The fast of Ramadan has both spiritual significance and physical effects. In addition to the basic requirements of the fast, there are additional and recommended practices in order to gain the most benefit from the experience.
Some of the practices are :
1.Helping Others During Ramadan
Ramadan is a special time of year -- a time when Muslims around the world take a step back from their daily routines and focus on community, charity, fasting, and prayer. Ibn Abbas described that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and even more so during the month of Ramadan. Here are some ideas of what you can do this month to help others.
A) Learn More about Islam
The first step is to learn more about the faith of Islam. Especially during these difficult times, it is ever important to develop understanding and firm knowledge of what Islam is and isn't. There are books and videos for all levels --introductions for those just learning about the faith, and in-depth studies. ,
Continues

B) Reach Out to Those Around You
Is there a family in your neighborhood that you haven't seen in a while? A student in a strange new city? A new Muslim who is fasting for the first time? An elderly couple who can't get to the mosque? Why not take a few minutes to make a phone call, drop in for a visit, or invite someone to iftar (dinner to break the daily fast). Even the smallest gesture of kindness can make a huge difference in someone's life.
C)Help Those in Need
All around the world, and even in your own backyard, there are people who are suffering from illness, hunger, or desperation. "Those who spend their wealth by night and day, in secret and in public, shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" (Qur'an 2:274). "By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give freely from that which you love. And whatever you give, Allah knows it well" (Qur'an 3:92).

D) Volunteer Your Time
Even more valuable than money is a gift of your time. Is your local mosque hosting iftar dinners? Why not help with the planning or clean-up? Is a local charity raising funds for humanitarian aid? Is there a local Islamic school that needs guest teachers? Find out what you can do to help.
E) Pray for Others
"When My servants ask thee about Me, I am indeed close to them. I respond to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way" (Qur'an 2:186). Most importantly, during this very special month, take the time to pray for others - your family, your loved ones, those who are ill, those who live in fear, those who go hungry, those who walk in darkness. May Allah guide all of us upon the straight path of faith, and help us to be filled with piety, patience, humility, and kindness.(amin)

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Saallaam Alaykun
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A Ramadhan Checklist

1. Ask Allah to enable you to reach Ramadan and to get the most out of it as the Salaf used to do.

2. Intend to fast every day with Iman and pure intention seeking the reward from Allah alone. The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever fasts in Ramadan with Iman and
seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven". (Bukhari)

3. Read the whole Qur'an at least once as the Prophet peace be upon him did.

4. Have Suhoor as the Prophet peace be upon him said, "Have Suhoor because it is blessed".

5. Make Du'a during the fast because the Prophet peace be upon him said that three people's supplication is not rejected one of them is the fasting person. Ask for the good
of this life and the next for yourself, your family and Muslims in general.

6. Make Dua before opening the fast. The Prophet peace be upon him said, "The fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he opens his fast".

7. Give Sadaqah and be good to people. The Prophet peace be upon him was the most generous of people and he was most generous in Ramadan.

8. Avoid anything that diminishes the fast such as, lying, backbiting, cheating, getting angry. The Prophet peace be upon him said "Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink." [Bukhari]

9. Do not eat too much after Iftar.

10. Ask for forgiveness since this is the month Allah frees people from the fire.

11. Pray At-Tarawih with Khushoo. If you pray in the Masjid complete the Salah with the Imam. If you pray at home prolong the Salah as long as you can. The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever prays during Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven".

12. Feed the poor and invite others for Iftar. The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever gives Iftar to someone fasting he will have the same reward without decreasing the reward of the person fasting".

13. Try harder the last ten nights especially the odd nights. The prophet would strive in Ramadan more than he would in any other month and more so in the last ten days.

14. Say this Dua in the nights that Laitul-Qadr is likely to fall on:Allhumma innaka afuwun tuhibbul-afwa fa'fu anni (O Allah you are Forgiving and love forgiveness so forgive me).

15. Ask Allah to accept all your good actions during this month.

RAMADHAN KAREEM

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Sa'dullah Khan

Why do Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan?

Muslims all over the world observe the annual fast during the daylight hours of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, in keeping with a divine commandment documented in Chapter 2, Verse 185 of the Holy Qur'an. Furthermore, Allah states, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed to those before you in order that you may attain taqwa" (Chapter 2, Verse 183). From this verse, we deduce that.
Fasting is prescribed for believers.
Fasting has historically been an institution commonly practiced by various religious communities (for example, during Lent by Christians and on Yom Kippur by Jews).
Fasting is a means to attaining taqwa.
Taqwa implies guarding one's self from evil and the imbibing of all elements of righteousness, thus reflecting the essence of piety. In its ethical dimension, it connotes moral rectitude (which is the fruit of God-oriented vigilance), and in its spiritual dimension it connotes purification of heart and mind.
Through fasting, one demonstrates the highest degree of obedience by willfully submitting to abstaining from lawful food, drink, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset one month every year. This regimentation is an excellent means for spiritual and moral improvement.

Through fasting, the human being comes to grip with his carnal self, taming his physical appetites, subduing his greed and lust, and thus traversing a path which progressively elevates his consciousness from the physical to the moral and ultimately to the spiritual dimension of his being. This consciousness and submission is in a cultivation of self-discipline and is the ideal catalyst to improve society by improving the individual self.

It is also by means of fasting that those who never have to hunger or thirst are (to some extent) made personally aware of the plight of the underprivileged, which thus evokes a degree of social consciousness. The aim of attaining taqwa is, in fact, that degree of ethical rectitude and moral elevation that flows from a heightened level of God-consciousness. It emanates from the spiritual rejuvenation inspired by the selfless act of fasting for Allah.

Q. Who should fast, and who does not have to?

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory for every mature (over the age of puberty), sane, and healthy Muslim.

Those not obliged to fast are the insane, mentally retarded, or chronically ill, and those under the age of puberty.

People undertaking a strenuous journey; women who are menstruating, experiencing post-natal discharges, or pregnant; people with a temporary illness; and those involved in extremely strenuous occupations (for example, a soldier in battle) may suspend their fasting. These people, however, have to make restitution (qada') by fasting for the number of days equal to those missed, any time before the next Ramadan.

Q. What invalidates the fast, and what does not?

The following renders the fast void: intentional consumption of food or drink, sexual relations, deliberate vomiting, ejaculation of semen, or the beginning of menstruation or post-natal bleeding.

The following do not break the fast: eating or drinking out of forgetfulness (provided that one stops as soon as one becomes aware of the error); brushing the teeth; rinsing the mouth and nostrils with water; applying eye powder, face cream, hair oil, or perfume; swallowing unavoidable things such as saliva, dust, or smoke from the air; bathing; unintentional vomiting; having an injection or intravenous line that is solely medicinal, not nutritional; and embracing one's spouse.

Q. What are Fidyah and It'am?

If a person is too old, too frail, or physically unable to fast the month of Ramadan, the person (according to the Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 184) is to "redeem" or "pay ransom" (fidyah) for each day of fasting missed by either feeding (it'am) a needy person or giving charity in the amount needed to feed a person for a day. A person who would normally be able to fast but for some reason was not able to fast during that Ramadan--for example, a lactating mother who suspended fasting in order to adequately breastfeed her baby--has to restitute by fasting the number of days missed as well as feed (it'am) one person (or donate the monetary equivalent) for each day of fasting that she has missed.

Q. What is Kaffaarah?

Kaffaraah means "atonement" or "expiation" and applies to one who deliberately breaks his fast during the fasting period. Such a transgression must be atoned for by fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 needy people or giving in charity the amount equal to the cost of feeding 60 needy people.

Q. Why is Laylat-ul-Qadr the most important night of the Islamic calendar?

Laylat-ul-Qadr (meaning the Night of Power) is the commemoration of the initiation of the final divine revelation, the Qur'an. This event, which is annually celebrated by Muslim in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan, occurred in the 40th year of the Prophet Muhammad's life, or 610 C.E. While he was meditating in the cave of Hira near Mecca, Muhammed received, through the Archangel Gabriel, the first of a series of revelations that were to continue for 23 years. The mission of the last emissary of God was thus inaugurated on Laylat-ul-Qadr in the month of Ramadan, which ushered in a new and final phase in human history.

In Chapter 97 of the Qur'an, titled "al-Qadr," it is stated that Laylat-ul-Qadr is grander than a thousand months. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said, "The month of Ramadan is a blessed month, a month in which Allah has made fasting obligatory. This month contains a night greater than a thousand months. Whosoever deprives himself of the blessings of that night truly denies himself tremendously." (An-Nisa'iee)

Many Muslims spend these nights in prayer, thanking Allah for His bounties and beseeching His forgiveness.
Q. What is the significance of Zakaat-ul-Fitr, on `Eid-ul-Fitr?

`Eid-ul-Fitr is the first day of Shawwal, which is the month that follows Ramadan. It is one of the two great festivals having full religious sanction in Islam. It is marked by congregational prayer accompanied by the continuous glorification of Allah. On `Eid-ul-Fitr, each family that can afford it is under divine obligation to provide a basic meal or its monetary equivalent to at least one needy person for each member of the family. This obligatory social-welfare tax, called zakaat-ul-fitr or sadaqat-ul-fitr, must be furnished to the poor before one prays the `Eid prayer.

The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that the acceptance of one's fast hovers between heaven and earth until one's charity has reached the poor. Thus it is that even on the day of celebration when all the delicious foods we refrained from eating during Ramadan are availed to us, our attention is drawn to serve the needy and the downtrodden. When we analyze Ramadan and the 'Eid that follows, we realize that the spirit of Ramadan is one of introspection, moral elevation, and self-purification, and the spirit of 'Eid-ul-Fitr is one of good will and humanitarianism.