1. Reason number 1, Allah has commanded us to fast:

Qur'aan 2:183
O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be righteous.

Qur'aan 2:185

Ramadaan is the month during which the Qur’aan was revealed, providing guidance for the people and clear evidences from the guidance, and gives the ability to differentiate (between truth and falsehood).  Those of you who witness this month shall fast during it.  Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days.  Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.

-We as Muslims receive an eminent amount of Spiritual blessings.

-As humans, living in the physical world, it is human nature to become a slave to the physical things this world has to offer, such as:  Food, Drinking Liquids, Sex, etc.   These are the things our physical body craves and in a sense, it becomes our god, replacing our Creator.   The Arabic word "Muslim" means "One Who Is Of Peace" or a "Peacemaker".   It is the nature of a Muslim to submit his entire will, in peace, to the will of Allah Most Glorified And Exalted.   This is the only way you are going to establish peace on earth (Al Islaam).   Fasting empowers the soul of man, it disciplines his soul and in tunes it with his physical body that thrives on the physical:  Eating Food, Drinking Liquids, Sex.

-It is human nature to become content and satisfied with the finer things of life that we may be blessed to have.   We tend to forget about others who are less fortunate.   Fasting will help humble you and bring compassion for the poor, the hungry and the needy.   Such compassion will stimulate you to help to rid the human family through out the world of this condition.

-Fasting is very spiritual; it draws the Muslim closer to his Creator, Allah.

-There are scientific medical benefits from fasting.   It is natural for the physical body to react to stress and illness.   In this state, poison rises to a high level.   Fasting lowers the level of poisons in the body, due to ill health and prevents others from entering the body.   Impurities hamper the functioning of the natural body processes.   Fasting restores our expanded stomachs to their normal sizes.   Fasting gives our kidneys a much needed rest, and reduces our weight by removing excessive and harmful fat.   Fasting as a cleansing agent, sharpens the functions of the organs.   Mental activity also increases and the senses become sharper.   Fasting not only will make you spiritually strong but it will make you physically strong.

As a cleaner of the blood, fasting aids in curing diabetes and heart ailments, high-blood pressure is reduced and intestinal, as well as nervous disorders, are held in check.  In decreasing the quantity of water in the body, blood and skin, fasting has also been cited by doctors active in ridding the body, of syphilis microbes.    Fasting is generally a natural medicine.   Fasting is a natural way designed by Allah to clean out the entire body.   So as you can see, not only do you receive moral, social, and spiritual benefits, you also receive scientific medical benefits.

2. We (Muslims) fast for a prescribed number of days which is either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon.

3. Do Muslims commit idol worship, by worshipping the celestial bodies in our Universe?   The answer to this ludicrous question is N0.   Islaam is a pure way of life; Islaam is a natural way of life.   Allah has commanded us to worship Him alone, and no objects:

Qur'aan 41:37
Among His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon.   Do not fall prostrate before the sun, nor the moon, and fall prostrate before Allah, who created them, if you truly worship Him alone.

It is Allah Most Glorified And Exalted who created the celestial bodies in all the Boundless Universes.   We as Muslims (Ones Of Peace) are in tune with nature, we are operating on a higher level of mathematics.   We use the celestial bodies in the Universe as timing devices (Qur'aan 6:96-97 ; 10:5 ; 2:189)

Qur'aan 6:96-97
96. He causes the morning to crack (as it dawns).    He made the night still.   He made the sun and the moon to serve as calculation devices.   Such is the design of the Almighty, the Omniscient.
97. He made the stars to guide you during darkness, on land and on sea.   We thus clarify the revelations for people who know.

Qur'aan 10:5
He is the One who rendered the sun luminescent, and the moon a light, and He designed its phases that you may learn to count the years and to calculate.   Allah did not create all this, without a specific purpose.   He explains the revelations for people who know.

4. From dawn until sunset, we fast by abstaining from eating food, drinking liquids, and having sexual intercourse with our wives.  Note after sunset and right before dawn Allah allows us to eat food, drink liquids, and have sexual intercourse with our wives.   When you break your fast, make sure that you do not break your fast while the sun is in the process of setting - like some undisciplined Muslims do.   You break your fast when the sun has completely set in other words when it is night.

Qur'aan 2:187
Permitted for you during the nights of fasting is sexual intercourse with your wives.  They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets.  Allah knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you.  Now, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what Allah has permitted for you.  You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn.  Then you shall fast until the night appears.  Do not have sex with them if you decide to retreat to the masjid.  These are Allah¡¦s laws; you shall not transgress them.  Allah thus clarifies His revelations for the people, so that they may be righteous.

5. Before I answer some common questions, I would like to open up with the following verse from the Holy Qur'aan which speaks for itself.

Qur'aan 17:36
You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself.    I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.

6. When someone is traveling, and his travels prevent him from fasting, what should this person do?    Well this person will either have to make up the days that he missed or feed one poor person for each day of breaking the fast.    Remember Allah has stated fasting is better for you; if you only knew.

Qur'aan 2:184
Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted.  Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast.  If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better.  But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.

7. If someone is sick or ill what should they do?   Break their fast or stop fasting and nurse their body back to health.   Then continue to fast and make up the days that you have missed after Ramadaan by either fasting or feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast.   Remember Allah has stated fasting is better for you; if you only knew.

Qur'aan 2:184
Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted.  Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast.  If one volunteers (more righteous works), it is better.  But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew.

8. What if I unintentionally eat something, did I commit a sin?   The answer is No, you did not commit a sin.   You see, Allah knows that we are conditioned to eat everyday, so there may be times we will accidentally eat something during Ramadaan (The Hot Month).    Under circumstances like this, you do not have to make up any days, because you were not conscious or aware of your actions.    Allah judges us on our intentions.    What you do is repent to Allah and ask for forgiveness (Qur¡¦aan 3:133, 135-136; 66:8; 33:35; 4:110; 4:106) and continue fasting.

Qur'aan 11:3
"You shall seek your Lord's forgiveness, then repent to Him.   He will then bless you generously for a predetermined period, and bestow His grace upon those who deserve it.   If you turn away, then I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day."

Qur'aan 2:286
Allah never burdens any soul beyond its means: to its credit is whatever it earns, and against it is whatever it commits.   "Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes.   Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done.   Our Lord, protect us from burdens that are heavy beyond our capacity, pardon us, and forgive us.   You are our Lord and Master, so grant us victory over the disbelieving people."

9. What if somebody intentionally eats something during the month of Ramadaan, are they committing a Sin?    The answer to this question is YES they are committing a sin because they are conscious or aware of their actions, thus they are doing this knowingly.   Remember Allah judges you on your intentions.   They are being defiant, and they are breaking the Laws and Commandments of The Creator, Allah.   Such act is a gross sin.   The person needs to repent to his Master (Allah) and ask for forgiveness, (Qur'aan 4:17; 6:54; 16:119) continue fasting, and make up the missed days after Ramadaan.

Qur'aan 4:17
Repentance is acceptable by Allah from those who fall in sin out of ignorance, and repent immediately thereafter.   Allah redeems them.  Allah is Omniscient, Most Wise.

Qur'aan 6:54
And when those who believe in Our revelations come to you, say,  "As Salaamu Alaykum.   Your Sustainer has decreed mercy as His attribute.   Thus, anyone among you who commits a transgression out of ignorance, and repents immediately thereafter and reforms, then He is Forgiving, Most Merciful."

10. Should young children fast?   The answer is NO young children should not fast because their bodies are young, their bodies are not mature or developed like an adult.    Children are at the stage where they are growing rapidly and they need food for nourishment.    Remember Allah has given us the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and we are responsible for using them (Qur'aan 17:36).

11. Should women fast when they are on their menstruation?    Be aware because many ignorant religious leaders teach in Islaam and Christianity that women are unclean or impure during this state.    Most men oppress their women in religion through their foolish teachings; thus this is a travesty in religion.   It is Allah who precisely created human beings:

Qur'aan 32:7
He perfected everything He created, and started the creation of man from clay.

Qur'aan 54:49
Everything We created is precisely measured.

Qur'aan 95:4
We created man in the best design.

Menstruation is a natural function of the woman¡¦s body-designed by Allah, Himself, so the woman, herself, could not be unclean or impure.   The reason why woman should not fast while she is on her menstruation is because of health or medical reasons.   Fasting during this time could create medical or health problems for some women, thus some women may lose a lot of Iron, which could result in iron-deficiency anemia or it may be of some other medical reason why they choose not to fast.  However, there may be women who could fast while they are still on their menstruations and if they can fast without health or medical problems, then Alhamdulillah, they should be fine if they choose to fast. I must highlight that the Qur'aan has not directly answered this question and probably because it is a relative situation for each individual and woman should have the right to choose whether they want to fast or not during this period of their menstruation and I'm sure such decision will be highly based on their health or medical situation or condition.  Remember if you choose to stop fasting when you are on your menstruation and when your menstruation is over, you have to continue fasting and make up the missing days after Ramadaan.

12. Should pregnant women fast?    The answer is definitely NO.   Remember not only does she have to nourish herself, she also has to nourish another life, so if she fasts, abstaining from eating and drinking she can cause harm to her and the babies health.   It will not be a sin for her not to fast, nor will she have to make up any days.    Allah, The Originator of the galactic heavens and the planet earth realizes her condition.

13. After a woman has her baby, is she required to fast?   The answer is NO, she still has to keep her body nourished and healthy, not only for herself but also she has to be healthy to nourish her new-born baby.    Again Allah who is The Most Gracious, Most Merciful will be understanding of her situation, and neither will she have to make up the fast.

14. Do you have to read the entire Qur'aan during the month of Ramadaan?   Before I directly answer this question I would like to lay down a foundation for you to understand my answer.   You see Allah tells us that the Qur'aan is complete, perfect, fully detailed and that it explains all things (Qur'aan 6:114-115 ; 16:89 ; 6:38 ; 12:111):

Qur'aan 6:114-115
114. Shall I seek other than Allah as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed?    Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully.   You shall not harbor any doubt.
115. The word of your Lord is complete, in truth and justice.   Nothing shall abrogate His words.   He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

Qur'aan 16:89
The day will come when we raise from every community a witness, and bring you as a witness for these people.   We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations for everything, and guidance, and mercy, and good news for the Muslims.

Qur'aan 6:38
All the creatures on the planet earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you.    We did not leave anything out of this book.   To their Lord, all creatures will be summoned.


Qur'aan 12:111
In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence.   This is not a fabricated Hadiyth; this (Qur'aan) confirms all previous scriptures, and provides the details of everything.   It is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.

As we can see, Allah, (not I) have stated that His Book (Qur'aan) is complete, perfect, fully detailed and that it explains all things.   Thus we can now logically conclude that everything that we need to know about Islaam or how to live Islaam is recorded in the Holy Qur'aan.   Anything that is not found in the Qur'aan, we have to dismiss as man-made innovations.   You see I pointed this out because there is not one verse found in the Holy Qur'aan that tells the Muslim to read the entire Qur'aan during the month of Ramadaan.   Remember the Qur'aan consists of 114 chapters and over 6000 verses and you will not find one commandment in the Qur'aan to do this; this is a challenge!   So-called Sunni Muslims got this teaching from hadiyths not the Qur'aan.   Sunni Muslims are blind to the fact that Allah has condemned hadiyth in the Holy Qur'aan because these so-called Pale Arabs (Qur'aan 9:97) are mistranslating the Qur'aan to conceal this fact. You do not have to take my words for it all you have to do is verify the word hadiyth in the Arabic text of the Qur'aan yourself.    I have provided a link to help you out in your process of verifying this FACT:

http://www.freewebs.com/tawhiyd/hadiythexposed.htm

Prophet Muhammad would not have uttered any other source, revelation, teachings besides the Holy Qur'aan.

Qur'aan 69:44-47
44. Had he uttered any other teachings.
45. We would have punished him.
46. We would have stopped the revelations to him.
47. None of you could have helped him.

Allah has told us many times in the Holy Qur'aan that He has not placed any hardship or difficulty on us in Islaam.   But ignorant men are trying to make the practice of Islaam difficult by legislating teachings and commandments from Hadiyths which is condemned by Allah in the Qur'aan.   This is the trick of Shaytaan.

Qur'aan 2:185
......Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations.....

Qur'aan 22:78
.......He has chosen you and placed no hardship on you in practicing your way of life (Islaam) - the religion of your father Abraham.....

Qur'aan 5:6
.......Allah does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.....

Muslims are supposed to read the Qur'aan, recite the Qur'aan, not only in the month of Ramadaan - but every month, everyday of his or her life if the situation permits it.    The Holy Qur'aan is Allah's Words, this is how He speaks to us.    But I'm sorry Sunnis, there is not one verse in the Qur'aan that states that we have to read the entire Qur'aan during the month of Ramadaan.

Qur'aan 73:20
Your Lord knows that you meditate during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you.   Allah has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you can not always do this.    He has pardoned you.   Instead, you shall read what you can of the Qur'aan.   He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of Allah's provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of Allah.   You shall read what you can of it, and observe the salaat, give zakaat, and lend Allah a loan of righteousness.   Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at Allah far better and generously rewarded.  And implore Allah for forgiveness.  Allah is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

Qur'aan 35:29
Surely, those who recite the book of Allah, observe the salaat, and from Our provisions to them they spend secretly and publicly, are engaged in an enterprise that never fails.

15. When you break a day, do you have to make up the whole 30 days or just the days missed?   There may be circumstances, beyond your control, that may not permit you to fast, straight through Ramadaan.   Thus, if this occurs, break your fast.  You will not be committing a sin.    What you do is handle and correct your situation and continue fasting.   After Ramadaan make up the days that you have missed only, (Qur'aan 2:184) not the whole 30 days.   Remember Allah said that He does not wish to place any hardship or difficulty on us (Qur'aan 2:185 ; 22:78 ; 5:6).   It will only become a sin if you don¡¦t make up the days - or if you intentionally break your fast.

16. What if a male or female Muslim has a sexual dream?   Dreams are beyond human beings' control; thus you have not committed a sin.   Continue to fast and you do not have to make up any days.

17. What if a male or female Muslim has a sexual dream and has an orgasm, climax or an ejaculation?   Again the Dream-and the body functioning in this state-is beyond your control.   Thus you have not committed any sin; continue fasting and you do not have to make up any days.   But make sure you take a bath before your next Salaat so that you can be clean and pure before the presence of your Lord (Qur'aan 5:6;4:43).

18. Is it OK to chew gum or use certs during Ramadaan?   The answer is NO.   If you chew gum or use certs, you are violating your fast.   This is haram (unlawful).

19. What if somebody that has a genetic or a physical disorder which will cause harm to him or her self if they fast during the month of Ramadaan.   What shall he or she do?    This person should not fast, thus he or she would not be committing a sin.   Allah who is Most Gracious, Most Merciful is an understanding and a compassionate Creator.   He (Allah) would not punish the individual because he or she has some impairment or disorder that will cause harm them if they fast.   So the person should not worry about fasting, he or she will still receive the blessings from Allah.

As Salaamu Alaykum to all and Ramadaan Kariym