Ramadan
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The fourth pillar of Islam which is fasting is practiced during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is derived from an an Arabic word for intense heat and sun-scorched ground. (in Arabic: رمضان, Ramaḍān) – or Ramzan in several countries – and it is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, established in the year 638. It is considered the most venerated, blessed and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year. Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month. God prescribes daily fasting for all able, adult Muslims during the whole month of Ramadan, beginning with the sighting of the new moon.
"Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therin. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation."[2:185]
According to the fuqaha — Islamic jurists and legislators — in 2006 the month of Ramadan (1427 AH) began on September 23 (Middle East, East Africa, North Africa and West Africa) and September 24 elsewhere (including Turkey, North America, Southeast Asia, and the rest of the Middle East). In Pakistan, excluding some parts of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), it was September 25. It lasted until October 22 or October 23.
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[edit] Practices during Ramadan
There are some variations regarding the time in which Ramadan's fasting takes place for different Muslims around the world. Since the festival is linked to the lunar calendar and the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, it would depend on which lunar sighting that individual recognizes. Everyday during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world break their fast at the same exact minute. This takes place at the same time as the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib.
[edit] Fasting
The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by most observant Muslims. The fasting during Ramadan has been so predominant in defining the month that some have been led to believe the name of this month, Ramadan, is the name of Islamic fasting, when in reality the Arabic term for fasting is Sawm.
===Proscriptions and prescriptions during Ramadan= During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam as well as refraining from anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, backstabbing, and gossip. They are encouraged to read the Qur'an. Sexual intercourse during fasting in the day is not allowed but is permissible after the fast (when referring to sexual intercourse, it is intended to mean with one's spouse alone, as all pre- and extra-marital relations are strictly forbidden in Islam). Obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, as well as sympathy for those who are less fortunate, intending to make Muslims more generous and charitable.
In addition to fasting, Sunni Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Special prayers, called ‘Tarawih’, are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (‘Juz', which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited, so that by the end of the month the entire Qur'an has been completed. Tarawih is an Arabic phrase referring to those extra prayers. This prayer is performed after salah of Isha'a. Sunnis believe it is customary to attempt a khatm (complete recitation) of the Qur'an in Ramadan by reciting at least one juz per night in Tarawih. These are done in remembrance of the fact that the revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad was begun during Ramadan.
Shia Muslims view this prayer as a Bid'ah and caution all to stay away from it. Instead of performing Tarawih, Shia Muslims perform the night prayer during Ramadhan just like any other night. This night prayer performed every night is called Salat al-Layl, better known as Tahajjud. [1]
[edit] Eid ul-Fitr
The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر) marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. Eid ul-Fitr means the Festival of Breaking the Fast, a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor (‘Zakat al-Fitr’), everyone put on their best, preferably new, clothes, and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. The prayer is two rakaahs only, and it is an optional prayer as opposed to the compulsory 5 daily prayers.
[edit] Six days of Shawwal
Muslims are encouraged to fast six days in ‘Shawwal’, the month following Ramadan beginning after Eid ul-Fitr. There are six days of fasting during Shawwal which, together with the Ramadan fasts, are equivalent to fasting "perpetually" (according to Sahih Muslim). Usually, this is taken to mean the whole year Islam online . It is a common misconception that the six days of fasting must be undertaken on consecutive days. It is said that fasting six days of Shawwal is like fasting for one full year. [1]
[edit] Ramadan during the long pole summer day
Going north to the pole circle interpretating the Quoran should by the believers be coming more difficult. Because not eating and drinking from dawn till sunset is of course impossible during the pole summer. Because the period of not eating and drinking should then take several months. Muslims say that the muslims there have to follow the times of a muslim country more southern.
[edit] References
- Fasting Laws: Laws Governing Fasting in Islam.
- Yusof, Mimi Syed & Hafeez, Shahrul (Oct. 30, 2005). "When Raya was a bewildering experience". New Straits Times, p. 8.
[edit] External links
- Supplications (Duas) for Ramadhan
- 'Ramadan' appearing in Sahih Bukhari at www.SearchTruth.com
- Ramadan from Encarta
- Ramadan (BBC Religion) with approximate dates and health advice
| Muslim holidays and observances | |||||||||||
| Muslim New Year | Remembrance of Muharram | Day of Ashura | Imamat Day | Arba'een | Mawlid | |||||||||||
| Imam Musa al Kazim day | Lailat al Miraj | Shab-e-baraat | Ramadan | Laylat al-Qadr | Eid ul-Fitr | Eid ul-Adha | |||||||||||
