The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word Ramida, meaning intense scorching heat and dryness. Ramadan is the ninth month of an Islamic Calendar. It is believed that in the month of Ramadan the Holy Quran was sent down from heaven as guidance for men and also as a declaration of direction and a means to Salvation. During Ramadan, the Muslims keep the Fast of Ramadan that lasts for the entire month. Ramadan is the time for worship and meditation and the Muslims focus on their faith and spend less time on the worldly everyday lives.
It is believed by Muslims that during Ramadan the gates of Heaven (jannah) are open and the gates of hell (Jahanam) are closed. Therefore so many believe are associated with Ramadan among the Muslims that makes Ramadan one of the important festivals for Muslims. Apart from the above, the importance of Ramadan lies in the fact, which all the Muslims believe that, it is believed to be the month during which The Holy Quran was revealed by god to prophet Muhammad (570-632 C.E.). Muslim Ramadan is also important because according to the five pillars of the Islam, pillars refer to the duties which any Muslim should follow, it is the duty of all the Muslims to fast for the entire month of Ramadan. The five pillars of Islam are as follows:
1.Reciting the two-fold Creed (Shahada) (profession of faith) – ‘There is no God but Allah’ and ‘Muhammad is his prophet’ (or ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God’)
2. Prayer (salat) – At five set-times a day while facing towards the city of Mecca.
3. Alms-giving (sakat) (zakat – means ‘purification’, an act of worship) -obligatory and voluntary giving to the poor.
4. Fasting (saum) – Especially during the ‘holy’ month of Ramadan.
5. Pilgrimage (hajj) – At least once in a lifetime – to Mecca, Saudi Arabia if at all possible, known as The Hajj.
The pilgrims who came to Mecca should walk around Ka’aba seven times kissing and touching the Black Stone The Black Stone was a meteorite to which great religious significance was attached even before Muhammad was born. Muhammad simply adopted this pagan practice and it became
the “Islamic” pilgrimage of “Hajj” – one of the pillars of Islam.
The entire month Muslims fast with no water and food during the daytime. Muslims have food only before the sunrises and after the sunsets. The day starts with eating of the suhoor. Suhoor is the meal eaten by the Muslims who fast before the sun rises. Once suhoor is done then Muslims who fast cannot eat or drink the whole day. In the evening when the sun sets then they have another meal called If tar. To open the fast they pray and have Iftar meal. Once Iftar is over Muslims visit their relative’s house and early in the morning sets back to the fast.
During Ramadan it is also common for the Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) apart from praying and studying the Quran. With the usual five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). This prayer is much longer as compared to the daily prayers. On the evening of the 27th day of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). The legend goes that on this night prophet Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran.
Ramadan beginning can only be decided once the crescent moon (hilal) is sighted. When the Crescent moon (hilal) is visible again at the end of the month, it is the time to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr (break the fast). Soon after the Ramadan celebrations there is time for another celebrations of Eid-Ul-Fitr. Muslims celebrate this occasion by wearing new clothes, which they get stitched before hand and visit mosque early in the morning. Men generally wear white clothes which symbolizes purity. The entire day of Eid-Ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims by visiting each other’s houses and having Delicious food, which includes special dishes cooked on this occasion. All of them sit together to have their meal and celebrate Eid by spreading love and happiness all around. Children on this occasion have a real leisure time, when they receive gifts, perks and sweets from all their near and dear ones as a token of love. Every wishes each other by saying Eid Mubarak!!!!!
About the Author:
This article is written by Ronald Nelson, Researcher and Events Organizer, specializing in worldwide events and festivals.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Ramadan and Eid- the Frolic of the Crescent Moon
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