Ramadan رمضان
Ramadan is the 9th month of Islamic Calendar, and it is a month of fasting, prayer, contemplation, and fellowship for Muslims all over the world. The yearly observance of Ramadan, which commemorates Muhammad’s first revelation and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next, is recognized as one of Islam’s Five Pillars.
Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory or fard for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating. The predawn meal is referred to as Saher, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called Iftar. Although fatwas have been issued stating that Muslims living in areas with a midnight sun or polar night should follow Mecca’s timetable, it is normal practice to follow the same timetable of the next country where night and day can be differentiated.
During Ramadan, the spiritual benefits of fasting are said to be amplified. As a result, Muslims abstain from not just eating and drink, but also cigarettes, sexual relations, and immoral behavior, instead focusing on prayer and Quran study.
Ramadan Meaning and Etymology
The name Ramadan comes from the Arabic root Scorching Heat, which is derived from the Classical Arabic verb Ramia, which means to become exceedingly hot, burning, scorching, blazing, or shining.
Some Muslims consider Ramadan to be one of Allah’s names, and as a result, it is forbidden to say merely Ramadan in relation to the calendar month, and it is essential to say Month of Ramadan, as recounted in Sunni, Shia, and Zaydi ahadith.
The Arabic letter Z is pronounced as in the Persian language. The phrase Ramazan or Ramzan is used by Muslim populations in several countries with historical Persian influences, such as Azerbaijan, Iran, India, Pakistan, and Turkey. Romzan is a term that is used to describe Ramadan in Bangladesh.
Ramadan History
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous. (Quran: Surah Al-Baqara 02, Ayat 183)
The scrolls of Abraham, Torah, Psalms, Gospel, and Quran, according to Muslims, were revealed during Ramadan on the first, sixth, twelfth, thirteenth in some accounts, eighteenth, and twenty-fourth Ramadans, respectively. On Laylat al-Qadr, one of the five odd-numbered nights that come during the last 10 days of Ramadan, Mohammed is claimed to have received his first Quranic revelation.
Although Muslims were first instructed to fast in the second year of Hijr, 624 CE, they believe that fasting has always been a need for believers to acquire taqwa. They cite the pre-Islamic pagans of Makkah who fasted on the tenth of Muharram to atone for their sins and prevent drought.
Days in Ramadan
The lunar Islamic calendar determines the start and finish dates of Ramadan.
Ramadan Beginning
Ramadan dates between the years 1938 and 2038 on the Gregorian calendar, with a mistake on the ante-penultimate line. Note that this chart is based on an unnamed form of the Islamic calendar, and that there may be variances of one or even two days depending on local customs.
Muslims can normally predict the start of Ramadan since the Hilal, or crescent moon, appears one day after the new moon. However, many prefer to confirm the start of Ramadan by direct visual observation of the crescent.
Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Destiny
The night of Laylat al-Qadr is regarded as the holiest night of the year. It is thought to have happened on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan; the Dawoodi Bohra believe it was the twenty-third night of Ramadan.
Eid prayers and Eid al-Fitr
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which celebrates the conclusion of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal, the following lunar month, is celebrated after the viewing of a crescent new moon or the completion of thirty days of fasting if the moon cannot be seen. Eid signifies a return to a more natural way of eating, drinking, and marital intimacy.
Religious practices
Ramadan is a month of spiritual meditation, personal growth, and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are required to devote greater time and effort to following Islam’s teachings. The fasting period begins at sunrise and finishes at dusk. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, as well as sexual relations and immoral speech and behaviour. Fasting is thought to focus the heart away from materialistic pursuits, with the goal of purifying the soul by removing harmful impurities. Ramadan, Muslims believe, teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, promoting acts of generosity and mandated charity, or zakat.
Fasting during Ramadan
Ramadan is a month dedicated to spiritual reflection, personal development, and heightened devotion and prayer. Muslims are required to devote greater time and effort to following Islam’s teachings. The fasting period begins at sunrise and finishes at dusk. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, as well as sexual relations and immoral speech and behaviour. Fasting is thought to focus the heart away from materialistic pursuits, with the goal of purifying the soul by removing harmful impurities. Ramadan, Muslims believe, teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, promoting acts of generosity and mandated charity, or zakat.
Fasting, according to Muslims, fosters compassion for the poor who are food insecure.
Travel, menstruation, serious sickness, pregnancy, and lactation are all exceptions to the fasting rule. Despite the fact that fasting is not encouraged by hadith, many Muslims with physical issues insist on it to meet their spiritual demands. Those who are unable to fast must make up for the days missed later.
Sahar / Suhoor
Muslims eat a pre-fast meal called the sahar every day before dawn. Muslims begin Fajr, the first prayer of the day, after pausing for a brief period before dawn.
Iftar
Families break the fast with the iftar at sundown, with dates customarily served first to honour Muhammad’s habit of breaking the fast with three dates. They then go for Maghrib, the fourth of the five daily prayers, before the main meal is served.
At iftar, social gatherings are common, often in the form of buffets. Traditional meals, such as traditional sweets, are frequently featured, particularly those cooked solely during Ramadan. Water is normally the preferred beverage, however juice and milk, as well as soft drinks and caffeinated beverages, are frequently available.
Iftar is a meal in the Middle East that consists of water, juices, dates, salads, and appetisers; one or more main courses; and lavish sweets, with the dessert being the most significant part of the meal. Lamb cooked with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled veggies, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf are all popular main courses. Luqaimat, baklava, and kunafeh are examples of desserts.
At iftar, social gatherings are common, often in the form of buffets. Traditional meals, such as traditional sweets, are frequently featured, particularly those cooked solely during Ramadan. Water is normally the preferred beverage, however juice and milk, as well as soft drinks and caffeinated beverages, are frequently available.
Iftar has expanded throughout time into feasts that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of people. Every night, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s largest mosque, serves up to 30,000 people. Thousands of people gather at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad for iftar.
In the Imam Reza shrine, Iftar is served to fasting individuals, as well as Charity Zakt and Sadaqah.
Zakt, which is commonly translated as “the poor-rate,” is a specified proportion of one’s income that a believer is expected to pay to the needy as one of Islam’s pillars. Because Muslims believe that good acts are rewarded more generously during Ramadan than at any other time of the year, many Muslims pay a bigger percentage – or perhaps their whole annual zakt – during this month.
During the month of Ramadan, extra nocturnal prayers known as Tarawih are offered. They are not obligatory or fard.
The Quran is recited.
During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to read the complete Quran, which is divided into thirty juz’ or sections. Some Muslims include one juz’ recitation in each of the thirty tarawih sessions held during the month.
Ramadan is a month of spiritual meditation, personal growth, and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are required to devote greater time and effort to following Islam's teachings. The fasting period begins at sunrise and finishes at dusk. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, as well as sexual relations and immoral speech and behaviour. Fasting is thought to focus the heart away from materialistic pursuits, with the goal of purifying the soul by removing harmful impurities. Ramadan, Muslims believe, teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, promoting acts of generosity and mandated charity, or zakat.
Fasting during Ramadan
Ramadan is a month dedicated to spiritual reflection, personal development, and heightened devotion and prayer. Muslims are required to devote greater time and effort to following Islam's teachings. The fasting period begins at sunrise and finishes at dusk. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, as well as sexual relations and immoral speech and behaviour. Fasting is thought to focus the heart away from materialistic pursuits, with the goal of purifying the soul by removing harmful impurities. Ramadan, Muslims believe, teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, promoting acts of generosity and mandated charity, or zakat.
Fasting, according to Muslims, fosters compassion for the poor who are food insecure.
Travel, menstruation, serious sickness, pregnancy, and lactation are all exceptions to the fasting rule. Despite the fact that fasting is not encouraged by hadith, many Muslims with physical issues insist on it to meet their spiritual demands. Those who are unable to fast must make up for the days missed later.Sahar / Suhoor
Muslims eat a pre-fast meal called the sahar every day before dawn. Muslims begin Fajr, the first prayer of the day, after pausing for a brief period before dawn.
Iftar
Families break the fast with the iftar at sundown, with dates customarily served first to honour Muhammad's habit of breaking the fast with three dates. They then go for Maghrib, the fourth of the five daily prayers, before the main meal is served.
At iftar, social gatherings are common, often in the form of buffets. Traditional meals, such as traditional sweets, are frequently featured, particularly those cooked solely during Ramadan. Water is normally the preferred beverage, however juice and milk, as well as soft drinks and caffeinated beverages, are frequently available.
Iftar is a meal in the Middle East that consists of water, juices, dates, salads, and appetisers; one or more main courses; and lavish sweets, with the dessert being the most significant part of the meal. Lamb cooked with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled veggies, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf are all popular main courses. Luqaimat, baklava, and kunafeh are examples of desserts.
At iftar, social gatherings are common, often in the form of buffets. Traditional meals, such as traditional sweets, are frequently featured, particularly those cooked solely during Ramadan. Water is normally the preferred beverage, however juice and milk, as well as soft drinks and caffeinated beverages, are frequently available.
Iftar has expanded throughout time into feasts that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of people. Every night, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's largest mosque, serves up to 30,000 people. Thousands of people gather at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad for iftar.
In the Imam Reza shrine, Iftar is served to fasting individuals, as well as Charity Zakt and Sadaqah.
Zakt, which is commonly translated as "the poor-rate," is a specified proportion of one's income that a believer is expected to pay to the needy as one of Islam's pillars. Because Muslims believe that good acts are rewarded more generously during Ramadan than at any other time of the year, many Muslims pay a bigger percentage – or perhaps their whole annual zakt – during this month.
During the month of Ramadan, extra nocturnal prayers known as Tarawih are offered. They are not obligatory or fard.
The Quran is recited.
During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to read the complete Quran, which is divided into thirty juz' or sections. Some Muslims include one juz' recitation in each of the thirty tarawih sessions held during the month.
Ramadan is a month of spiritual meditation, personal growth, and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are required to devote greater time and effort to following Islam’s teachings. The fasting period begins at sunrise and finishes at dusk. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, as well as sexual relations and immoral speech and behaviour. Fasting is thought to focus the heart away from materialistic pursuits, with the goal of purifying the soul by removing harmful impurities. Ramadan, Muslims believe, teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, promoting acts of generosity and mandated charity, or zakat.
Fasting during Ramadan
Ramadan is a month dedicated to spiritual reflection, personal development, and heightened devotion and prayer. Muslims are required to devote greater time and effort to following Islam’s teachings. The fasting period begins at sunrise and finishes at dusk. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, as well as sexual relations and immoral speech and behaviour. Fasting is thought to focus the heart away from materialistic pursuits, with the goal of purifying the soul by removing harmful impurities. Ramadan, Muslims believe, teaches them self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, promoting acts of generosity and mandated charity, or zakat.
Fasting, according to Muslims, fosters compassion for the poor who are food insecure.
Travel, menstruation, serious sickness, pregnancy, and lactation are all exceptions to the fasting rule. Despite the fact that fasting is not encouraged by hadith, many Muslims with physical issues insist on it to meet their spiritual demands. Those who are unable to fast must make up for the days missed later.
Sahar / Suhoor
Muslims eat a pre-fast meal called the sahar every day before dawn. Muslims begin Fajr, the first prayer of the day, after pausing for a brief period before dawn.
Iftar
Families break the fast with the iftar at sundown, with dates customarily served first to honour Muhammad’s habit of breaking the fast with three dates. They then go for Maghrib, the fourth of the five daily prayers, before the main meal is served.
At iftar, social gatherings are common, often in the form of buffets. Traditional meals, such as traditional sweets, are frequently featured, particularly those cooked solely during Ramadan. Water is normally the preferred beverage, however juice and milk, as well as soft drinks and caffeinated beverages, are frequently available.
Iftar is a meal in the Middle East that consists of water, juices, dates, salads, and appetisers; one or more main courses; and lavish sweets, with the dessert being the most significant part of the meal. Lamb cooked with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled veggies, and roasted chicken served with chickpea-studded rice pilaf are all popular main courses. Luqaimat, baklava, and kunafeh are examples of desserts.
At iftar, social gatherings are common, often in the form of buffets. Traditional meals, such as traditional sweets, are frequently featured, particularly those cooked solely during Ramadan. Water is normally the preferred beverage, however juice and milk, as well as soft drinks and caffeinated beverages, are frequently available.
Iftar has expanded throughout time into feasts that may accommodate hundreds or even thousands of people. Every night, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s largest mosque, serves up to 30,000 people. Thousands of people gather at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad for iftar.
In the Imam Reza shrine, Iftar is served to fasting individuals, as well as Charity Zakt and Sadaqah.
Zakt, which is commonly translated as “the poor-rate,” is a specified proportion of one’s income that a believer is expected to pay to the needy as one of Islam’s pillars. Because Muslims believe that good acts are rewarded more generously during Ramadan than at any other time of the year, many Muslims pay a bigger percentage – or perhaps their whole annual zakt – during this month.
During the month of Ramadan, extra nocturnal prayers known as Tarawih are offered. They are not obligatory or fard.
The Quran is recited.
During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to read the complete Quran, which is divided into thirty juz’ or sections. Some Muslims include one juz’ recitation in each of the thirty tarawih sessions held during the month.
Health effects
Fasting during Ramadan has a variety of health implications. Fasting during Ramadan is considered safe for healthy people, but it might be dangerous for people who have certain pre-existing diseases. Fasting is not necessary for individuals who are sick, according to the majority of Islamic scholars. Fasting is also not required for the elderly or youngsters under the age of puberty. According to certain sources, pregnant or lactating women are also excused from fasting throughout Ramadan.
Ramadan has certain health advantages, including as improving insulin sensitivity and lowering insulin resistance. It has also been demonstrated that in subjects with a prior history of cardiovascular disease, there is a significant improvement in the 10-year coronary heart disease risk score and other cardiovascular risk factors such as lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, weight, BMI, and waist circumference. Fasting is typically connected with modest weight reduction, however weight might return when the fasting phase is over.
It is related with excessive food and drink consumption during Suhur and Iftar periods in many cultures, which may do more damage than benefit. Fasting during Ramadan is safe for healthy people who consume enough food and drink, but those with medical illnesses should seek medical counsel if they have health difficulties before or during the fast.
Berlin and the United Kingdom’s education administrations have sought to persuade students not to fast during Ramadan, claiming that not eating or drinking might lead to attention issues and poor marks.
Fasting during Ramadan, according to a study of the literature by an Iranian group, may cause renal harm in individuals with moderate (GFR 60 ml/min) or severe kidney illness, but not in renal transplant patients with excellent function or most stone-forming patients.
A study of 55 professional Algerian soccer players found that performance decreased considerably during Ramadan in terms of speed, agility, dribbling speed, and endurance, and that the majority of the players’ performance remained poor two weeks after Ramadan ended.