Ramadan
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Month Number
Name Of Month Observed by Type Begins Ends Date Celebrations Observances Related to |
Ninth
Arabic Word "Ramadan", Mean Burn Muslims Muslim, Religious 1 Ramadan 29, or 30 Ramadan Variable (follows the Islamic lunar calendar) Communal Iftars Sawm (fasting), Zakat (almsgiving), Tarawih prayer, reading the Qur'an, Eid ul-Fitr, Laylat al-Qadr |
Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان) also written Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Quran was revealed.
Ramadan is the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset.Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality.Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله, translation: Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. The name came Arabic word "Ramadan",Mean Burn from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought figuratively to burn away all sins. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the lowest heaven during this month thus being prepared for gradual revelation by angel Gibril (Gabriel) to the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Furthermore, the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed.
Ramadan is the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset.Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality.Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله, translation: Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. The name came Arabic word "Ramadan",Mean Burn from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought figuratively to burn away all sins. Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the lowest heaven during this month thus being prepared for gradual revelation by angel Gibril (Gabriel) to the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Furthermore, the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed.
Timing
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year and contains no intercalation, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons.
Month of Ramadan in The View of Quran and Hadith
In The View of Quran
ALLAH said in Sura Al-Baqara, Ayat No 185
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّـهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّـهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
رمضان کا مہینہ جس میں قرآن اترا لوگوں کے لئے ہدایت اور رہنمائی اور فیصلہ کی روشن باتیں تو تم میں جو کوئی یہ مہینہ پائے، ضرور اس کے روزے رکھے اور جو بیمار یا سفر میں ہو تو اتنے روزے اور دنوں میں اللہ تم پر آسانی چاہتا ہے اور تم پر دشواری نہیں چاہتا اور اس لئے کہ تم گنتی پوری کرو اور اللہ کی بڑائی بولو اس پر کہ اس نے تمہیں ہدایت کی اور کہیں تم حق گزار ہو
The month of Ramadan in which was sent down the Qur’an – the guidance for mankind, the direction and the clear criteria (to judge between right and wrong); so whoever among you witnesses this month, must fast for the (whole) month; and whoever is sick or on a journey, may fast the same number in other days; ALLAH desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you – so that you complete the count (of fasts), and glorify ALLAH’s greatness for having guided you, and so that you may be grateful.
In The View of Hadith
Narrated Ibn Umar:
ALLAH's Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but ALLAH and Muhammad is ALLAH's Messenger.
To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) .
To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith Number 8)
- Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard ALLAH's Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from ALLAH, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
- (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith Number 2008)
- Narrated Abu Huraira: ALLAH's Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith Number 1899)
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (Which causes rain and welfare).
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith Number 1902)
Narrated Abu Hurairah:
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) as saying: If anyone fasts during Ramadan because of faith and in order to seek his reward from ALLAH, his previous sins will be forgiven to him. If anyone prays in the night of the power (lailat al-qadr) because of faith and in order to seek his reward from ALLAH his previous sins will be forgiven for him.
Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been transmitted in a similar manner by Yahya b. Abi Kathir and Muhammad b. 'Amr from Abu Salamah.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith Number 1372)
Narrated Aishah:
When the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) kept vigil and prayed during the whole night, and tied the wrapper tightly, and awakened his family (to pray during the night).
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith Number 1376)
Practices during Ramadan
Fasting
Ramadan Iftar in Madina
The most prominent event of this month is fasting. Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat Sahur or Sehri or Sahari (Meaning "Something we eat at Sahar"), then they perform the fajr or Sobh prayer. They have to stop eating and drinking before the call for prayer starts until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib. Muslims break their fast at Maghrib (At sunset) prayer time with a meal called Iftar. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set until the next morning's fajr prayer call. Then the process starts all over.
Ramadan is a time of reflecting and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual activities during fasting hours are also forbidden. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness 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. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control,sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat). Click on word "Fasting" to read about it.
Ramadan is a time of reflecting and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual activities during fasting hours are also forbidden. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness 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. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control,sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat). Click on word "Fasting" to read about it.
Charity
Mawaed Rahman in Cairo,Egypt
Charity is very important in Islam. When walking down the streets of Cairo in Egypt at the time of the sunset prayer (Maghrib), not only people who are giving out dates and water are seen but several Mawaed Rahman as well. Mawaed Rahman are free public eateries organized during the holy month of Ramadan. Mawaed Rahman are organized by the wealthy, in order to offer the needy and the poor a warm meal during iftar time. Normally, Mawaed Rahman are donated and financed by individuals. The location of the Mawaed Rahman are essential, since areas where a lot of people pass by are preferred, because that way the eateries can reach out to a greater amount of hungry. One of the factors which hinders individuals to host such eateries is the long bureaucratic work. Now this is spreading in many other countries.
Prayer and reading of the Qur'an
In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which 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. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.
Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparing of special foods and inviting people for Iftar.
In many Muslim and non-Muslim countries with large Muslim populations, markets close down in the evening to enable people to perform prayers and consume the Iftar meal – these markets then re-open and stay open for a good part of the night. Muslims can be seen shopping, eating, spending time with their friends and family during the evening hours.
Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparing of special foods and inviting people for Iftar.
In many Muslim and non-Muslim countries with large Muslim populations, markets close down in the evening to enable people to perform prayers and consume the Iftar meal – these markets then re-open and stay open for a good part of the night. Muslims can be seen shopping, eating, spending time with their friends and family during the evening hours.
Islamic events taking place during Ramadan
Grave of Hazrat Khadija in Jannatul Moalla, Makkah
A grand view Ali Mausoleum, Najaf, Iraq
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Cultural aspects
Ramadan lanterns, Cairo, Egypt
Ramadan is met with various decorations throughout the streets. In Egypt, lanterns are known to be a symbol of Ramadan. They are hung across the cities of Egypt, part of an 800 year old tradition, the origin of which is said to lie in the Fatimid era where the Caliph Al-Muizz Lideenillah was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the city. The traditional local made lanterns are losing popularity due to inexpensive made plastic lanterns that look like TV characters, which attract children. The traditional lanterns in Cairo are made in various places especially near the Bab Zuweila gate.
New Arabic TV shows are broadcast every year in Ramadan on Arabic channels with advertisements about them, months before the advent of Ramadan. Egyptian and Syrian TV shows are the dominant shows that are being viewed by people in the various Arab countries.The number of TV shows are rising rapidly, with 38 TV shows produced for Ramadan in 2009 and 50 in 2010. The budget for TV shows have also risen rapidly to set a record in 2010 to be 750 million Egyptian Pounds (EGP) for the total of 50 shows. In 2009 the highest budget for a TV show was 25 million EGP while in 2010 this rose to over 40 million.
New Arabic TV shows are broadcast every year in Ramadan on Arabic channels with advertisements about them, months before the advent of Ramadan. Egyptian and Syrian TV shows are the dominant shows that are being viewed by people in the various Arab countries.The number of TV shows are rising rapidly, with 38 TV shows produced for Ramadan in 2009 and 50 in 2010. The budget for TV shows have also risen rapidly to set a record in 2010 to be 750 million Egyptian Pounds (EGP) for the total of 50 shows. In 2009 the highest budget for a TV show was 25 million EGP while in 2010 this rose to over 40 million.
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Ramadan Related E-Books |
