SOME RULES AND REGULATIONS ABOUT FASTING

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory on every sane adult Muslim male/female. It was first required of Muslims to fast during the second year of Hijrah. The way to fast is to abstain from eating, drinking, and intimate marital relations from dawn to sunset. Children over eight years are to be encouraged to fast gradually so that they get used to fasting. One must have the intention (niyah) during the night to fast the following day of Ramadan. It is however sufficient to have the intention to fast during Ramadan at the beginning of the month.

Ramadan has a greater meaning than fasting alone. It involves a moral and social code, and a commitment to charitable deeds. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said that whoever fasts but indulges in falsehood, let him/her know that his/her giving up of food and drink shall not benefit him/her in front of Allah. Ramadan is therefore a period of meditation and prayer during which Muslims tend to withdraw a little from their usual daily affairs and spend long periods in the mosque. These devotions are in addition to the five daily prayers which Muslims observe throughout the year.

Although, the fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory, however under certain circumstances a fast may be postponed. For example;

• During sickness
• If traveling for more than 60 miles
• Women who are pregnant or breast feeding children
• During their monthly period, women are not only exempted, but also forbidden to fast. The same applies to women during their period of post-natal discharge.

ZAKAT AL-FITR, FIDYAH and ZAKAT AL-MAAL

Muslims are urged to be always charitable, but in Ramadan they are urged to be more so. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to give away much during the month of Ramadan.

Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana):
However, a special mandatory charity, Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana), must be paid by the head of the family on behalf of every dependent member during the month of Ramadan or before the Eid al-Fitr prayers. Dependents include all children even the one born during the month of Ramadan before the Eid prayers. It is also to be paid on behalf of helpers and/or parents who are financially supported by the head of the family. A companion of prophet Muhammed (PBUH), Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakat al-Fitr) as a Sa'a of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]. According to the majority of scholars One Sa'a is approximately between 2.6 Kg to 3 Kg. The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said that the reward for ones fast remains suspended between heavens until Zakat al-Fitr is paid. Zakat al-Fitr is estimated to be $15 per person but one may give more.

Fidyah:
As described above, Fidyah is a donation of money or food made to help those in need. Fidyah is made when someone cannot fast for the required number of days, and will not be able to make up for the fast. In Ramadan, the Fidyah must be paid for each missed fast. Fidyah is equal to the amount of a full meal. This year it is estimated to be $12 per missed fast. If you know your typical full meal cost is different then please calculate and donate accordingly.

Zakat Al-Maal:
Zakat, or almsgiving, is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with prayer, fasting, pilgrimage (Hajj), and belief in Allah (SWT) and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). For every sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount-known as the nisab-he or she must pay 2.5% of that wealth as zakat.
In the Holy Qur'an (2:110), we read, "And establish prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves-you will find it with Allah; surely Allah sees what you do." Muslims may pay Zakat al-Maal (2.5%) of their savings for a period of one full year during Ramadan.