Tanushri

Candidate Number: 4082

A. Describe what happens at the fast of Ramadan.

B. Explain the importance of Ramadan to Muslims and

     ways in which it may affect their lives.

C. “For Muslims, fasting has both advantages and

     disadvantages.” Do you agree?

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

Contents Page

My Aims……….................................................. pg 2

Part A…………………………....……….............. pg 3

Part B………………………………….................. pg 6

Part C………………………………….…............. pg 8

Pg 1

Aims for the end of this project!

   During this project I aim to study the topic of the fast of Ramadan. Firstly I aim to explain what happens in the lead up to, during and after the fast of Ramadan. I aim to give as much information about Ramadan as I can.

   Secondly I will aim to display the importance of Ramadan to Muslims and show ways in which it may affect their daily lives.

   In the final section of my coursework I will aim to give and explain both the advantages and disadvantages of fasting from different points of view.

Pg2

Part A

Describe what happens at

the fast of Ramadan

What is a fast?

   Fasting is  giving up eating food, for a set space of time, for spiritual discipline, or of religious dishonour.

   Fasting can be giving up food altogether or just giving up certain foods like dairy products or meat.

What happens at the fast of Ramadan?

   Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and a time when Muslims across the world will fast during daylight hours. The word Ramadan is derived from ramida or ar-ramad, meaning extreme heat. The month is named after this to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach because of thirst. The fast of Ramadan (sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is necessary for a Muslim to take part.

   Muslims acknowledge five rules or beliefs as ‘pillars of faith’. These are Shahadah to declare their belief, Salat to pray five times a day, Zakat to give a certain amount of money to charity, Sawm to fast and Hajj to make a pilgrimage to Makkah.  “Worship Allah, be steadfast in prayer, fast during Ramadan, pay alms to the less fortunate...” Saum, the fourth pillar, is practised during the month of Ramadan. This indicates that Muslims are thinking about the less fortunate during this time and doing it because Allah had told them to. This shows respect for god and the thoughtfulness of Muslims, thinking about people in need.

   This is a sacred time for worship and concentration on the Islamic faith, rather than everyday activities, but some people don’t have to fast. For example, if they are ill, elderly, on a journey, pregnant or on their period. If a child, who has not yet started puberty, is fasting, they are permitted to break their fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year.

   During Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the time when the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This time begins on the night of the 27th day of Ramadan, when it is said that the Qur'an’s first verses were revealed, a night known as Lailut ul-Qadr ('The Night of Power'). No one knows for sure exactly when in Ramadan the Night of Power is, but on a designated night, many Muslims read prayers and read from the Qur’an.

   Ramadan falls eleven days earlier each year, because it starts when the new moon is sighted, it comes once in a lunar calendar year. Some years the fast begins very early.  If this happens then an extra meal, called suhur, can be squeezed in before sunrise.  This routine goes on for approximately 30 days and ends with Eid ul Fitr.

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Pg 3

   The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with friends and family. The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-control and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well.

   Reading the Qur'an is an important part of Ramadan, and many Muslims will attempt to read the whole of the Qur'an at least once during the Ramadan period. Many will also attend special services in Mosques where the Qur'an is read.

   It is common to ...

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