Ramadhan: The month of blessings
Adnan Shafi
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad (PBUH) received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims.
Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.
It is the holiest month for Muslims. Every year, Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours, but what is it really about?
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast in Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are also encouraged during the holy month.
Muslims also believe the Quran was revealed in Ramadan.
During the holy month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.
It is common for mosques to host large iftars, especially for the poor and needy. Nightly prayers called Tarawih are also held in mosques after iftar.
Different cultures have different traditions during Ramadan, whether it is a special food they must cook, or eating iftar with the extended family. Islamic tenets such as generosity inspired most of these traditions, including sharing food and inviting guests over for iftar.
Since Ramadan is part of the lunar calendar, its date annually changes on the Gregorian calendar. Muslims tend to wait for the new month’s moon to appear before they announce the first day of Ramadan. However, they can still estimate the day beforehand. This year Ramadan begins on Monday, May 6.
Lunar months last between 29 to 30 days depending on when the new moon is sighted. If the moon is not seen on the night of the 29th day, then Ramadan lasts for the full 30 days.
The Eid al-Fitr celebration marks the end of the month when Muslims celebrate a successful Ramadan of fasting and worship
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. There is also a verse in the Quran that prescribes fasting for all Muslims who are mature and healthy enough to do so for the full day.
So Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to God, and a way to become more compassionate to those in need.
Fasting is also seen as a way to learn patience and break bad habits.
This year, Monday, June 3, will be the 29th day of Ramadan for most Muslim nations in the Middle East.
These countries will be on the lookout for the Eid moon that evening. If it is sighted, the first day of Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Tuesday, June 4.
Otherwise, Ramadan fasting will carry on for 30 days and Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, June
With the advent of Ramadhaan, a mixture of feelings overwhelm the hearts of Muslims all over the world. The hearts are full of hope, based on truthful promises and great tidings, given by Allah and His Messenger (S), of great bounties and endless bliss.
We have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those whose fast is based on belief (Eemaan), sincerity and on truly expecting the reward from Allah (Ihtisaab).
We also have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those who offer night prayers (Qiyaam) during the whole month, and who do that with the same two conditions of Eemaan and Ihtisaab.
We have further been told that there is one night in this month which is better (in rewards) than a thousand months of worship and that all the past sins will be forgiven for those who spend it offering Qiyaam with both Eemaan and Ihtisaab.
We have been told that the devils will be chained down, that the gates of Hell will all be shut and that the gates of Paradise will all be open throughout this month.
We have been told that Allah will free (from punishment) some of his ‘ibaad (worshipers) on every single night of Ramadan.
We have been told that Allah answers the du’aa of the fasting person at his iftaar (fast-breaking).
We have been told that Allah multiplies the rewards of fasting beyond limits or imagination.
We have been told that the fasting person will be joyous and happy when he meets his Lord.
We all hope to be among those who offer the fast in the right way, in order to cultivate its glorious fruits.
We hope to be granted forgiveness of our previous sins, to be able to do much more good and to overcome all our weaknesses.
We hope to be among those who receive the gifts from the Jannah, whose gates are open.
We hope to humiliate our enemy (Satan), who is chained down, by rejecting any of his deceitful advice.
We hope to be among those who shall be granted full atonement of their sins by the end of this month, and among those who will be most happy with their fast when they meet their Lord.
We hope that all of us, Muslims, will be pleasing to Allah in order to deserve His Mercy and victory.
(The writer is a student of English literature)
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