“O you who believes! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you. So that you may learn self-restraint. Quraan 2:183”
The holy month of Ramzaan or Ramadan is the most auspicious time of the year & is observed with full enthusiasm by the Muslims all over the world. It is celebrated by observing fast from sunrise to sunset, beginning from last night of month Sha’ban till the last night of month Ramzaan. It is obligatory for all Muslims, who are above the age of 12 yrs & not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic or menstruating to observe the fast. During the month, the practitioners refrain not only from food & drink but also from tobacco products, sexual relations, anger & sinful behavior, devoting themselves to prayers, charity & recitation of Quraan. This festival commemorates Muhammad’s first Quraanic revealation. It is said that in 610 CE, Prophet Muhammad had secluded himself in a cave at the top of Mount Hira (aka Mount Noor) near Mecca, as he did every year, when Archangel Gabriel appeared to him & revealed the first verse of the Quraan. The annual observance of Ramzaan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam & lasts for 29-30 days depending upon the sighting of Crescent Moon.
This festival highlights & advocates the spirit of sharing & helping the needy & remembering God by distancing oneself from the earthly pleasures by excercising great control & leading a simple lifestyle dedicated to devotion of Allah. It is a time to give back to the community & help others as per the individuals capability. Mosques host large iftaars, especially for the poor & unprivileged & organise nightly prayers during the month. Practitioners carry out charity & give donations for great causes & to help people. A smallest good deed can have a huge impact in someone’s life. Even smiling at others, speaking kindly to them or giving a date fruit to anyone in need is also a form of charity. The fact that the history of Islaam began with the insistence upon knowledge of the self & the world is extremly significant. As per Islamist belief Allah created human biengs with an intellectual & spiritual capacity that they are mandated to use & develop. The intellect, together with the spirit, is a blessing & a form of mercy bestowed upon us by the god. It is also believed that the ‘Sawab’ (rewards) multiplies during the holy month & the practitioner gets seven times more ‘Sawab’ for every good deed. As is mentioned in Quraan “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain which grows seven spikes, with each spike having hundred grains. And Allah multiplies the reward for whoever he wills, for Allah is all Encompassing & Knowing”.
During the month, Muslims start their day with Suhoor or Sehri, which is predawn meal before the morning prayer, Fajr. During the day, they recite the Quraan & perform the prayers. In the evening, people feast on Iftaar, which is nightly meal that breaks the fast after the evening prayer, Maghrib. Usually, Muslims break their fast by eating dates & drinking water followed by a lavish meal. It is followed by special night prayers, known as Taraweeh. During the last 10 days of the month, intense prayers take place during Laylatul Qadr or the Night of Power, which is believed to be the holiest night of the year. The Laylatul Qadr may fall on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of the month. It is the commemoration of the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The end of Ramzaan is marked by Eid-Ul-Fitr, which is celebrated by Muslim community all over the world with great enthusiasm.
Ramzaan is a time not only for fasting, but also for deep reflection & contemplation, in addition to ritual & gatherings. Besides being a deeply religious month, where people pray more than usual & attend religious study circles, Ramzaan, is usually a festive time too. Large gatherings for prayers as well as for Iftaars are organized. It is full of happy reunions with family, friends, fellow believers & loved ones. This festival preaches about bonhomie, mutual respect & co-existence amongst all human beings. It spreads a sense of responsibility towards the society, among all its practitioners & urge them to help each other despite religious & ethical differences. The holy month of Ramazan is a time for self-realization & improving oneself to become better human beings every year, by following the path of righteous path of Allah & contribute to the nation & society.
