1-In Ramadan, (the 9th month of
the lunar Islamic year) Muslims fast in obedience to Allah's command and in
gratitude for Allah's Grace for revealing His Glorious Book, Al-Qur'an, in
Ramadan. 2-As-Sawm is to abstain from eating, drinking and intimate intercourse
from dawn to sunset. 3-If sick or on a journey, a Muslim is permitted to
break his fast. 4-If he breaks the fast, he has to make up by
fasting a number of days equal to the days in which he broke fasting in
Ramadan. 5-After the end of Ramadan comes "Id 'al-Fitr" (the Holy day of Breaking
the Fast) which is the 1st day of Shawwal, the month following
Ramadan. 6-On the 'Id morning, all Muslims congregate, in open grounds or in
mospues, to perform "Id Prayer" to express their happiness and gratitude to
Allah for enabling them to complete this duty of Fasting.
7-Concerning this
important duty, Allah says:
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as
it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (observe) piety and
self-restraint" {Al-Qur'an 2:183}
8-Also, He
says: "Ramadan is the month in which was sent down Al-Qur'an, as a guide to
mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and
wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home, village, or town)
during that month should fast it, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the
prescribed period (should be made up) by other days. {Al-Qur'an
2:185}
