Islam & Muslims
Islam & Muslims
Islam & Muslims
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RAMADAN<br />
How Non-Muslim Host Families can<br />
Better Prepare and Support<br />
Muslim Students During Ramadan
Have questions? CECF has answers!<br />
Contact Imam Arafat and his trained staff at CECF with<br />
questions about Ramadan, <strong>Islam</strong>, or any questions<br />
about hosting a practicing Muslim student.<br />
Imam Arafat, CECF<br />
Email: cecf1@aol.com Phone: 410-944-6077<br />
For years CECF has advised YES students and host families with<br />
practical advice to help happy exchange experiences and<br />
encourage multi-religious, multi-cultural understanding.
Quick <strong>Islam</strong>ic Definitions<br />
~ <strong>Islam</strong>: Surrender to the will of the one God, called Allah in Arabic<br />
(Muslim’s religion/way of life)<br />
~ Muslim: Believer of <strong>Islam</strong><br />
~ Five Pillars of <strong>Islam</strong>: Obligatory duties of all <strong>Muslims</strong><br />
~ Qur’an: Blessed book of God’s words revealed to the Last<br />
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)<br />
through Angel Gabriel<br />
~ Shahadah: Declaration of Faith ~ The first pillar which states<br />
“I testify that there is no god but God and I testify that<br />
Muhammad is the Messenger of God”
Fasting in Ramadan is 1 of the 5 Pillars of <strong>Islam</strong><br />
~ Obligatory month of fasting for<br />
adult <strong>Muslims</strong> from dawn to sunset.<br />
~ The Qur’an was revealed during this<br />
month.<br />
~ <strong>Muslims</strong> believe that Fasting &<br />
Performing Night Prayers with<br />
sincere faith is a means to having<br />
one’s sins forgiven.<br />
~ <strong>Muslims</strong> believe that the gates of<br />
Heaven are opened, gates of Hell<br />
are closed, and the devil is chained<br />
up during Ramadan.
What Does It Mean to Fast?<br />
~ <strong>Muslims</strong> must fast from dawn to sunset every day.<br />
~ Food, drinks, sexual relations or smoking during the<br />
daylight hours is not allowed.<br />
~ One is expected to do his best to practice self control<br />
& discipline,<br />
~ Control anger,<br />
~ Refrain from using harsh language or insults, and<br />
~ To tolerate, forgive and respect others.
Benefits of Fasting<br />
~ Builds self-control and will-power to better resist worldly<br />
temptations (such as excessive food intake, drugs or other<br />
unhealthy substances), peer-pressure, and refrain from unhealthy<br />
behaviors.<br />
~ Helps one to feel compassion for the poor and needy.<br />
~ Helps one appreciate the many blessings and gifts (such as comfort<br />
and convenience) one possesses.<br />
~ Purifies one’s body* and soul.<br />
~ Opportunity to reflect and appreciate Faith and Family.<br />
~ Develop a greater sense of generosity and forgiveness.<br />
* Numerous scientific research proves that there are many health benefits of<br />
a Muslim’s annual fast during the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Greetings<br />
~ Ramadan Mubarak:<br />
Blessed Ramadan<br />
~ Ramadan Kareem:<br />
Generous Ramadan
Who is Excused from Fasting?<br />
~ Who Should Fast?<br />
~ One who reaches puberty<br />
~ Who are excused from fasting and must make up their fast after Ramadan?<br />
~ Long-Distant Traveler<br />
~ Pregnant and Nursing Women<br />
~ Menstruating Women<br />
~ Who are excused from fasting and do not need to make up their fast?<br />
However, they (or their guardians) are required to feed the poor and needy.<br />
~ Physically and Mentally Challenged<br />
~ Elderly
More Helpful <strong>Islam</strong>ic Definitions<br />
~ Adhan (Azan): Call to Prayer<br />
~ Fajr: Dawn Prayer<br />
~ Suhoor: Pre Dawn meal consumed before the Adhan for Fajr<br />
~ Maghrib: Sunset Prayer<br />
~ Iftar: “Break—fast”. The evening meal breaking the fast after the<br />
Adhan for Maghrib<br />
~ Ishaa: Night Prayer<br />
~ Taraweeh: Prayers made after Ishaa, preferred in congregation at the<br />
masjid (mosque)
Interpreting the Muslim Prayer Calendar<br />
Day Ramadan Gregoria<br />
n<br />
Fajr Sunrise Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha<br />
Wed 1 11/8 5:13 6:38 1:40 5:32 8:40 10:07<br />
Thu 2 12/8 5:15 6:39 1:40 5:31 8:39 10:05<br />
Fri 3 13/8 5:16 6:40 1:40 5:31 8:37 10:03<br />
Sat 4 14/8 5:17 6:41 1:39 5:30 8:36 10:01<br />
Sun 5 15/8 5:19 6:42 1:39 5:29 8:34 10:00<br />
Mon 6 16/8 5:20 6:43 1:39 5:29 8:33 9:58<br />
Tue 7 17/8 5:22 6:44 1:39 5:28 8:32 9:56<br />
Wed 8 18/8 5:23 6:45 1:39 5:27 8:30 9:54<br />
Thu 9 19/8 5:24 6:46 1:38 5:27 8:29 9:52<br />
Fri 10 20/8 5:26 6:47 1:38 5:26 8:27 9:50<br />
Sat 11 21/8 5:27 6:48 1:38 5:25 8:26 9:49<br />
Sun 12 22/8 5:28 6:49 1:38 5:24 8:24 9:47<br />
Mon 13 23/8 5:30 6:50 1:37 5:24 8:22 9:45<br />
Tue 14 24/8 5:31 6:51 1:37 5:23 8:21 9:43<br />
Wed 15 25/8 5:32 6:52 1:37 5:22 8:19 9:41<br />
Thu 16 26/8 5:34 6:54 1:36 5:21 8:18 9:39<br />
Fri 17 27/8 5:35 6:55 1:36 5:20 8:16 9:37<br />
Sat 18 28/8 5:36 6:56 1:36 5:19 8:14 9:35<br />
Sun 19 29/8 5:38 6:57 1:36 5:18 8:13 9:34<br />
Mon 20 30/8 5:39 6:58 1:35 5:17 8:11 9:32<br />
Tue 21 31/8 5:40 6:59 1:35 5:16 8:10 9:30<br />
Wed 22 1/9 5:41 7:00 1:35 5:15 8:08 9:28<br />
Thu 23 2/9 5:43 7:01 1:34 5:14 8:06 9:26<br />
Fri 24 3/9 5:44 7:02 1:34 5:13 8:05 9:24<br />
Sat 25 4/9 5:45 7:03 1:34 5:12 8:03 9:22<br />
Sun 26 5/9 5:46 7:04 1:33 5:11 8:01 9:20<br />
Mon 27 6/9 5:48 7:05 1:33 5:10 8:00 9:18<br />
Tue 28 7/9 5:49 7:06 1:33 5:09 7:58 9:16<br />
Wed 29 8/9 5:50 7:07 1:32 5:08 7:56 9:15<br />
Thu 30 9/9 5:51 7:08 1:32 5:07 7:54 9:13<br />
Calendar shown is for Ramadan 2010 Prayer Time Schedule<br />
~ Important Points for Prayer:<br />
• <strong>Muslims</strong> must cleanse themselves (wudu)<br />
before prayer (2 minutes).<br />
• <strong>Muslims</strong> must pray on a clean, quiet area<br />
(For example, on a prayer rug in the<br />
corner of their bedroom).<br />
• Typical Muslim prayer takes<br />
approximately 3 -15 minutes, depending<br />
which prayer it is.<br />
(The Recommended Night Ramadan<br />
(Taraweeh) prayers may take hours. This is<br />
not required ).<br />
~ Tips How to Interpret the Prayer Time Table<br />
(Specifically During Ramadan):<br />
• Suhoor (Pre Dawn meal before the fast must<br />
be completed before Fajr).<br />
• Fajr = Muslim’s dawn prayer when fasting<br />
begins.<br />
• Maghrib = Muslim’s sunset prayer when<br />
fasting ends.<br />
~ Recommended Calendar:<br />
~ http://islamicfinder.org<br />
(English version)
So, When Does Ramadan Begin?<br />
~ Ramadan is expected to<br />
begin August 11, 2010<br />
(God willing).<br />
~ Ramadan begins when the<br />
crescent moon is sighted.<br />
~ How do you know? Ask<br />
your local masjid (mosque)<br />
or any Muslim community.
Typical Day During Ramadan<br />
~ Suhoor<br />
Waking Up Before Sunrise (Fajr) to Have a PreDawn Meal.<br />
~ Fasting<br />
From Dawn to Sunset.<br />
~ Iftar<br />
“Break—fast”. The Evening Meal Breaking One’s Fast.<br />
~ Taraweeh<br />
Recommended Ramadan Prayers made after Ishaa.<br />
~ Time to Reflect by Reading Qur’an or Making Supplications<br />
(Du’a).
~ Your student will eat Suhoor<br />
(PreDawn Meal)<br />
~ Then, pray Fajr<br />
~ Possibly read Qur’an<br />
~ Return to sleep<br />
Typical Suhoor<br />
Getting up for suhoor will<br />
be around 4:15 am this<br />
year. (2010)
Recommended Foods<br />
~ Dates and Water ~<br />
~ Slow-digesting foods that last up to 8 hours. Slow-digesting foods<br />
are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats,<br />
millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc.<br />
(called complex carbohydrates).<br />
~ Fiber: Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole<br />
wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, marrow,<br />
spinach, and other herbs like the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit<br />
with skin, dried fruit, especially dried apricots, figs and prunes,<br />
almonds, etc.<br />
~ Well-balanced meals, containing foods from each food group, i.e.<br />
fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy<br />
products.
Not Recommended or Forbidden Foods<br />
~ Not Recommended Foods:<br />
~ Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour,<br />
etc. (called refined carbohydrates).<br />
~ Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause<br />
indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.<br />
~ Forbidden Foods<br />
~ Pork and Pork Products<br />
~ Alcohol<br />
~ Non-Halal Meat*<br />
*Halal meat is preferred, however, in a non-Muslim country where halal meat is not<br />
readily available, it is acceptable for a Muslim to say<br />
"Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) over the non-halal meat.
Tips for Making Suhoor Easier<br />
for You & Your Student<br />
~ Prepare food & set it out the night before.<br />
~ Quick & easy protein-rich foods include, cheese, olives, hard-boiled eggs,<br />
jam served with bread.<br />
~ Drinks: While some cultures like tea, it is preferred to drink rich fruit<br />
juices, milk and water.<br />
~ Religious Preference is to start & break one’s fast with water and dried<br />
dates.<br />
~ ASK ~ Your student may have some preferences that you can shop<br />
together & learn more about each other.<br />
~ It is not recommended that you try and surprise your student by guessing<br />
his/her favorite food because it can be expensive (buying from the world<br />
market section of your supermarket) and impractical if you don’t know<br />
how to prepare it, or worse he/she doesn’t like it.
Typical Ramadan Day<br />
Recommended Duties During The Day<br />
~ Fast<br />
~ Read & Recite the Qur’an<br />
~ Perform extra good deeds (such as volunteering)<br />
~ Give alms (Charity to the poor and needy)
Common Problems & Solutions<br />
~ Common Problems:<br />
~ Lethargy and being<br />
tired<br />
~ Periodic headache,<br />
constipation<br />
~ Low blood pressure,<br />
or gastritis<br />
~ Caffeine withdrawal<br />
~ Solutions:<br />
~ Encourage your<br />
student to partake in the<br />
recommended duties of<br />
the previous slide.<br />
~ Allow him/her to rest,<br />
and relax.<br />
~ Prepare iftar together &<br />
discuss the benefits of<br />
the pious act of fasting.<br />
(This is a very rewarding<br />
experience).<br />
~ Praise his/her efforts.
~ <strong>Muslims</strong> break their fast with<br />
water & dates or light food.<br />
~ It is recommended that one break<br />
their fast first, pray Maghrib and<br />
then have their main meal, so<br />
don’t be surprised if your<br />
student doesn’t run to the dinner<br />
table ;-)<br />
~ Don’t be alarmed if your student<br />
does not eat all of his/her meal<br />
immediately. A gradual approach<br />
is spiritually and biologically<br />
preferred.<br />
~ During your snacks & meals,<br />
please try not to eat in front of<br />
your student.<br />
Tips for Iftar<br />
Iftar will be approximately 8:45pm<br />
this year (2010). It is not expected<br />
that you would change your meal<br />
times for your student, but your<br />
company during their Iftar is<br />
appreciated.
Typical Taraweeh with Tips<br />
~ One may pray and recite<br />
Qur’an by themselves at<br />
home, however<br />
~ It is preferred at the masjid<br />
since many rewards are<br />
given to those who can<br />
pray in congregation.<br />
~ Tip: Encourage your<br />
student to pray Taraweeh<br />
in the masjid on weekend<br />
nights.
The Night of Power (Laylat-al-Qadr)<br />
& The Last Ten Days of Ramadan<br />
~ The Qur'an was first revealed to<br />
Prophet Muhammad, peace be<br />
upon him.<br />
~ It falls on one of the oddnumbered<br />
nights of the last ten<br />
days of the month (21st, 23rd,<br />
25th, or 27th of Ramadan).<br />
~ <strong>Muslims</strong> believe that worship on<br />
this night is more valuable than a<br />
thousand months.<br />
~ Therefore, many <strong>Muslims</strong> spend<br />
the entire last ten days in extra<br />
worship or retreat to the masjid.
Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of the Fast)<br />
~ Eid Greeting: Eid Mubarak<br />
(Blessed Festival)<br />
~ Once the crescent moon of Shawwal appears,<br />
Ramadan is completed & the Festival of the month<br />
of fasting (Eid ul-Fitr) begins.<br />
~ Typical events:<br />
~ <strong>Muslims</strong> observe Eid prayer which is performed in<br />
congregation after fajr but before dhuhr (mid-day<br />
prayer),<br />
~ <strong>Muslims</strong> wear their best clothes,<br />
~ Visit family & friends, and<br />
~ Enjoy a feast.<br />
~ In our house, we say<br />
“Eid = Festival or Feast: Food, Family, Friends & Fun!”
~ Eating or drinking out of<br />
forgetfulness is okay.<br />
~ “Our Lord! Punish us not<br />
if we forget or fall into<br />
error”[Qur’an 2:286]<br />
~ Fasting is still valid if one does<br />
not have Suhoor (PreDawn Meal).<br />
~ The Prophet (peace and<br />
blessings be upon him) said:<br />
“Have suhoor, for in suhoor<br />
there is blessing.” (Bukhari).<br />
Don’t Worry!<br />
~ Ramadan is a time for goodness,<br />
blessings, worship & obedience to God;<br />
yet, He is Most Merciful,<br />
~ “And march forth in the way (which leads to)<br />
forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the<br />
heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon (the<br />
pious).<br />
~Those who spend (in God’s Cause) in<br />
prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who<br />
pardon men; verily, God loves the good-doers.<br />
~And those who, when they have committed<br />
illegal sexual intercourse or wronged themselves with evil,<br />
remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins; — and<br />
none can forgive sins but God— and do not persist in what<br />
(wrong) they have done, while they know.<br />
~For such, the reward is forgiveness from their<br />
Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath<br />
Paradise, wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is<br />
this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds<br />
according to Allah’s Orders)” [Qu’ran 3:133-136]
Acknowledgements<br />
All praise and thanks belong to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May there be the blessings and peace upon the<br />
last Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions and all those to follow his footsteps. May Allah accept our<br />
work, such as this presentation, as a humble act of worship to please Him and Only Him. May He forgive us if we<br />
misrepresented anything in our deen (religion or way of life) and/or led anyone astray, as this was not our intention<br />
and any errors or faults are of our own, for You are Perfect, The Most Merciful, Most Beneficent. ~Ameen.<br />
May Allah reward Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad www.muslimeye.net/thebestoftimes and the<br />
Quran Study Group of Ilford www.QuranStudyGroup.org for their generous and timely input.<br />
Special Thanks to Val Virag and ACES www.ExploreTheWorld.org and<br />
Sanaa Nelson www.afsusa.org & www.yesprograms.org for providing us<br />
the opportunity to educate others about Our Blessed Month of Ramadan.<br />
Authors:<br />
~Nacema ElOrra, ACES Local Coordinator www.ExploreTheWorld.org &<br />
Contributor www.AmericanMuslimMom.com .<br />
~Ponn M. Sabra, Best-Selling Author & Founder/Owner www.AmericanMuslimMom.com .<br />
Email: ponn@americanmuslimmom.com<br />
~ http://www.AmericanMuslimMom.com is the number one blog community for American Muslim Moms<br />
That offers free tips, tools, reviews, and contests, to help raise pious Muslim Kids today.<br />
The majority of subscribers are non-<strong>Muslims</strong>, so come join us today!
References for Images Used<br />
Slide 1 Image 1 http://www.plus961.com/tag/ramadan/<br />
Slide 3 Image 1 http://alquran-alkareem.com/index.php?wp=5p<br />
Slide 6 Image 1 http://www.muhajabah.com/islamicblog/archives/veiled4allah/010920.php<br />
Slide 9 Image 1 http://islamicfinder.org/<br />
Slide 9 Image 2 http://islamicfinder.org/<br />
Slide 10 Image 1 http://www.examiner.com/x-11140-Portland-Holistic-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d18-Ramadan-Fasting-for-spiritual-reflection-and-renewal<br />
Slide 12 Image 1 http://www.ucsdakdphi.org/2009/07/<br />
Slide 13 Image 1 http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/potassium-superfoods-47020908<br />
Slide 13 Image 2 http://peacefulone.wordpress.com/2008/03/page/2/<br />
Slide 16 Image 1 http://chiditarod.ning.com/profile/Dev<br />
Slide 16 Image 2 http://www.jamiattalibat.org/pages/RamadanSpecialQuran.asp<br />
Slide 16 Image 3 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Allah_alone/message/2093<br />
Slide 18 Image 2 http://www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/ramadan_tips.asp<br />
Slide 19 Image 1 http://moomeen.blogspot.com/2008/08/taraweeh-prayernight-prayer.html<br />
Slide 20 Image 1 http://theguidinglight.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/eid-greetings/<br />
Slide 21 Image 1 http://alwaysindian.com/blog/category/entertainment/<br />
Slide 21 Image 2 http://sufinews.blogspot.com/2006/12/eid-al-adha-unity-is-dominant-theme-of.html<br />
Slide 21 Image 3 http://www.theage.com.au/national/celebrating-the-joy-of-islam-in-debney-park-20081001-4s1q.html<br />
Slide 21 Image 4 http://www.indianetzone.com/1/id-ul-fitr.htm<br />
Slide 23 Image 1 http://www.muslimeye.net/thebestoftimes/<br />
Slide 23 Image 2 http://www.exploretheworld.org/<br />
Slide 23 Image 3 http://www.afsusa.org/usa_en/home<br />
Slide 23 Image 4 http://www.yesprograms.org/<br />
Slide 23 Image 5 http://americanmuslimmom.com/