Ramadan is regarded as one of the blessed best months for Muslims throughout the world. In Ramadan, Muslims observe the revelation of the Qur’an, fast from nutriment and drink for God, and develop self-control, gratitude, and tolerance for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense religious rejuvenation with a raised emphasis on affection. During Ramadan, Muslims pay additional time reading the Qur’an and performing particular prayers. Are you waiting for fasting in Ramadan? Are you looking for a brief explanation of Ramadan History, Observation, and Objectives? Well, this post is following your search. Stay connected with this post to read the required information.
When Does Ramadan Start?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The month traditionally begins and ends based on the emergence of the new moon. Muslims throughout the world keenly seek the moon of this month. After seeing the moon in the sky, they greeted each other. In 2022, Ramadan began on April 2nd and will end around May 1st. On 2nd April 2022 after the Maghreb prayer, the crescent moon appeared in the sky therefore there will be the 1st fast of Ramadan on 3rd April 2022.
Ramadan Greetings
History
Muslims were first commanded to fast in the second year of Hijra (624 CE). They believe that the practice of fasting is not a creation of monotheism but rather has always been essential for believers to achieve taqwa (the fear of God). [Quran 2:183] It was believed that the pre-Islamic infidels of Mecca fasted on the tenth day of Muharram to make amends for sin and avoid drought. Philip Jenkins contends that the ritual of this month fasting started by “the strict Lenten domain of the Syrian Churches,” but debated by some Muslim scholars.
Prophet Muhammad SAW received his first quranic verses on Laylat al-Qadr. Laylat al-Qadr is one of the five odd-numbered nights that comes in the last ten days of this month. Moreover, Muslims believed that all the sculptures; the scrolls of Abraham, Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran had been handed down during this holy month.
“The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, several other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.”
[Quran 2:185]
Observation
In Muslim countries, eating in public during the daytime in Ramadan is a violation. The bargain of alcohol is also forbidden during fasting month in Egypt. The punishment for publicly eating, drinking, or smoking is paying fines or imprisonment in the countries of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Malaysia. In the United Arab Emirates, the punishment for Ramadan violation is community service. In the United Arab Emirates, workers are allowed to serve not more than six hours per day and thirty-six hours per week during the holy month. Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait have similar laws for their Muslim employees.
Moreover, breaking the fast with dates and simple water is traditional all over the world. Dates are a robust source of energy and easily digestible in less time. Different Muslim countries have a variety of food menus for sehri and iftari.
- Also, visit Eid Milad Un Nabi | 12th Rabiul Awwal
Objectives
Ramadan is a time for Muslims to be particularly charitable. Also fasting enables Muslims realize sympathy for the hungry and poor people. Many mosques hold food campaigns for charity. Some mosques also host accessible houses for their friends and neighbors of other religions to join them for their fast-breaking or iftar. Special prayers taraweeh are held in mosques after the night prayer Esha. During taraweeh, the Qari, Imam or Hafiz recites at least one 13th of the Qur’an so that by the end of this month the whole Qur’an will have been recited. Taraweeh is the sunnah and wajib prayer in Islam. So, by praying taraweeh on a daily basis, Muslims will get countless ajar from God.
During Ramadan, many mosques host congregation Iftari meals where Muslims can break their fast together. This is a great service for travellers, the poor and needy people who don’t want to plead from people. This type of practice develops a unique quality of helping the needy people without showing it to others. This holy month also enables the Muslims to have self control and tolerance for their desires. It is strictly prohibited to abuse, gossip, or disrespect others during your fast. So, fasting helps you to be a good version of yourself during Ramadan.
Ramadan Goals- Daily Routine
Ramadan Goals basically include reading the Qur’an as much as you can, improving your prayers, helping poors, respecting others, and avoiding abuse. So, we should plan our whole month of Fasts for utmost good deed. Make a schedule for your Ramadan Goals.
Offer Prayers on Time
We must offer five times prayers / salah on daily basis in Ramadan. Prayer is mandatory for all the Muslims. Try your best for offering Taraweeh and Tahajud prayer as well. Allah listens directly to the Dua that is made by the Muslims during the month of Ramadan. Also, the pray made by one Muslim for another one is precious and loved by Allah Almighty.
Read Quran
Ramadan is the month of blessings and purity. It is mandatory in Islam to complete one Quran during this month. You can also read more than one Qur’an with your love and ease. Try reciting Qur’an after the prayers or whenever you want to recite. There is a great reward (ajar) on reciting even one word of Qur’an. The recitation of Holy Qur’an softens the hearts, makes you pleased and embarrassed for your bad deeds.
Give Charity
In Islam, there is many more reward for all the good deeds that you do during Ramadan. Always give charity to poor people. In this holy month, a lot of poor people who can’t afford good nourishment are underprivileged. So, we have to find out and help out these needy families without showing it off. A good ajar is for the deed which you keep hidden.
Feed a Hungry Person
By practicing fasts in this holy month, we certainly understand the difficulties of the hungry people. We realize how it feels to be hungry! There are a lot of people who even can not get the substantial needs in their lives. Fasts develop patience and kindness in us for the needy persons.
Help Someone
Another great objective of the Holy month of Ramadan is to help out others. Someone near you may be going through some financial crisis, so help them out to fix it. Maybe someone is going through emotional trauma and your supportive words can heal his or her dilemma. It takes nothing to help others.
“Create ease for others, Allah will create ease for you. No doubt, Allah’s assistance is the greatest.”
Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr is considered the religious night of the year for Muslims. It is generally assumed that Laylat al-Qadr occurred on one of the odd-numbered nights during the last ten days of this month. Dawoodi Bohra speculates that Laylat al-Qadr existed on the twenty-third night of Ramadan.
Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr (عيد الفطر), marks the end of Ramadan, and the onset of the month of Shawwal, the next lunar month after Ramadan. It is announced after a crescent moon has been viewed. Sometimes it is announced after the culmination of thirty days of fasting if sighting the crescent moon is impossible. Eid ul-Fitr is considered to celebrate the more natural propensity of eating, drinking, and marital intimacy, a reward from God for his believers.
May Allah enable us to fast during this Ramadan and accept our fasts! May Allah help us to avoid evil deeds and do good deeds, Ameen!
