Great Muslim post: traditions

In every religion there are different posts. They are long and short, especially revered and less revered. For Muslims, the most important is the fast of Ramadan, which falls on the same month. It is compulsory for all believers. The Muslim fast has some differences, for example from the Christian in modern form, although the spiritual goal is the same both there and there.

What is Ramadan and how did it come about

The Muslim fast of Ramadan is one of the most important events of this religion. It is compulsory for compliance, and also one of the five pillars of Islam. Although, according to legend, the prophet Muhammad was unfriendly toward asceticism, but he himself established this post. It falls on the ninth month of the lunar calendar, and since the lunar year is shorter than the Gregorian year, the start of the fast begins eleven days earlier than the previous one. Its name coincides with the name of the month of Ramadan, but in the Türkic languages it is most often called Uraza.

It was in this month that the prophet Muhammad was given the first revelation from the Lord, which was handed to him by the angel Jebrail. Such revelations subsequently entered the Koran. The first revelation was received at night on the twenty-seventh day, and it is believed that on this day Allah is most favorable to the believers. When the Muslim fast begins, then during the daytime one should completely refuse to eat. Other austerities are also observed, more about which will be discussed below.

It should be noted that the time of the beginning of the fast and the time to leave it is determined by the locality in which the fasting is. If a believer started his job in one place, but for certain reasons he had to leave for another and there he ends a day or two before, then you should take it. The day of departure from Ramadan must be met with all, and the missed days be moved to another time.

What is the purpose of the fast for Muslims?

The essence of the Muslim fast is the manifestation of one's will power over the desires of the flesh for the sake of the triumph of the spirit. At this time, the believer needs to concentrate on his inner world to find his sinful inclinations and destroy them, as well as repent of those sins that are committed. It is very important to fight against pride at this time, in order to sincerely reconcile before the will of the Creator.

In the Muslim fast, Ramadan should reflect on their lives, rethink their values, what is truly important and what is superficial. Thanks to this, there is a strengthening of faith, spiritual growth of the believer and, possibly, a change in life priorities.

Actions forbidden and permitted during Ramadan

The Muslim fast in the month of Ramadan has a number of forbidden acts that violate its current, and resolved. Let us list them below.

• Do not deliberately eat and drink.
• It is forbidden to smoke.
• During sex, sexual intercourse is prohibited if it leads to ejaculation.
• Do not inject drugs rectally and vaginally (in this case, the post is better to transfer).
• The post is considered invalid unless the intention was pronounced. This is done every day.
• Do not swallow moisture, which even involuntarily falls into the mouth. That is why during the fasting period it is not recommended to go swimming and you need to take a shower with caution.
• You can brush your teeth, but you need to take care not to swallow water or toothpaste in the process.
• Swallowing of saliva is not considered a violation of fasting.
• It is allowed to donate blood or make bloodletting during Ramadan.
• You can also inject drugs with injections.

Eating during a fast

In the month of the Muslim fast there are only two meals. The first time a believer takes food before the sun rises (this is a prerequisite). Such a pre-dawn breakfast is called suhoor. This is an obligatory act, since it is believed that the Muslim in this case will receive more reward, as he will perform all the actions prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad. Then, after sunrise, the believer should not eat anything.

Evening meal is called iftar. It is performed after sunset and prayer (evening namaz and, of course, local time is taken into account). Later eating is not recommended. Razgovlenie occurs in a small number of dates, and then you can eat fully, but very modestly. However, all the dishes are quite substantial and there are a lot of them, because this month it is customary to treat not only your family, but also other people. In the post, one must always invite neighbors, friends and distant relatives to visit them and feed them.

It should be noted that at night the believer is obliged to utter an intention. This is a phrase that speaks of the desire to perform a fast for the sake of Allah. It can be in any form and it needs to be pronounced in the heart. If the phrase was not pronounced, then the day of the fast is considered void. Pronounce it at night between prayers.

Many believers from other religions are surprised by this way of fasting, however, the ancient Christians also had this kind of fasting. The whole day they did not eat food and prayed fervently, only after vespers they could consume a certain amount of food to support the forces in their body. Over time, the form of fasting changed somewhat in the Christian tradition, as a result, they only ruled out certain types of food from their diet. Thus, the kind of fast that is now preserved in Islam, has quite ancient roots.

Leaving the post

The Muslim fast ends in thirty days on the first day of Shawwal. In honor of this, they arrange a real holiday, which is called Uraza-Bayram. On this day, believers break fast and perform a festive prayer. Also in this Muslim holiday (fasting) should pay alms. This is done in a mosque or those who need help. Also, you should visit the mosque, and then celebrate the end of the fast in a circle of relatives and close friends.

Who can not make a fast?

Fasting in the month of Ramadan in the Muslim tradition may not be observed in the following cases:

• If a person is sick and it is very difficult or impossible for him to sustain a fast.
• Pregnant and lactating women also do not observe Ramadan.
• Children who have not reached puberty.
• Old men, infirm and incurable patients, however they must feed the poor or pay a certain amount.
• People can also not fast on the road, but they must fill it after the completion of the journey. However, if they started abstinence in food, then it is not allowed to interrupt, even if they had to leave. For non-observance of the same post, the journey must be distant, no less than eighty-three kilometers from the house.
• Ramadan may not adhere to non-Muslims (for them it is considered void).
• Mentally ill people who are in a clouded mind.

It should be noted that even if believers do not observe fasting, they are not allowed to demonstratively eat, drink and smoke with other believers.

Conclusion

So, as we see, the great Muslim fast is very important for all believers. At this time, a person becomes closer to the Lord because of the rejection of all that is superfluous, which usually accompanies his life. In addition, there is a spiritual union with the close people in the Muslim post, as everyone supports each other in this pious matter, and also conducts numerous conversations about the spiritual.