format_quote Originally Posted by
Almostready
Hello,
This is my first Ramadan. I was told I am exempt because I am breastfeeding my baby but I still want to experience it. I missed these first 2 days and have no idea what I am doing. All I know as of now is you get up before sunrise and consume a small meal, perform prayer and begin fasting. At Sunset(Maghrib) you break fast with dates and water, perform prayer and then eat(I know you still perform all prayers between and after). I feel like I am missing some steps or don't even have them right. Are there special prayers to do? I understand the purpose and meaning of Ramadan and this is why I am excited to gain this experience but I have no idea if I am doing it correctly. Please help me.
:sl: My sister and congratulations on your first Ramadan. This is truly a blessed month which you will come to love and miss it when it is gone. Regarding fasting during breastfeeding then it is only permissible if there is no harm upon you or the child in doing so or if it does not affect lactation. If it does then it is not permissible to fast. If it does not then you are required to fast. You can read more about pregnancy and fasting here:
Do nursing and pregnant women have to fast during Ramadan?
http://spa.qibla.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=2500&CATE=6
Regarding fasting then it is leaving all food, drink and sexual activity from dawn until dusk. So it starts just before Fajr prayer begins and ends just before Maghrib prayer begins. The 5 daily prayers are prayed as normal. The only extra prayer is Taraweeh which is not obligatory but recommended to pray during this blessed month and is prayers after Isha which is the night prayer. Women should pray this at home although if the facilities are available and there is no danger of coming across other men, mixing etc then they can pray at the Masjid.
Read more on the basics of Ramadan here:
Ramadan for Body and Soul
The Meaning, Purpose, and Benefits of Fasting
http://www.islamicbulletin.org/servi...ls.aspx?id=129
It is recommended to break the fast with either dates or water although it can be broken with any permissible food or drink. After that it is recommended to pray Maghrib so as to not delay it and then eat if you like. However what must be kept in mind is that the purpose of Ramadan is to control ones desires. It is not just abstaining from food and drink from dusk to dawn and as soon as the fast is over then eat like one has not eaten in years. But it is to eat until one is satisfied and not until one is totally full and bloated. This is not even recommended in normal times:
On the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath."
(Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah – Hadith sahih)
Al-Hassan Al-Basri: The test of Adam, peace be upon him, was food and it is your test until Qiyamah (The Day of Judgement). And, it used to be said: Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds. And: Wisdom does not reside in a full stomach. One day, Al-Hassan offered some food to his companion who said: I have eaten until I am no longer able to eat. To which Al-Hassan said: Subhaana Allah! (Glory be to Allah) Does a Muslim eat until he is no longer able to eat?
So from this we can see that a Muslim should not eat too much and more so in Ramadan because the main purpose of Ramadan is to control our desires and food is of our biggest desires and so what is the point of going hungry all day just to fill ourselves to the point that we cannot eat anymore? Also how is that going to enable us to feel what the poor feel? Islam is all about moderation. Therefore we should always eat and drink moderately for that is better for us both spiritually and physically.
To gain a greater understanding of the purpose of fasting then please read the following:
The inner dimensions of fasting:
http://www.islamicboard.com/fasting-...must-read.html
The following is a link
Also please click and download the following E book which covers the basics of Islam and more in a very easy to read and understand style:
Islam: Beliefs and teachings
http://www.islamicbulletin.org/free_...m_children.pdf
Free resources and E books on Islam:
http://www.islamicboard.com/discover...ces-islam.html
The following link enables you to download a prayer and Ramadan schedule timetable for Florida:
http://masjidassunnah-fl.com/media/d...MADAN-1434.pdf
I would also recommend that you find a Muslim sisters group nearby so that you may find and befriend like minded sisters and new Muslims who you can relate to and knowledgeable sisters who will be able to help you with your journey.
The following are links with lists of Masjids in Florida that you may contact:
http://mosquelist.blogspot.co.uk/201...orida-usa.html
http://www.mosquesmasjids.com/search...search=Florida
http://www.iscf.org/about/our-history.html#.UeCmq4ZwbWM
If you need anymore help or advice on anything at all then please do not hesitate to ask.
:wa: