about ramadan

8/8/2019 About Ramadan

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About Ramadan

y What is Ramadan?

y Ramadan( also known as Ramazan) is the 9th

month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar -

that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 daysshorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere

y Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, takes place during the 9th

month of the Muslim Islamic lunar calendar.

y For more than a billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan month is a time of prayer, fasting, and

charity.

y During this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the

daylight hours.

y Ramadan marks the day the Koran was sent down from Heaven via the angel Gabriel to Prophet

Muhammad.

y Why this month?

y Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., the prophetMuhammad, peace be upon him, used to go out to the desert

near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) to think about faith, society and God.y One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who toldMuhammad he had

been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speakingthe verses that would be transcribed as the Quran.

y At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Quran is recited each night in prayers knownas Tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.

y

Why do Muslims fast?

y Muslims practice Sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun is up as well as making a special effort to avoid sins. Fasting is one

of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in Sawm fromabout age twelve.

y Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty,Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in

this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as

kinship with fellow believers.

y During Ramadan in theMuslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families getup early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a mealknown as Iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost

y

To allow for complete devotion to their faith, Muslims must abide by stringent rules from dawn until sunset for theentire month. Eating, drinking, smoking are strictly forbidden during daylight. In addition, Muslims must show greater

sympathy for the needy and poor. Fasting plays a key role in accomplishing these goals by allowing for greater concentration on the spiritual, generating empathy for the hungry and cleansing the body of overindulgence.

At the end of each day, Muslims break their fast with a meal called the iftar. Following the custom of ProphetMuhammad, the fast is often broken with dates, then followed by a prayer and dinner. Muslims also generally have apre-fast meal, called the suhoor, which occurs before dawn.The evening of the 23rd day of the month, or Laylat-al-Qadr ("the Night of Decree"), is a very special day in which allsins are forgiven and any act returned multi-fold. This night is believed to be the one on which Muhammad firstreceived the revelation of the Holy Koran.The day after Ramadan ends, Muslims celebrate a holiday called Id-al-Fitr, a three-day "Feast of Fast Breaking."During this time, gifts are exchanged, large meals consumed, and the company of family and friends enjoyed.



How does Ramadan end?

Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2003 occurs on November 26. Literally the "Festival of

Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj,

or pilgrimage toMecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and

decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important inIslam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated

to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to Mosques.

Happy Ramadan!

Islam uses a lunar calendar-that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar

calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In

2010, Ramadan begins at sundown on August 10.

The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink,

but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make

peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially

to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" -

and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained.The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip.The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things.The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it.The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words.The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit

of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.

Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., a trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi

Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, whotold Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad foundhimself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.

At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have

been recited.

Fasting

Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may

eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all ableMuslims take part in sawm from about

age twelve



Families get up early for suhoor , a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar . Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a

quick energy boost.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty,Muslims are reminded of the

suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comesfrom spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

Eid al-Fitr

Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2010 occurs on September 9. Literally

the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamiccelebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage toMecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress

in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, andenjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are

always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the monthdraws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making

contributions to mosques.

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr

At the end of the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world enjoy a 3-day holiday known as"Eid al-Fitr" (Festival of Fast-Breaking).

about ramadan

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