the Night of Power? | The Night of Power is a Muslim festival, in the second half of Ramadan, that marks the beginning of Allah’s revelation to Muhammed. |
| How does believing in the Night of Power influence Muslims? | Believing in the Night of Power influences Muslims to devote themselves to praying and studying the Qur’an. The Qur’an says, “The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months”, which teaches Muslims that observing the Night of Power gives Muslims the benefits of worshipping for a thousand months. Due to This belief, some Muslims try to keep aware at night, on each of the possible dates in the Night of Power, to pray and study the Qur’an. |
