Ramadan in the month of mercy, in which all the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of hellfire are shut and Satan is chained up so he cannot carry out his evil anymore on this earth. This month is an opportunity for all people to cleanse themselves of all the handiwork which Satan carried out in the whole year on them. The effects of his evil works may last and still be seen in this month (thus you still see evil being carried out by many), but when a person fasts with sincerity and devotion, they emerge from this month shining like a sparkling diamond clean from sin. And Satan sits in chains watching all his work being put to waste. Satan is an avowed enemy to mankind and does not spare any means to destroy mankind. Satan has lost all hope and is too arrogant to ever turn back towards God in repentance, he is the accursed one. However for mankind Allah has provided many means to seek refuge from Satan, and one of the greatest of moments is the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Why do we fast?

In The Quran Allah made fasting in the month of Ramadan compulsory for all Muslims by addressing humanity in the following glorious words,

	Al-Quran, Chapter 2 Al-Baqara, Verse 183-187
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew. Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting but if anyone is ill or on a journey the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. When my servants ask thee concerning Me I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way. Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives. They are your garments. And ye are their garments. Allah knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves; but He turned to you and forgave you; so now associate with them and seek what Allah hath ordained for you and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears; but do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits (set by) Allah; approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men that they may learn self-restraint.

Who is required to fast and who is exempt?

The above verses show that all Muslim male and females who are of the age of accountability (age of puberty) must begin to observe fasting. Exemptions are made for the ill and those who may be on a journey. Apart from this exemptions are also made for pregnant women as well as women who may be mensurating. However even all of these people are required to 'make up' for missed fasts by either keeping fasts after the month of Ramadan is over or by feeding the poor. Note: Fasting on the days of Eid is Haram and must not be done under any circumstances! Eid is the day of rewards for Muslims, and the only one who fasts that day is the Shaitan (to show his rebellion against Allah)

Fasting is an obligatory duty for every Muslim who is mature, sane and a non-traveler.

The disbeliever is not required to fast and in case of embracing Islam he isn’t required to make up the prior fast he missed.

The youngster who is under age is not required to fast but he should be guided do so in order be accustomed to doing it.

The insane isn’t required to fast or to feed even if he is of age. The same thing goes for the mentally deficient and old senile people.

The disabled person who cannot fast because of permanent reasons such as senility or sickness. Such people have to feed an indigent every day during the month of Ramadan.

The patient who has a temporary benign disease and it is hard for him to fast, he is not required to fast but he must fast those days after recovery.

The pregnant and wet nurse (foster mother) are not required to fast if it is hard for them to fast because of pregnancy or fosterage or fear of harming their children, but they should fast these days after child birth or child bed.

The menstruating women and those suffering from post-natal bleeding are not allowed to fast and must make up the days missed.

A person, who is facing a necessity of breaking his fast in order to rescue another Muslim from drowning or burning can break his fast but he must fast the day he missed later.

A traveler can either fast or not, but he should make up the days he misses whether his travel is temporary such as performing “Umra”, or permanent such as transit truck drivers. So, they have the choice of fasting or not fasting since they are still outside residence.

Common errors made during Ramadhan

Excessive spending: Ramadan should be a time to avoid being wasteful, and learning to be prepared in facing harder times by distinguishing the needs from the luxuries. Unfortunately, many people go beyond their limits to spend during Ramadan. Whether in the varieties of food that they savor each night, or by the other types of spending.

Staying awake during the night and sleeping during the day: Some people sleep during most of the day when they are fasting. Ramadan is not a time of being lazy, and this do not allow the full benefit from the experience of fasting. It is as if they have only inverted their nights into days and vice versa. In addition, some may spend a great portion of the night indulging in eating and drinking and socializing

Spending more time in socializing: Because people invite each other more often during Ramadan they do tend to spend more time socializing with friends, and relatives. While it is a good deed to feed the fasting person, this should not result in precious time lost in vain talk. Use the occasion for remembering Allah and offering additional prayers, and for the Da'wah to Allah.

Insisting on performing a certain number of Rakaas during the Tarawih (night) prayer to the point of not praying behind the Imam and thus forfeiting the benefit of congregational prayer. This might also bring hatred and disagreement between the Muslims of one community.

Reading Qur'an too fast: Some insist on finishing the whole Qur'an once or more, even if they have to read very fast. Although reading the Qur'an many times is desirable, this should not be done hastily, especially during the Tarawih prayer without pondering upon its meaning. Allah said: "This is a Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its verses," (Saad 38:29), and the Prophet said: "Those who read the Qur'an in less than three days do not grasp [its meaning]"

Socializing in l'tikaf: Many people are eager to do I'tikaf but some confine themselves in the mosque not to pray and worship Allah but to talk and socialize.

The ways of doing good are numerous in Ramadan Many people try to perform more than they are able to. By going beyond their capabilities, they end up not performing any deed in the desired way.