Compendious note on Ramadan !!

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    Ramadan,30 days long An Islamic month begins with the sighting of the new crescent in the western horizon, immediately after sunset. Ramadan has begun with the sunset but fasting begins with the next dawn. 

    Sawn means a fast that begins with dawn and ends with dusk. Muslims rise before dawn, eat Seher and drink liquids for the preparation of Sawn. Eating and drinking stop at dawn. During the day, no eating, drinking or sexual activity is practised. In addition, a Muslim must follow the moral code of Islam very strictly as failure violates fasting.

    Muslims all over the world fast for a month from dawn to dusk. This month is to exercise of self-control, hunger, thirst, frustration and sexual desire and taking control of their own mind. You will be surprised when you realise how much the brain has control over you; this month is about letting go of that.

    Although in most religions, fasting is for an expiation of sin or atonement for sin, in Islam it is primary to bring one closer to God,Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the deeds of worship  required of all Muslims. Some exceptions include the  people who are ill or in travel may choose to postpone their fast. 

    Sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast. They may postpone the fast, as long as they are sick, to a later date and make up for it, a day for a day.

    Travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel only and make up for it in later days, a day for a day

    Pregnant women and women breastfeeding their children may also break the fast if its observance is likely to endanger their own health or that of their infants. But they must make up for the fast at a delayed time, a day for a day.

    Women in the -period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days).; They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it, a day for a day.

    However, they may also think about the benefits of fasting which may include developing control over hunger, thirst and sexual urges, training to be a good moral person and, testing sincerity to the Creator. In the Muslim countries, working hours are shortened by a couple of hours a day to make the work comfortable.

    The fast is broken after sunset after the prayer, usually by eating dates and drinking water or juice. This is followed by the sunset prayer which is followed by a complete meal. After a brief rest, Muslims go to the mosque to offer the night prayer and then a special night prayer, called Taravi.

    Taravi :


    This nightly congregational prayer is performed after the Isha prayer. Traditionally, a Hafiz of the Quran, a person who has memorised the whole Quran leads the prayer. He recites the Quran in small portions, in proper sequence, every night and completes the recitation of the whole Quran before the end of the month of Ramadan. Every Muslim who attends such prayers regularly gets the opportunity of listening to the whole Quran in a month.

    Ramadan Generosity :

    The month of Ramadan brings many blessings. During this month people are more generous, more cordial, will be more ready than other times of the year to do good work. The poor and the needy receive food, clothing and money from the rich. Many people go to the mosque in the neighbourhood for fast breaking and meals. The atmosphere is that of a friendly potluck dinner every evening of the month.

     Zakat, a wealth purifying tax, and donations are given at this time of the year since many Muslims wishes to take the opportunity of multiplied rewards from Allah.

    The end of the fasting month is celebrated on the first of Shawwal, the 10th month, which follows Ramadan. Traditionally, on the 29th of Ramadan after sunset, people go out in the open looking for a new crescent in the western horizon where the sun sets. If the crescent is sighted, the end of Ramadan and Eid are declared. If not, Ramadan is extended by one day.

    On the day of Eid, people take a bath in the early morning, eat breakfast, wear their best clothes and proceed to the place of Eid congregation while saying, “Allah is the Greatest, there is no deity but Allah and all praise belongs to Allah.

    At the end of the prayer, people supplicate, greet, embrace and congratulate each other for the successful completion of Ramadan and ask Allah for the acceptance of their efforts.During the day, people visit each other and children may receive gifts.Essentially, Eid is a day of thanks to Allah, and also a gathering of family and friends.

    Let us pray for those who cannot feed their family or themselves, those who are in the middle of the war and for those who lost their family as a result. May we all live together in peace this Month.

    Ramadan Mubarak !!

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