6 things you need to know about fasting during Ramadan.

Fast is not obligatory on a person whose body cannot tolerate fasting, either due to old age or because of severe illness. Fasting is also not obligatory on the mensurating women (infact it is unlawful for them to fast). A pregnant women is allowed to escape fasts if she fears that it would harm her or her baby. The one who is travelling a distance of two or more walking days is allowed not to fast. The child is not obligated to fast (until he/she is 7 years). Fasting is also not obligatory on the insane person.

One must abstain from sexual intercourse and should avoid masturbating during the day of fasting. One should also avoid watching pornographic movies and reading sexy literatures. The fasting person must not hold grudges or indulge in fighting with people. The person must try to avoid and increase patience and tolerance. Also, the fasting person must try avoid taking into his body cavity his own saliva. It is desirable for the fasting person to refrain from evil and sinful deeds as well as thoughts so that the true purpose of fasting is achieved.

One should try to earn maximum blessings and rewards in this Holy month by reciting the Quran daily. A major aspect is being charitable to others, one should try to increase his rewards for prayers in this month by indulging himself in Nawafil Prayers. Also, Taraveeh is another Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH) which should be observed on regular basis after the mandatory Isha prayer. Also, one should try to avoid overeating at the iftars, and must try to start with dates and some liquids, and save one's main meal for later in the night.

The fasting person should not become insane, not even for a moment during the fasting day. If a person loses his sanity even for a moment during the fasting day, this would invalidate his fast. Also, he should not lose his consciousness during the entire fasting day, i.e. from dawn until sunset. It should be noted that sleeping does not invalidate the fast, even if one slept all day long.

Each night, one must make the intention to fast the following day. Making the intention at night to fast the following day means to have the intention to fast in one's heart during the night preceding the fasting day, i.e. after the sunset and before the dawn of the following day. This must be done each night for the following day. The intention is in the heart and does not have to be uttered with the tongue.

When the door to one act of worship is not facilitated, we turn to the other opportunities that are available for us. If you're among a group of people who are exempted from fasting (as mentioned above) there is still something to be gained. Feeding the poor on the days one is unable to fast is a highly recommended act. One can help and assist those who are fasting, donate charity, recite Qur'an and offering extra prayers.

In this great blessed month of Ramadan, our deeds are multiplied and the opportunities to draw close to Allah are magnified. Lets reap the fullest benefits of this sacred month.

May your Ramadan be full of benefit and proximity to Allah. May Allah give you well being and health.

Ramadan Mubarak readers!