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Ramadan
A crescent moon can be seen over palm trees at sunset marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan in Bahrain
Observed by	Muslims
Type	Muslim, cultural
Celebrations	Communal Iftars
Observances	sawm (fasting), zakat & sadaqa (alms giving), tarawih prayer, salat (prayer), reading the Quran
Begins	1 Ramadan
Ends	29, or 30 Ramadan
Date	Variable (follows the Islamic lunar calendar)
2024 date	date missing (please add)
Related to	Eid ul-Fitr, Laylat al-Qadr

Ramadan (Template:Lang-ar} Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn]; Template:Lang-fa; Template:Lang-hi Template:Lang-ur; Template:Lang-tr) is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days according to the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths. The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root “ramida” or “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat or dryness. It is the Muslim month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from dawn until sunset from eating, drinking, and sexual relations. Fasting is wajib (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, travelling or going through menstrual bleeding.

According to Islam, the sawab (rewards) of fasting are many, but in this month, they are believed to be multiplied. Muslims fast in this month to offer more prayers and Quran recitations.

In the Quran

Chapter 2, Revelation 185 of the Quran states:

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, a number of 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.

Thus, via the Quran, Muslims are informed that Muhammad, first received revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the months of the lunar Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra.

Beginning of Ramadan

Hilāl (the crescent) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon indicates the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan. However, to many Muslims, this is not in accordance with authenticated Hadiths stating that visual confirmation per region is recommended. The consistent variations of a day have existed since the time of Muhammad.

Practices during Ramadan

Fasting

In the Quran

The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down - right guidance to mankind, and clear signs of guidance and distinction of truth from falsehood. Those among you who witness it, let him fast therein. Whoever is sick or on a journey, then a number of other days. God desires ease for you, and desires not hardship. Thus may you fulfill the number of days assigned, magnify God for having guided you, and perhaps you will be thankful.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouses is allowed after one has ended the daily fast. During fasting, intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, and resistance of all temptations is encouraged. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul and free it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat).

It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Fasting is not necessary for women going through menstrual bleeding. Also, those traveling (musaafir) are exempt, but must make up the days they miss. More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 mi (23 km) in a day are exempt.

Each day before dawn, a pre-fast meal called Suhoor is eaten. This meal is mentioned by the Sunnah, a sacred Muslim text. The meal typically consists of breakfast fare such as eggs and salads; little or no salt is used in preparation to avoid thirst during the upcoming fast.

Health effects

A team of cardiologists in the UAE found that people observing Ramadan enjoy a positive effect on their lipid profile, which means there is a reduction of cholesterol in the blood.

Iftar

At sunset, families gather for the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar. The meal starts with the eating of one or more (usually three) dates – just as Muhammad used to do. Following that, Muslims adjourn for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.

In the Middle East, the Iftar meal consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers, one or more entrees, and dessert. Typical entrees are "lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, or roast chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf". A rich dessert such as baklava or kunafeh ("a buttery, syrup-sweetened kadaifi noodle pastry filled with cheese") concludes the meal.

Over time, Iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at mosques or banquet halls for 100 or more diners.

Charity

Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakat, often translated as "the poor-rate", is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam; a fixed percentage required to be given by those with savings. Sadaqa is voluntary charity in given above and beyond what is required from the obligation of zakat. Muslims believe that all good deeds are more handsomely rewarded in Ramadan than in any other month of the year. Consequently, many will choose this time to give a larger portion, if not all, of the zakat for which they are obligated to give. In addition, many will also use this time to give a larger portion of sadaqa in order to maximize the reward they believe will await them on the Day of Judgment.

In many Muslim countries, it is not uncommon to see people giving more food to the poor and the homeless, and even to see large public areas for the poor to come and break their fast. It is said that if a person helps a fasting person to break their fast, then they receive a reward for that fast, without diminishing the reward that the fasting person got for their fast.

Even in non-Muslim countries, no matter how small the Muslim population, a consistent increase in charitable donations to both fellows Muslims and non-Muslims occurs more so in this month. In the USA, for example, many Muslim communities dispersed throughout the country, participate in contributing food, clothes and non-perishable food items to local charities.

Increased prayer and recitation of the Quran

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Quran (Juz', which is 1/30 of the Quran) is recited. Therefore the entire Quran would be completed at the end of the month. However it is not required to read the whole Quran in the Salatul Tarawih.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are mandated to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparation of special foods and inviting people for Iftar, the break-the-fast meal after sunset.

Laylat al-Qadr

Sometimes referred to as "the night of decree or measures", Laylat al-Qadr is considered the most holy night of the year. Muslims believe that it is the night in which the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad, as stated in Chapter 97 of the Qu'ran. Also, generally, Laylat al-Qadr is believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, i.e., either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th.

End of Ramadan

Eid ul-Fitr

The Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Template:Lang-ar, "festivity of breaking the fast"), sometimes spelled in English as Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month called Shawwal in Arabic. This first day of the following month is declared after another crescent new moon has been sighted or the completion of 30 days of fasting if no visual sighting is possible due to weather conditions. This first day of Shawwal is called Eid ul-Fitr. Eid Ul-Fitr may also be a reference towards the festive nature of having endured the month of fasting successfully and returning to the more natural disposition (fitra) of being able to eat, drink and resume intimacy with spouses during the day.

For the manner in which the Eid is celebrated, see Eid ul-Fitr and Salat al Eid.

Cultural aspects

Decorations

Various cultural additions are mistakenly associated as part of the original celebrations arising from the time of Muhammad, as many of the forms of celebration in various cultures and countries have added. For example, no symbols of Ramadan were evident in any scholarly literature of Muhammad's lifetime, yet in some places Ramadan is met with various decorations throughout the streets.

For example, in some Muslim countries today lights are strung up in public squares, and across city streets, to add to the festivities of the month. In Egypt, lanterns have become symbolic of Ramadan. They are hung across the cities of Egypt, part of an 800 year old tradition, the origin of which is said to lie in the Fatimid era where the Caliph Al-Muizz Lideenillah was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the city. In the West, many Muslim households have taken to decorating the inside of their homes to make Ramadan a more special time for their children. Usually parents buy new clothes and toys for their children or give them money.

It is still common to observe Salat al Eid which was the tradition of Muhammad.

Difference between the lunar calendar and the solar calendar

Compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon; thus, a person will have fasted every day of the Gregorian calendar year after 34 years.

Origins

Origin of the word Ramadan

The derivation of the name Ramadan is in some dispute. Many believe that the word Ramadan is derived from an Arabic root R-M-Ḍ, as in words like "ramiḍa" or "ar-ramaḍ", denoting intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of rations. This is perhaps a reference to the idea that the fast "scorches" away human sins.

The Ramadan, as a name for the month, is of Islamic origin. Some scholars have made claims that Ramadan existed before Islam as one of the twelve months of the Arabic lunar calendar. However, prior to Islam and the exclusion of intercalary days from the Islamic calendar, the name of the month was Natiq and the month fell in the warm season.

The first revelation to Muhammad was sent down during this month. Furthermore, God proclaimed to Muhammad that fasting for His Sake was not a new innovation in monotheism, but rather an obligation practiced by those truly devoted to The Oneness of God. One such example of those who observed fasting before Islam were the Jews who had migrated to Medinah awaiting the foretold unlettered Prophet. This may or may not be referring to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur. It is possible that the obligation to fast during Ramadan comes from early injunction to fast on Ashura, the 10th day of the month of Muharram, which may have once been identical with the Jewish observance of the Day of Atonement. Whether or not fasting on that day was obligatory, today, it still not uncommon for Muslims to fast that day voluntarily.

Pre-Islamic observation of Ramadan

Abu Zanad, an Arabic writer from Iraq who lived around 747 A.D. (after the founding of Islam), wrote that at least one Mandaean community located in northern Iraq observed Ramadan. Abdel Allah ibn Zakwan Abi al-Zanad claims that Ramadan originally had pagan roots in India and the Middle East. He said that it is evident from Abu Zanadwritings, that Ramadan was a pagan ceremony practiced by the Sabians, whether they were Mandaeans or Harranians.

During pre-Islamic times the month of Ramadan was observed in Arabia, as a month when the various tribes observed a truce from any existing hostilities. Those days are commonly referred to as Jahilliyah, as Muhammad used to call those times himself. However, ever since the Prophethood of Muhammad, Ramadan became associated with religious monotheism, and has been observed as such ever since.

See also

• Five Pillars of Islam
• Islamic Calendar
• Ramadan calendar

Notes

] : In Arabic phonology, the first and second vowel can be backed to [ɑ] or fronted to [a], [æ] or [ɛ]; the last vowel can be centralized [ä] or backed [ɑ].

References

1. (2011 ). "Ramadan 2011: Dates, Fasting Rules, History". huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 27 August 2011. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: year (link)
2. "Most Arab states to start Ramadan Friday". France 24. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
3. "Ramadan Starts Friday for Sunnis, Saturday for Shiites". Ya Libnan. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
4. Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 124". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
5. Muslim-Ibn-Habaj, Abul-Hussain. "Sahih Muslim - Book 006 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 2378". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
6. Muslim-Ibn-Habaj, Abul-Hussain. "Sahih Muslim - Book 006 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 2391". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
7. Ramzan / Ramadan 2012 – 1433 Prayer Times Schedule
8. Islam, Andrew Egan - 2002 - page 24
9. Fasting (Al Siyam) - الصيام - Page 18, el Bahay el Kholi, 1998
10. Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 118". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
11. Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 125". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
12. Muslim-Ibn-Habaj, Abul-Hussain. "Sahih Muslim - Book 006 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 2566". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
13. Abu Dawud-Ibn-Ash'ath-AsSijisstani, Sulayman. "Sunan Abu-Dawud - (The Book of Prayer) - Detailed Injunctions about Ramadan, Hadith 1370". Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement of The University of Southern California. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
14. Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 199". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
15. Hilal Sighting & Islamic Dates: Issues and Solution Insha'Allaah. Hilal Sighting Committee of North America (website). Retrieved 19 August 2009.
16. Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 124". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
17. Quran 2:185
18. Why Ramadan brings us together; BBC, 01 September 2008
19. ^ Help for the Heavy at Ramadan, Washington Post, 27 September 2008
20. See, for example, Should pregnant women fast during Ramadan, where both points of view are indicated by different scholars; see also The Old, The Pregnant, And The Breast Feeding Not Fasting (archived from the original on 2008-06-08), where different views on this subject are mentioned.
21. Concise Description of Islamic Law and Legal Opinions - Page 125, Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan Ṭūsī, A. Ezzati - 2008
22. Quran 2:184
23. ^ Levy, Faye; Levy, Yakir (21 July 2012). "Ramadan's high note is often a dip". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
24. "Ramadan fasting is good for the heart: study". Emirates 24/7. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
25. Fletcher Stoeltje, Melissa (22 August 2009). "Muslims fast and feast as Ramadan begins". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
26. Davis, James D. (8 August 2010). "Ramadan: Muslims feast and fast during holy month". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
27. Robinson, Neal (1999). Islam: A Concise Introduction. Washington: Georgetown University Press. ISBN 0-87840-224-1.
28. Tidings of Comfort, Joy and Ramadan
29. Quran, Short Commentary
30. Quran Chapter 2, Revelation 185
31. Quran Chapter 2, Revelation 183
32. ^ Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 222". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
33. Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 223". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
34. Bukhari-Ibn-Ismail, AbdAllah-Muhammad. "Sahih Bukhari - Book 031 (The Book of Fasting), Hadith 220". hadithcollection.com. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
35. Sunan al-Tirmidhi I.145.
36. Goyṭayn, Šelomo D. (1966). Studies in Islamic history and institutions. Leiden, NL: E. J. Brill. pp. 95–96. ISBN 90-04-03006-9.
37. Probably Tisha B'Av (9th of Av) which is a fast day traditionally proclaimed as the day the Messiah will be born.
38. Abdel Allah ibn Zakwan Abi al-Zanad. See Ibn Qutaybah,op.cit.page 204;Cited by Sinasi Gunduz, The Knowledge of Life, Oxford University, 1994, page 25
39. Dr. Rafat Amari. "RAMADAN AND ITS ROOTS". Religion Research Institute.

External links

• Ramadan 2012
• Ramadan Articles
• Ramadan 2012 Start
• Ramadan Calendar for 2012
• City of Brass: Ramadan series
• Ramadan: Complete Interactive Online Guide
• Ramadan Sources / e-books / lectures
• Ramadan Articles
• The Deen: Ramadan
• Hadith about Ramadan
• Ramadan Around the World - slideshow by The First Post
• Ramadan (PressTV video)
• RAMADAN and its ROOTS - By Dr. Rafat Amari
• Ramadan Muslim Holy Days
• RAMADAN Wishes
• Meanings behind the fast of Ramadan

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• Ramadan
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