Introduction of Ramadan
Ramadan Mubarak is the holiest months for Muslims. During this month, Muslims recall the revelation of the Qur’an and fast from food and drink during the daytime. Muslim get closer to God by fasting, practice self-control, and understand the feelings of the poor. Ramadan is a time for deep spiritual focus, with more prayers and reading of the Qur’an. Some people, like pregnant or nursing women, the sick, elderly, and children, do not have to fast.
Which month is Ramadan
Ramadan comes at the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the moon. It is 11 days shorter than the solar year because a lunar year has about 354 days. This means Ramadan starts 11 days earlier each year. It takes 33 years for Ramadan to return to the same season. The month begins and ends when the new moon is seen. However, some Muslims now use a set date based on moon calculations.
Purpose of Fasting and hours of Fasting in Ramadan
Muslims fast from early morning before sunrise to sunset. Depending on the time of year, this can last between 11 to 16 hours each day. They do this for 29 or 30 days during the month of Ramadan. While fasting, they do not eat or drink, and married couples also avoid intimacy during daylight hours.
Ramadan is a time for Muslims to improve themselves, both physically and spiritually. They try to stay away from bad habits like gossiping, lying, arguing, or speaking badly about others. It is also a time for self-reflection and becoming a better person. Many Muslims see Ramadan as a chance to strengthen their faith and develop good character. It is also a social time when families and friends gather to break their fast together and pray at the mosque.
The main purpose of fasting is to become closer to God. This is called taqwa in Arabic, which means being aware of God at all times. Fasting teaches self-control, discipline, and encourages people to do good and avoid wrong. Since the Qur’an was first revealed in Ramadan, Muslims try to read the whole book during this month. Special prayers are also held at night where the entire Qur’an is recited.
Who Fasts During Ramadan?
Adults
All Muslims who have reached puberty must fast during Ramadan. However, some people do not have to fast if it is too hard for them. These include people who are sick, People who are traveling, Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on their period and elderly people who are too weak or ill.
People who miss fasting for a short time should make up the fast later. But if someone is too old or has a long-term illness and cannot fast at all, they can give food to a poor person for each missed day instead.
Children
Children do not have to fast until they reach to adolescence. However, many children start fasting from childhood by fasting for half a day or on certain days. This helps them get used to fasting and feel like adults. Some mosques even celebrate children who complete their first full day or first full fast.
Family routines during Ramadan
A family wakes up before sunrise to eat a meal called suhur(sehri). After that they pray the morning prayer. Some people go back to sleep, while others start their daily routine works. In the summer, when days are long, many people take a short nap in the afternoon after work.
They break or open their fast with a few dates and water, moreover some also eat light foods like fruit or small snacks like samosa, flitters etc. This meal is called iftar, which means “breaking the fast.” After praying, they eat dinner. It is common to invite guests for iftar or visit other’s homes to eat together.
Later at night, males go to the mosque to pray. They perform a special prayer called Taraweeh. After finishing the prayers, they return home, sometimes quite late. The schedule changes throughout the year, with shorter fasting hours in winter and longer ones in summer days.
Special Foods
Muslims opens or break their fast with dates and water. This is the only traditional way of eating during Ramadan because its sunnah. Dates are good one because they give energy and are easy to digest and healthy also. Different countries have their own special meals and dishes for Ramadan.
Benefits of Fasting in Ramadan
Accoring to doctors fasting is very good for health. It helps in decreasing cholesterol level and has a lot of other health benefits. Fasting also cleanses the body and gives the stomach a break. A break is important because it is busy in digesting food all the time. It also purify the spirit.
Eid-ul-Fitr
When Ramadan ends, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Fitr means “Festival of Breaking the Fast” . On this occasion everyone has new clothes, money, or gifts from family and friends. In the morning, Muslims gather for a special prayer . After that wholeday they celebrate in parks or big halls with food, and fun activities. The greeting “Eid Mubarak” means “Blessed Holiday!”
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