Ramadan 2024: Know Essential Practices For Observing Roza

The foundation of Islam rests on five main pillars, with Roza (fasting) being one of them. Therefore, fasting during the sacred month of Ramadan is mandatory for every Muslim.

Ramadan 2024: Repentance During Fasting - Essential Practices For Observing Roza

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Ramadan 2024: The month of Ramadan holds immense significance for the Muslim community. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It begins after the sighting of the moon on the last day of Sha'ban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, and Muslims observe fasts for 29 or 30 days thereafter. This year, the month of Ramadan will commence on Monday, March 11, 2024.

Five Pillars of Islam:

The holy book of Islam, the Quran, mentions five pillars or fundamental principles of Islam. Every Muslim worldwide is required to adhere to these principles. These five pillars of Islam are also known as Arkan-e-Islam or Arkan-e-Deen. The five pillars include Kalma (Declaration of Faith), Namaz (Prayer), Roza (Fasting), Zakat (Almsgiving), and Hajj (Pilgrimage).

Roza- the third pillar of Islam:

In Islam, Ramadan is considered a sacred month, and during this month, Muslims are commanded to observe fasting from dawn until dusk. Roza is regarded as the third pillar among the five pillars of Islam. During Roza, Muslims fast throughout the day, refraining from consuming any food or drink. However, fasting does not merely entail abstaining from food and drink from dawn until dusk. It also involves adhering to other strict rules as well.

According to the Quran, fasting is a means through which one can understand the pain of the poor and hungry. Therefore, along with fasting during the month of Ramadan, it is also essential to participate in charity. Moreover, fasting during Ramadan entails detaching oneself from worldly attachments and feeling closer to Allah.

Roza rules to follow during fasting :

• Observe fasting from sunrise to sunset and refrain from consuming anything during this period.
• Fasting is not just about staying hungry; it also includes fasting of the eyes, ears, and tongue. Therefore, repent from seeing, hearing, or speaking evil during fasting.
• Avoid engaging in physical intimacy or harbouring negative thoughts during fasting, as this may invalidate the fast.
• Refrain from lying, slandering, giving false testimony, backbiting, or taking false oaths during fasting.