The month of Ramadhaan is said to be the "spring season" of the Islamic calendar for over one billion Muslims across the globe. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. It is a month marked by blessings, fasting and charity.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The others are: belief & testimony in The One God and that the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is the servant and final messenger of God (Shahaadah); prayer (Salah) - five times a day at its appointed times; alms -giving (Zakaat) – approx. 2.5% of fixed assets annually; and pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah tul mukarrama at least once in a lifetime if you can afford it.
Ramadhaan has many benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Ramadhaan is also a time for giving charity, purifying one's behavior,doing good deeds, reciting excessive quraan and being engrossed in the worship of God Almighty.
Fasting is also a way of sympathizing with the poor and those who are less fortunate than we are. It conditions us to be thankful and to appreciate all the numerous bounties and blessings that God Almighty has bestowed upon us.Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
Whilst voluntary fasting is recommended for Muslims throughout the year, during Ramadhaan fasting becomes obligatory. Sick people, travelers, pregnant and menstruating women are exempted from fasting but are required to fast at a later stage when they are able to do so, health permitting of course.
The start of the month is based on a combination of physical sightings of the moon and astronomical calculations. The practice varies from place to place, some places relying heavily on sighting reports and others totally on calculations. In Saudi Arabia and South Africa, all muslim communities follow the decision of the local Islamic organizations, which accepts bonafide sightings of the new moon anywhere within the country as the start of the new month. The end of the month, marked by the celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr is similarly determined.
Fasting commences at the break of dawn and ceases at sun set. During the day, Muslims totally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations. The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post/break-fast meal (fatoor) after sunset.
Islam follows a lunar calendar which means that the months of the year are measured according to the revolutions of the moon around the earth (each month begins with the sighting of the new moon).
Thus, since Ramadhaan begins on August 1st or 2nd this year, the next year it will begin around July 20th and so forth. The entire cycle takes around 35 years. In this way, the length of the day, and thus the fasting period, varies in length from place to place over the years. Every Muslim, no matter where he or she lives, will see an average Ramadhan day of approximately 13.5 hours.
All Muslims try getting closer to God Almighty during the last ten days of Ramadhaan by engaging in good deeds as these ten days are considered to be a period and a time of tremendous spiritual power.The night on which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (saw), known as the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr), is generally taken to be the 27th night of the month. The Qur'an states that this night is better than a thousand months. Therefore many Muslims spend the entire night in prayer or engaging in the recitation of the holy Quraan.
Muslims use many phrases in various languages to congratulate one another for the completion of the obligation of fasting and the 'Eid-ul-Fitr festival. Here is a sampling of them:
"Kullu aam wa antum bi-khair insha Allah" (May you be well throughout the year God willing) - Arabic
"Elveda, ey Ramazan" (Farewell, O Ramadhan) - Turkish
"'Eid mubarak (A Blessed 'Eid)" - universal
On a more personal note, the best Ramadhaan that I have ever experienced was certainly here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Two years ago my family and I spent a total of five weeks between the cities of Makkah and Medina during the holy month of Ramadhaan. It was definitely a dream come true.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The others are: belief & testimony in The One God and that the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) is the servant and final messenger of God (Shahaadah); prayer (Salah) - five times a day at its appointed times; alms -giving (Zakaat) – approx. 2.5% of fixed assets annually; and pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah tul mukarrama at least once in a lifetime if you can afford it.Ramadhaan has many benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Ramadhaan is also a time for giving charity, purifying one's behavior,doing good deeds, reciting excessive quraan and being engrossed in the worship of God Almighty.
Fasting is also a way of sympathizing with the poor and those who are less fortunate than we are. It conditions us to be thankful and to appreciate all the numerous bounties and blessings that God Almighty has bestowed upon us.Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
When the fast ends (the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar –Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called 'Eid-ul-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and also to partake in a variety of meals.
Whilst voluntary fasting is recommended for Muslims throughout the year, during Ramadhaan fasting becomes obligatory. Sick people, travelers, pregnant and menstruating women are exempted from fasting but are required to fast at a later stage when they are able to do so, health permitting of course.The start of the month is based on a combination of physical sightings of the moon and astronomical calculations. The practice varies from place to place, some places relying heavily on sighting reports and others totally on calculations. In Saudi Arabia and South Africa, all muslim communities follow the decision of the local Islamic organizations, which accepts bonafide sightings of the new moon anywhere within the country as the start of the new month. The end of the month, marked by the celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr is similarly determined.
Fasting commences at the break of dawn and ceases at sun set. During the day, Muslims totally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations. The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post/break-fast meal (fatoor) after sunset.
Islam follows a lunar calendar which means that the months of the year are measured according to the revolutions of the moon around the earth (each month begins with the sighting of the new moon).
Because the Islamic lunar calendar (hijri) is approximately 11 days shorter than the solar or Gregorian calendar, Islamic holidays "move" each year.
This lunar calendar gives every month an opportunity of rotating through every season completing a cycle in which every month does not exceed 29 or 30 days.
This lunar calendar gives every month an opportunity of rotating through every season completing a cycle in which every month does not exceed 29 or 30 days.
Thus, since Ramadhaan begins on August 1st or 2nd this year, the next year it will begin around July 20th and so forth. The entire cycle takes around 35 years. In this way, the length of the day, and thus the fasting period, varies in length from place to place over the years. Every Muslim, no matter where he or she lives, will see an average Ramadhan day of approximately 13.5 hours.
One may eat and drink at any time during the night "until you can plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight: then keep the fast until night." [2:187]
The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things –the telling of a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind their back, a false oath, greed or covetousness.
These are considered offensive at all times, but are most offensive during the Fast of Ramadhan.
All Muslims try getting closer to God Almighty during the last ten days of Ramadhaan by engaging in good deeds as these ten days are considered to be a period and a time of tremendous spiritual power.The night on which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (saw), known as the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr), is generally taken to be the 27th night of the month. The Qur'an states that this night is better than a thousand months. Therefore many Muslims spend the entire night in prayer or engaging in the recitation of the holy Quraan.
Ramadhaan is also known as the 'month of the Quraan', as it is during this month that the Holy Quraan was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (saw).During this month Huffath (Muslims who have memorized the entire Holy Quraan) recite chapters of the Quraan, on a daily basis during the taraweeh prayers which usually occurs after the compulsory Esha prayers, which is approximately an hour and a half after sunset, for the duration of the month (approx. 30 consecutive days), until they have completed the Quraan in its entirety.Muslims believe this is one of the ways in which the Quraan has remained intact since revelation more than 1400 years ago.
It is a common practice for Muslims to break their fast at sunset with dates and water, following the custom of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This is followed by the sunset prayer, which is followed by fatoor. Since Ramadhaan emphasizes community aspects and since everyone eats iftar at the same time, Muslims often invite one another to partake in the Ramadhaan evening meal. Some Muslims find that they eat less when breaking their fast during Ramadhaan than at other times due to stomach contraction. Since Ramadhaan is considered to be an auspicious month in the Islamic calendar, special meals and savouries are also prepared during this month like Samboosas coupled with an assortment of home made beverages and desserts.
It is a common practice for Muslims to break their fast at sunset with dates and water, following the custom of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This is followed by the sunset prayer, which is followed by fatoor. Since Ramadhaan emphasizes community aspects and since everyone eats iftar at the same time, Muslims often invite one another to partake in the Ramadhaan evening meal. Some Muslims find that they eat less when breaking their fast during Ramadhaan than at other times due to stomach contraction. Since Ramadhaan is considered to be an auspicious month in the Islamic calendar, special meals and savouries are also prepared during this month like Samboosas coupled with an assortment of home made beverages and desserts.
Muslims use many phrases in various languages to congratulate one another for the completion of the obligation of fasting and the 'Eid-ul-Fitr festival. Here is a sampling of them:
"Kullu aam wa antum bi-khair insha Allah" (May you be well throughout the year God willing) - Arabic
"Elveda, ey Ramazan" (Farewell, O Ramadhan) - Turkish
"'Eid mubarak (A Blessed 'Eid)" - universal
On a more personal note, the best Ramadhaan that I have ever experienced was certainly here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Two years ago my family and I spent a total of five weeks between the cities of Makkah and Medina during the holy month of Ramadhaan. It was definitely a dream come true.
Thousands of Muslims breaking their fast together, little children pulling you by the hand to join their families in breaking the fast and partaking in their meals and almost more than a million people praying together in unison submitting to One Divine God was simply a moment that I will never forget. The atmosphere here in the Kingdom during the month of Ramadhaan is electrifying.Usually all Muslim staff only work for 6 hours each day. During the day you wouldn't really find people outside. Most people are indoors sleeping and just simply staying out of the scorching heat. Temperatures here can soar as high as 50 degrees during peak summer.As the sun sets and its time to break the fast the city comes alive again. Many Arab families would prefer breaking their fast in a restaurant or hotel that offers a special Ramadhaan buffet menu. I must say its quite fun sampling different cuisines especially when you in the company of really good friends and family.
I would now like to take this opportunity in wishing all my friends and family across the globe a wonderful Ramadhaan Kareem!!!May the Almighty accept your fast and prayers during this blessed month and may it also be a time for reflecting on our inner selves.Let this month be a month where we can all achieve and attain high levels of spirituality. Let this be a month of sharing, giving and a start towards bettering ourselves in every way. Let us all try making a concerted effort towards doing good, helping others and staying away from all activities that goes against Gods will.!!!
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