History and significance
During the period of Ramzan or Ramdan,
millions of Muslims fast for a month every year. It is one of the most
important festivals of the Islamic calendar.
Ramzan is the ninth month of the
Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims. It is one of the most important
observances for the Muslim community. During the period of Ramzan, that extends
between 29-30 days, believers spend their time fasting, praying, giving back to
the community and introspecting. According to Islam, Ramzan celebrates the
first time when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad and is one of the
Five Pillars of Islam. The five pillars are Shahada (profession of faith),
Salat (Prayer), Zakat (Almsgiving), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage).
Ramzan will start depending on the
sighting of the crescent moon during this period. The date for Ramzan changes
yearly because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Only after the
crescent moon has been seen does the holy month begin. The Association of
Islamic Charitable Projects says that crescent of Ramzan should be observed
post the sunset of the 29th day of Sha’ban (the month preceding Ramzan). In
case the moon is not sighted, Ramzan shall start 30 days after Sha’ban.
The word Ramzan is derived from
the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means ‘scorching heat.’ Ramzan takes
place for 720 hours, which is four weeks and two days. During the period of Ramzan,
Muslims fast between dawn and sunset.
It is compulsory for adult Muslims
to fast, barring a few exceptions. Those who are seriously ill, travelling
somewhere, very old, pregnant, have diabetes or menstruating do not need to
take part in the fast, and can compensate later if they feel up to it.
‘Thawab’ is what the spiritual
rewards of fasting are known as, and it is believed that these rewards multiply
during the period of Ramzan. During this period, Muslims stay away from food
and drink, smoking, sexual activities and any sinful behaviour, and instead
focus more on prayer, self-reform, charity and taqwa, which is heightened
awareness of Allah. Suhoor, or sehri, is the predawn meal is referred
to as suhur, before the call for the
morning pray, Fajr, and iftar is the nightly feast that breaks
the fast after the evening prayer, Maghrib.
Once the call to Maghrib or
evening prayer is heard, a small prayer is said by Muslims who break their fast
with water and dates. Post this, they pray Maghrib salat and break their fast
with a lavish feast.
When Ramzan starts, Muslims begin
praying day and night and fast during the day. They believe that when Ramzan
arrives, the gates of Jannah
(Paradise) are opened and the gates of Jahannum
(hell) are locked up and devils are put in chains.
Special evening prayers called taraweeh are held during which portions
from the Quran are recited. During the end of Ramzan, intense prayers take
place during the Laylatul Qadr or the
Night of Power, which is believed to be the holiest night of the year.
It generally falls on the 27th day
of Ramzan and is a commemoration of the night when the Quran was first revealed
to the Prophet Muhamad. The end of Ramzan is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr. Shawwal is the starting of the next month, and
translated it means, ‘festival of breaking of the fast.’
All over the world, Eid is celebrated by Muslims with a lot of enthusiasm, where people buy new clothes and visit their friends and relatives. Food items such as biryani and kebabs are cooked and deserts like sevaiyan are cooked in milk, nuts and spices. Muslims adorn their houses with lights and decorate it to bid goodbye to the holy month of Ramzan.