FASTING
What daily event officially begins the fast?
True dawn (Fajr).
I move every year but remain in the same place in the Islamic calendar. What am I?
Ramadan. (or name any islamic month)
Why does Ramadan sometimes fall in winter in the U.S. but in summer in other years?
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and shifts each year.
What pillar(#) of Islam is fasting?
4th Pillar, Sawm.
What does the word “Qur’an” mean?
Recitation.
Which two groups are explicitly allowed in the Qur’an to postpone fasting?
The sick and the traveler.
I am broken without being touched. What am I?
A promise.
Why might Muslims in northern countries experience fasting times of 18–20 hours in summer?
Because daylight hours are extremely long.
In which Hijri year was fasting in Ramadan made obligatory?
2 AH.
Approximately how many years did revelation span?
About 23 years.
What is the difference between fidya and qada?
Qada = fasting later.
Fidya = feeding a poor person when unable to fast.
I will speak though I have no tongue. I will testify about what was done upon me. People walk on me daily without thought. What am I?
The Earth.
In countries close to the equator, why do fasting hours stay nearly the same length each year?
Because day and night lengths barely change near the equator.
Which major battle occurred in Ramadan in 2 AH?
The Battle of Badr.
On which night is the Qur’an described as being sent down?
Laylat al-Qadr
If someone intentionally breaks a Ramadan fast without a valid excuse, what two things are required?
Repentance and making up the fast.
Two people fast for the same hours. One gains immense reward; the other gains only hunger. What was the difference?
Sincerity/intention.
If Ramadan occurs in December, which hemisphere is likely experiencing longer fasting hours; north or south? Why?
The Southern Hemisphere (because it is summer there). (reasoning through seasons is accepted)
Approximately how many Muslims fought in the battle that took place in Ramadan in 2 AH?
About 313.
In Surah Al-Qadr, how many months is that night said to be better than?
One thousand months.
Complete the imagery in 2:187: fasting continues “until the _____ thread becomes clear from the _____ thread at dawn.”
The white thread from the black thread.
I am worship when done sincerely, but I become a sin when done to be seen. What am I?
An act of worship (like prayer or charity) done with insincere intention / showing off (riyā’).
If Ramadan rotates through all seasons approximately every 33 years, what does that tell us about the difference between the lunar and solar year lengths?
The lunar year is about 10–11 days shorter than the solar year.
Which Qur’anic surah discusses the rules of fasting in detail?
Surah Al-Baqarah.
Besides angels descending, who is specifically mentioned in Surah Al-Qadr as descending?
The Spirit (Ar-Ruh/Jibreel)