About Mount of Ramadan

Muslims around the world are preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. From waking up in the early hours for a quick bite and sip of water, to the waiting – date in hand – for the seconds to tick by until the call to prayer at sunset, why do Muslims fast and what is Ramadan? What is Ramadan? Muslims – there are 1.6 billion in the world – believe Ramadan is the holiest month in the year , when the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, or theHijricalendar based on the lunar cycle, which began in AD622 when Muhammadmigrated from Meccato Medina. When is Ramadan? Depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, orhilal, the month begins this year on the evening of theWednesday 17 June,which means Muslims will begin their first day of fasting at dawn on Thursday 18 June. The month of fasting will end on eitherFriday 17 July orSaturday 18 July, as there are either 29 or 30 days in a lunar month. As Ramadan begins about 11 days earlier each year, it sometimes falls in winter months when the fasts are short, and in summer months when the fasts are long. Why do Muslims fast? During this month, observant Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours. This is because fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other acts of worship are the shahadah, which is the declaration of faith; salat, the five daily prayers; zakat, or almsgiving; and the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for Muslims, and in the Qur’an it states: O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwa [God-consciousness]. – The Qur’an, Al-Baqarah:183 You can hear the recitation of this verse in Arabic: Fasting, or sawm in Arabic, literally means “to refrain” – and not only is it abstaining from food, drink and sex, but also actions such as smoking cigarettes, talking about others behind their backs, or using foul language. Fasting does not mean Muslims retreat from their daily routine, rather they are encouraged to continue as normal in their work and usual activities. In fact, this is where the challenge of patience and endurance comes in. Muslims believe fasting is not merely a physical ritual, but is primarily a time for reflection and spiritual recharging. During the fast, Muslims believe that their desires are curbed and that they can gain understanding of how those who are less privileged than them feel. It is considered to increase one’s patience, closeness to God and generosity towards others. The month is also a time of community; it is the custom for Muslims to invite their neighbours and friends to share their evening meal – iftar – and recite specialTarawihprayers in congregation. It is also a time when Muslims try to reconnect with the Qur’an, which they believe is the word of God.

bySosw

in

02.22

About Mount of Ramadan

Muslims around the world are preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. From waking up in the early hours for a quick bite and sip of...

Read More

About Mount of Ramadan

Muslims around the world are preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. From waking up in the early hours for a quick bite and sip of water, to the waiting – date in hand – for the seconds to tick by until the call to prayer at sunset, why do Muslims fast and what is Ramadan? What is Ramadan? Muslims – there are 1.6 billion in the world – believe Ramadan is the holiest month in the year , when the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, or theHijricalendar based on the lunar cycle, which began in AD622 when Muhammadmigrated from Meccato Medina. When is Ramadan? Depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, orhilal, the month begins this year on the evening of theWednesday 17 June,which means Muslims will begin their first day of fasting at dawn on Thursday 18 June. The month of fasting will end on eitherFriday 17 July orSaturday 18 July, as there are either 29 or 30 days in a lunar month. As Ramadan begins about 11 days earlier each year, it sometimes falls in winter months when the fasts are short, and in summer months when the fasts are long. Why do Muslims fast? During this month, observant Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours. This is because fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other acts of worship are the shahadah, which is the declaration of faith; salat, the five daily prayers; zakat, or almsgiving; and the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for Muslims, and in the Qur’an it states: O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwa [God-consciousness]. – The Qur’an, Al-Baqarah:183 You can hear the recitation of this verse in Arabic: Fasting, or sawm in Arabic, literally means “to refrain” – and not only is it abstaining from food, drink and sex, but also actions such as smoking cigarettes, talking about others behind their backs, or using foul language. Fasting does not mean Muslims retreat from their daily routine, rather they are encouraged to continue as normal in their work and usual activities. In fact, this is where the challenge of patience and endurance comes in. Muslims believe fasting is not merely a physical ritual, but is primarily a time for reflection and spiritual recharging. During the fast, Muslims believe that their desires are curbed and that they can gain understanding of how those who are less privileged than them feel. It is considered to increase one’s patience, closeness to God and generosity towards others. The month is also a time of community; it is the custom for Muslims to invite their neighbours and friends to share their evening meal – iftar – and recite specialTarawihprayers in congregation. It is also a time when Muslims try to reconnect with the Qur’an, which they believe is the word of God.

bySosw

in

02.22

About Mount of Ramadan

Muslims around the world are preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. From waking up in the early hours for a quick bite and sip of...

Read More

About Mount of Ramadan

Muslims around the world are preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. From waking up in the early hours for a quick bite and sip of water, to the waiting – date in hand – for the seconds to tick by until the call to prayer at sunset, why do Muslims fast and what is Ramadan? What is Ramadan? Muslims – there are 1.6 billion in the world – believe Ramadan is the holiest month in the year , when the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, or theHijricalendar based on the lunar cycle, which began in AD622 when Muhammadmigrated from Meccato Medina. When is Ramadan? Depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, orhilal, the month begins this year on the evening of theWednesday 17 June,which means Muslims will begin their first day of fasting at dawn on Thursday 18 June. The month of fasting will end on eitherFriday 17 July orSaturday 18 July, as there are either 29 or 30 days in a lunar month. As Ramadan begins about 11 days earlier each year, it sometimes falls in winter months when the fasts are short, and in summer months when the fasts are long. Why do Muslims fast? During this month, observant Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours. This is because fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The other acts of worship are the shahadah, which is the declaration of faith; salat, the five daily prayers; zakat, or almsgiving; and the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for Muslims, and in the Qur’an it states: O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwa [God-consciousness]. – The Qur’an, Al-Baqarah:183 You can hear the recitation of this verse in Arabic: Fasting, or sawm in Arabic, literally means “to refrain” – and not only is it abstaining from food, drink and sex, but also actions such as smoking cigarettes, talking about others behind their backs, or using foul language. Fasting does not mean Muslims retreat from their daily routine, rather they are encouraged to continue as normal in their work and usual activities. In fact, this is where the challenge of patience and endurance comes in. Muslims believe fasting is not merely a physical ritual, but is primarily a time for reflection and spiritual recharging. During the fast, Muslims believe that their desires are curbed and that they can gain understanding of how those who are less privileged than them feel. It is considered to increase one’s patience, closeness to God and generosity towards others. The month is also a time of community; it is the custom for Muslims to invite their neighbours and friends to share their evening meal – iftar – and recite specialTarawihprayers in congregation. It is also a time when Muslims try to reconnect with the Qur’an, which they believe is the word of God.

bySosw

in

02.22

About Mount of Ramadan

Muslims around the world are preparing for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. From waking up in the early hours for a quick bite and sip of...

Read More