Ramadan
The month of fasting called Ramadan is obligatory to a mature and healthy Muslim, both male and female.  It is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, between the month of the Shaban and Shawal.  

The month of Ramadan is created to guide man on the right path; to leave what is forbidden and concentrate on what the Almighty wants.  It is for the maintenance of the soul, forbids the body all the amusements from sunrise to sunset.  It is an obligation ordained by Allah in the Holy Quran and narrated in hadiths by Prophet Mouhammed (saws). Sura Baqara states in V.183:

“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) (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 of him.  And it is better for you that ye fast, If ye only knew.”

According to Prophet Mouhammed (saws), he stated in a hadith on the authority of Abu Abd Rahman Abdullah says, the son of Umar, “Islam has been built on five (pillars): “Islam has been built on five (pillars): testifying that there is no God by Allah and that Mouhammed is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakat, making the pilgrimage to the house and fasting.

The conditions for fasting are:
1.The sighting of the moon
2.The one fasting should be a Muslim
3.He should be matured
4.He should be healthy and sound

She should not be on her menstrual cycle or delivered a baby.
The one fasting must see the moon first before commencing.  The sighting of the moon should be on the 29th of Shaban to prepare for this holy month.  If a group of people said they have seen the moon, then there is no disagreement, it can be accepted.

If no one has seen it on the 29th day of Shaban, then fasting is not valid.  Some scholars said that if only one person who s well respected had seen it, then we can fast amongst these scholars Shafiyatou and Hanaabilatou.  It is based on these two hadiths: Narrated Ibnu Umar,” The people tried to sight the new moon and he informed the prophet (saws) that he had seen it, so he fasted and commanded the people to fast.”

Another hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas said: A bedouin came to the prophet (saws) and said,” I have seen the new moon (of Ramadan) he asked,” Do you testify that there is no God but Allah?  He replied yes.  He then asked, Do you testify that Mouhammed is Allah’s messenger?  He replied, yes I do.  He then said Bilal, announce to the people that they should fast tomorrow.”

Some other scholars said one person is not enough for the sighting of the moon.  It should be more than one.  Among them is Malikiyatou.

Some scholars also said when the weather is dark then if one person sees the moon it can be accepted but when it is clear, then one person is not enough.  Among them is Al Hanafiyatou.   Ramadan became obligatory in the month of Shaban the second year after hyra. The Prophet Mouhammed (saws) fasted for nine months.  Only one Ramadan month was fasted for 30 days, the rest were 29 days.

Narrated by Abdullah Bin Mmar, Allah’s messenger said: “The month (can be ) 29 nights (i.e days), and do not observe Saum (fast) till you see the crescent and if the sky is overcast, the complete (Shaban) as 30 days.”

A Sahaba called Abdullah Ibnu Masud said: “We fasting with Prophet Mouhammed (saws) more for 29 days, than we did for 30 days.

All the learned scholars agreed that a non-muslim should not fast during Ramadan.  
Man should be matured, and able to identify to be able to fast.  If not it is not an obligation either to pray or fast.  When the child is ten years and can do it without getting tied, then he can fast.  The age of maturity is 18 years.  The child should be encouraged to fast so that when he reaches the age of maturity, it would be easier.

The Prophet Mouhammed (saws) said: “If a child can fast three days without a break, then he should fast for the whole month” above mentioned to fast during this period, btu should repay for the days missed.  If these particular people do not eat or drink during this period, it will not be accepted.

Aisha, the Prophet’s wife said: “We used to have our periods during Prophet Mouhammed's time, then he would forbid us to fasting, after we paid for the days missed, but the prayers were not paid.”

If the woman starts mensuration after Fajr prayers, then she is forbidden to fast, also if the menstruation stops after Fajr, she should not fast on that day.  But she should not eat in public because of the holiness of this month, but she can eat indoors.

If the menstruation stops before Fajr, maybe about 30 minutes, then is the fasting accepted?  The scholars replied that if she has enough time to do the “Eynah” then she can fast for the following day.  May Allah give us good health to fast for the whole month.

To be cont’d.