Ramadan
(Ramzan) is the Blessed
Month of Fasting and is observed by more
than one billion Muslims around
the world. Ramadan is observed during the ninth
month of the Islamic calendar and is the
month in which the Qur'an
was revealed to Angel Gabriel and later was revealed
to Prophet Muhammad. It is a time for spiritual
purification achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice
and prayers.
God states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe!
Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed
to those before you that you may learn self-restraint."
(Qur'an 2:183)
Sawm or siyam means fasting and
all adult Muslims are required to abstain from
food, drink and sexual intercourse during daylight
hours that is from dawn until sunset. Fasting
is meant to teach the person patience, humility
and self control. Before retirement each night,
special congregational prayer is offered in which
long passages of the Koran are recited.
It also asking forgiveness for the sins, and asking
for help with refraining from every day evils
and trying to purify oneself through self-restraint.
Elderly men and women, and those who are ill with
no expectation of recovery or on a journey, and
women who are menstruating, pregnant or nursing,
are permitted to break the fast and make up an
equal number of days later in the year if they
are healthy and able.
Ramadan
gives a great opportunity to share Islam and more
specifically, its values of spirituality, generosity
and kindness with others, especially your neighbors.
Also Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation
for the treatment of mild to moderate, stable,
non-insulin diabetes, obesity, lowering of cholesterol
and essential hypertension.
To a Muslim, Ramadan fasting is not just refraining
from eating and drinking but carries the added
significance of worship and strengthen the foundation
of Muslim life viz. observance of The 'Five Pillars'
of Islam. |
The
'Five Pillars' of Islam are:
• Testimony of Faith (Kalima) :Faith or
belief in the Oneness of God and the finality
of the prophet hood of Muhammad;
• Prayer (Salat) :Establishment of the daily
prayers; Five times each day (before dawn, noon,
afternoon, after sunset, and evening)
• Fasting (Sawm): Self-purification through
fasting;
• Almsgiving (Zakat): Concern for and almsgiving
to the needy; and
• Pilgrimage (Hajj): The pilgrimage to Makkah
(Mecca) for those who are able.
Ramadan beginning is decided once the crescent
moon (hilal) is sighted. When the Crescent moon
is visible again at the end of the month, it is
the time to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr (break the fast). |
