The Three Principles of Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

The Three Principles of Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

The three principles of fasting in Ramadan are abstention, Tawheed (monotheism) and devotion. Without these three principles, the Muslim fasting has failed.
Ramadan is approaching and is a month of fasting required by all Muslims, except if they are sick or traveling. Whether doing a required fast in Ramadan or a voluntary fast, such as on the day of Arafat, Muslims follow the three principles of fasting. A Muslim cannot have a successful fast without following those three principles which include:

• Abstention: No food, intercourse, bad speaking, lying, stealing or fighting.
• Tawheed: The belief in One God, Allah as the sole provider of everything.
• Devotion: Loving Allah and the Prophet more than their self or loved ones.

What is Abstention in the Month of Ramadan?

Abstention or doing without means to go without many things not just food and water. Ramadan is a reminder to realize how it is to be poor and do without. Ramadan requires all Muslims to make sure that the neighbors have sufficient food and clothing. By abstention and following the three principles of fasting all Muslims are satisfied and happy in the Glorious month of Ramadan.

Abstention also includes not having intercourse or sexual relations with the spouse. Intercourse or sexual relations can be resumed after the fast is broken until the start of the fast the following morning, if desired. Before the fast can begun the next morning, a full bath must be taken by both husband and wife.

Muslims must also give up bad speech, both the watching and the hearing of forbidden subjects. Muslims fasting must not lie, steal, backbite, be guilty of scandal mongering and not smoke until the fast is broken. If the fasting Muslim makes a mistake in eating accidentally, asking forgiveness from Allah is acceptable and then resuming the fast. Having sexual relations during the fast nullifies the fast.

Tawheed – is the Main Principle of Fasting

Tawheed or monotheism is the belief that there is only one God and that the trinity does not exist. To even think or say that Jesus was the son of God is shirk (attributing partners to Allah) and is an unforgivable sin in Islam. Shirk is the only unforgivable sin and is worst than rape or murder.

Tawheed is part of the shahadah (declaration of faith) that is signed by all Muslim converts and is the main belief in the three principles of fasting in Ramadan. Without Tawheed, also translated as Tawhid and Tauheed, Muslims cannot exist in this world. Tawheed teaches the principle of destiny. Muslims must never question why such and such as happened, but merely accept that Allah has decided and He has done what He pleases.

Sustenance, health and children are all from Allah and believing in Allah’s mercy and wisdom is a must. So when considering the three principles of fasting, first consider Allah.

Devotion to Allah and Islam is the 3rd Principle of Fasting

In Islam Muslims must love Allah and His messenger, Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, more than their own life or loved ones. This means that what Allah wants is what the practicing Muslim wants. A woman convert to Islam must leave after three menstrual cycles if the non-Muslim husband will not convert.

When Allah has ordered Muslims to fast, the Muslim must fast. Praying five times a day is required, not a choice and giving zakat is also required. Loving Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, with every breath that there is also a must. This is why when Prophet Mohammad is insulted, the whole Muslim nation weeps.

Devotion includes worshiping Allah with praise and by reading the Glorious Quran. It is not easy to be Muslim in this day and time with the many requirements that a Muslim must do. The three principles of fasting were designed to increase faith and religious endurance for all believing and devout Muslims across the world.

The Three Principles of Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

To summarize the three principles, the Muslim fasting must be humbly devoted to Allah, the Creator and follow the rules of Islam. The reward for following the three principles of fasting, is jannah or heaven. It is a pleasure and a way to raise the status of the Muslim by following the three principles of fasting which are included in the principles of Islam.

The love of Allah will increase and so will the desire to be a better Muslim by sincere devotion and belief. The love and devotion to Islam will cause hopefully all sins to be removed and body is left clean and the soul is refreshed.

* Muslims invoke Allah’s blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.

SOURCE: Islamic-beliefs.suite101.com