The Quran gives numerous commandments governing all aspects of life, while five basic pillars have been traditionally emphasized: bearing witness to God alone, five daily Contact Prayers, Ramadan fasting, Zakat, and Hajj.1, 2
The world is designed to show whether we uphold God's authority or Satan's views, and the changing day and night test our willingness to observe the Dawn Prayer and fast during the hottest, longest days.1
Fasting in Ramadan restores the stomach's size, lowers blood pressure, removes toxins, rests the kidneys, and reduces harmful fat.1
Other Islamic groups get the beginnings and ends of Islamic months wrong and fight among themselves about Ramadan every year.1, 2
The Quran and science teach that God designed the sun and moon to run with predictable precision, so the start of each lunar month, including Ramadan, can be calculated exactly in advance.1, 2
For one month each year one must abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual activity from dawn to sunset.1
Fasting Ramadan builds the soul through self discipline, but innovated rules like not swallowing saliva or ending the fast only with dates make it needlessly difficult.1, 2
Preparing for Ramadan is important, and starting to eat moderately beforehand may help the body handle fasting so one can make the best of the month.1
Ramadan is a special time to grow our souls through meditation and glorification of God, and every day of it is a chance to commemorate God.1, 2
Those who witness Ramadan, the month the Quran was revealed, must fast, while the ill or traveling may make up the same number of other days, since God wishes convenience.1
The dates of Ramadan fasting are determined by new moon times; in 2016 fasting runs from June 6 to July 4 for most of the USA.1, 2
Ramadan begins the day after the new moon if it occurs before local sunset, and ends on the day the next new moon occurs before sunset, otherwise one fasts the next day.1, 2
Breaking the fast each evening is a profound reminder that God is the Provider and in control of all things, bringing peace that leads people to glorify Him.1
Fasting during Ramadan remits sins, shows appreciation of God, and pays big dividends toward our place in the Hereafter.1, 2
God is aware of individual circumstances, so those who can fast only with great difficulty may feed one poor person for each day instead, though fasting is best.1, 2
Ramadan is a peaceful time for meditation, reflection, reading the Quran, finding personal weaknesses, and repenting, and hunger becomes a chance to remember God.1, 2
Ramadan is the month in which God revealed the Quran, and those who witness it must fast, while the ill or traveling may make up the same number of days later.1, 2
The most important blessing of Ramadan, as God designed it, is that it is a feast for the soul.1
Fasting during Ramadan is a gift from God, decreed for believers as it was for those before them, so that they may attain salvation.1, 2
Ramadan is a time to grow the soul and shrink the ego toward salvation, and its righteous thoughts and deeds should become habits that continue all year.1, 2
Ramadan is the month the Quran was revealed, and those who witness it shall fast, while the ill or traveling may make up the same number of other days.1
Those who can fast only with great difficulty may feed one poor person for each day missed, though fasting remains best and volunteering more is better.1, 2
All religious duties are gifts for the soul that help us remember and appreciate God, and fasting feeds the soul and lets it rule the body.1, 2
Before the Quran, sexual intercourse was forbidden for the whole fasting period, and the Quran changes this rule to allow intercourse with one's wife during the nights of Ramadan.1, 2
Believers should fast happily rather than gloomily, seeking to please God alone, as Jesus taught his followers.1, 2
During Ramadan believers try to focus more on God through more commemoration, imploring, Quran reading, and Quran study with other submitters.1
Fasting is decreed for believers, as it was decreed for those before them, so that they may attain salvation.1, 2
Fasting is meant as motivation, not hardship, because hunger makes us appreciate God's provisions and feel for those who have less.1
God decreed fasting so we can be guided and grow strong souls able to enjoy being in God's presence in the Hereafter.1, 2
God wants ease, not hardship, for the believers, and He does not want them to be miserable while they fast.1, 2
If we slip while fasting, we seek forgiveness and work a little harder.1
Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed, and those who witness it shall fast in it.1
Sexual intercourse is forbidden for someone who chooses to retreat to the masjid during the last ten days of Ramadan.1
The Old Testament teaches that true fasting means freeing the oppressed, breaking injustice, sharing food with the hungry, and sheltering the poor.1, 2
Those fasting may eat and drink until the first light of dawn can be told from the dark of night, and then they fast until sunset.1
Those who are ill or traveling may make up the same number of days later, and those who can fast only with great difficulty may instead feed one poor person for each day.1
Apart from fasting dawn to sunset, God leaves people free to choose what and how much to eat, while avoiding prohibited items and eating and drinking in moderation.1, 2, 3
As faith grows and the soul strengthens, fasting becomes easier, so those who find it hard have hope.1
Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, Ramadan comes 10 to 12 days earlier each year, testing whether we fast in every season.1, 2
During Ramadan one fasts from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and sex, while eating, drinking, and marital intercourse are allowed at night except during retreat in the mosque.1, 2
Fasting also has scientifically proven benefits for physical health and mental well-being, including resting the digestive system.1, 2
Fasting can help overcome the ego by showing our weakness and dependence, encouraging greater reliance on God and humility.1, 2
Fasting deepens appreciation for food and water and can increase compassion for those who lack them.1, 2