liyam (Fasting the Month of Ramadhan)

The  month  of Rama/han (which  can  be  eith  er  29 or 30 days)  is
part of the Islamic lunar  y€ff,  which is eleven  days  shorter  than
the solar y€tr,  so Ramailhdn rotates  throughout  the seasons,  a
blessing  which insures  that  Muslims in neither  the  northern  nor
southern  hemispheres  will  permanently  be required to  fast for
longer  or  shorter hours or  in  hotter  or  colder  weather. From
dawn  to  sunset  during each  day  of  Ramadhan,  Muslims abstailt
from  eating,  drinking,  smoking  and  sexual  activities  in
obedience  to  All6tr's command;  and during the fast  one should
not exhibit  anger  or any  other  misbehaviour.  Those  who are  ill,
travelling,  elderly,  pregnant or  nursing mothers (if  there  is  a
risk  to  their  health or  their  babies')  are permitted to  break the
fast  and make up  an  equal number of  days later.  If  they  are
physically  unable  to  make up the fast,  they must feed a needy
person  for  every  day  missed  if  financially  able.  As they  conquer
the  influence  of  daily  habits  and  endure  hunger  and  thirst,
fasting  ffains  Muslims  in  practicing  obedience  to  Allah,
patience  in times  ofhardship  and  compassion  and  responsibility
toward the  poor. As a form  of  worship, fasting  becomes  a.v€ry
enriching experience  as  one  transcends  the  needs  of his material
component  and  cherishes  the  spiritual,  enabling  the
conscientious  Muslim  to deepen  his/her  relationship  with Allah.
The  month  is  a  period  of  spiritual  renewal and revitalisation,
similil  to  charging  one's batteries  for  the  rest  of  the  year.
Intensified  worship,  charity,  and  study  of  the 
Qw'An 
are
features  of this month.