FACTS OF RAMADAN

FASTING
Assalamualaikum
The Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. TheMonth of Ramadan
isalso when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven,
aguidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of
Salvation"
It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of
Ramadan andlasts the entire month. Ramadan is atime when Muslims
concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concernsof their
everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation
During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily
lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat ordrink during the
daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during
fasting. At the end ofthe day the fast is broken with prayer and a
meal called theiftar. In the evening following the iftar it is
customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast
is resumed the next morning
According to the Holy Quran:
One may eat and drink at any time during the night"until you can
plainlydistinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight:
then keep the fast until night"
The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things -
the telling of a lie
slander
denouncing someone behind his back
a false oath
greed or covetousness
These are consideredoffensive at all times,but are most offensive
during the Fast of Ramadan
During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque)
and spend several hours praying and studyingthe Quran. In addition to
the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer
called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer
is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend
the entire night in prayer
On the evening of the 27th day of the month, Muslims celebrate the
Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believedthat on this night
Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And
according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the
world for the following year
When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is
celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of
FastBreaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray
in congregationand for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to
celebrate the end of the Fast ofRamadan.
Special Characteristics of Ramadan
1. Observing the fourth pillar of Islam has been prescribed during
this month, and it is one of the best means by whicha person attains
piety and forgiveness of sins.
2. The first revelationof the Qur'an as guidance for humanity was
given to the Prophet (pbuh) during this month.
3. The sunnah of performing the tarawih prayer is observed during this month.
4. Ramadan containsLaylatul-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months.
5. The great battle ofBadr between the Muslims and the unbelievers
took place during Ramadan in the second year of the Hijrah.
6. The Muslims re-entered Makkah victorious during Ramadan in the
eighth year of the Hijrah. After this conquest people began to enter
the fold of Islam in multitudes, and Makkah became free of polytheism
and evil.
Benefits from Ramadan
1. It strengthens one's ties with Allah and trains the soul toobserve
duties of devotion in accordance with the teachings of the Qur'an and
Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).
2. It enforces patience and determination in theMuslim individual.
3. It promotes the principle of sincerity by keeping the Muslim away
from arrogance and showing off, since it is an act between the
individual and his Creator.
4. It promotes good character, particularly truthfulness and trust-worthiness.
5. It encourages the Muslim to do away with bad habits and change
his/her circumstances for the better.
6. It enhances generosity, hospitality, and spending on charitable causes.
7. It reinforces feelings of unity and brotherhood among Muslims.
8. It instills orderliness and closeobservance of the value of time.
9. It serves as an opportunity for children to perform acts of
obedience and to practice Islamic acts of worship.
10. It offers a chanceto balance one's attention to both physical and
spiritualneeds.