Describe what happens at the fast of Ramadan?

During Ramadan, it's particularly abhorrent for Muslims to tell lies, insult others, criticize someone behind their back, bear false witness or crave someone else' possessions. Though these things are considered offensive at all other times of the year, they are thought to undo all the good gained by fasting. But people should be kind to one another and to be helpful, polite and to treat animals well.

On the night of the 27th day of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Laylat-al-Qadr or 'Night of Power'. It is said that the Qur'an was revealed to Mohammed on this night. On this night people all around the world pray to God and ask for forgiveness.

If you have you eat anything or drink anything accidentally, because you forgot you were fasting, your fast does not break, but if you eat or drink anything intentionally your fast is broken. There are strict rules about keeping your fast. These are; you are not allowed to swear, smoke, you must not be selfish, greedy and have any sexual intercourse during the hours of fasting. People also pray to god and ask for forgiveness.

Ramadan ends with a three day festival called Id-al-Fitr. It's a time for friends and family to gather together in prayer, exchange gifts and indulge in large meals and mainly children get pocket money. People also visit their dead relatives in the cemetery where they will pray for them.

Explain the importance of Ramadan to Muslims and the way in which it may affect you?

Ramadan is important because it happens on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; Ramadan is also the fourth pillar of Islam.

It gives you inner spiritual strength, you also develop self-control over your passions and appetites, people also feel the thirst and hunger of other people and feel sympathy for them and mainly give them money as Zakaah (alms) which is the third pillar of Islam and you only have to pay 2.5% of your income or more if you want.

Ramadan is also important because it brings the whole community together by praying together in a mosque. Ramadan is also important for Muslims because it is believed to be the month during which the holy Qur'an was revealed by god to Mohammed (PBUH).

This might affect a Muslims life by they will become more holy and spiritual and get closer to God, they will have a better self-discipline of them selves, they will stop and think about what they do in the future like committing any bad sins or deeds e.g. stealing; they might start to care about poor people and not put food to waste and also by Muslims fasting and not doing any bad deeds they might get closer to God. It makes them feel that they have fulfilled a requirement which is the fourth pillar of Islam which is sawn (fasting).

''For Muslims, fasting has advantages and disadvantages''

Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show you have thought about different points of view.

No I disagree because fasting teaches you manners; you have to be kind and polite while you are fasting. It also teaches you self-control because when you're fasting you have to control your anger and you cannot swear, while you are fasting you will feel hunger and thirst of the poor and less fortunate people and this is meant to learn you to control you're passions and appetite.

It helps one to feel compassionate for those who are less fortunate and underprivileged, since each day one will feel greater appreciation for what he/she has a result of feeling hunger, thirst and the desire to smoke. It offers a time for Muslims to ''purify'' their bodies as well as their souls, by developing a greater sense of humility, spiritually and community. Ramadan is a very spiritual time for Muslims.

But some people might agree that Ramadan has its disadvantages because hunger and the thirst can be agonizing and you have to try really hard to follow the rules of fasting e.g. no swearing, smoking or taking drugs. Therefore I believe that Ramadan has only got advantages because it teaches you self-discipline and how to control your passions and appetite.

H/W Magid Mah 17/05/2007

Islam Coursework