| Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. The Islamic calendar
, like the solar calendar has twelve months. The islamic calendar is based on the moon (Lunar) , while the solar calendar is based on the sun (Solar.)
The solar calendar months are made of 30 or 31 days except for February. The Lunar calendar months are made of 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is sometimes 29 days and sometimes 30 days.
Ramadan is a very important months for the submitters (Muslims in Arabic).
Its name is mentioned in the Quran in Sura 2, verse 185.
Sura 2 is the longest sura in the Quran.
Ramadan is the month of fasting during which the Muslims (Submitters)
do their fasting as ordered by God in the Quran.
"....Those of you who witness this month
shall fast therein...." 2
:185
Ramadan is also the month during which the Quran was given (revealed) to the prophet Muhammed.
{Quran}
"Ramadan is the month during which the Quran
was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear
teachings, and the statute book.
"
2:185
Ramadan has one of the most blessed night of the whole year, the night
of power or night of destiny, called in Arabic Lailat Al-Qadr. It is celebrated on the 27th night of Ramadan.
{Quran}
"The Night of Destiny is better than a
thousand months." [97:3]
Fasting means to stop eating and drinking during the time of the fast. Fasting begins at Dawn and ends at sunset. Dawn is the time of the day
which is about one hour before sun rise and is the beginning of the first light in the dark sky of the night.
".....You may eat and drink until the white
thread of light becomes distinguishable
from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall
fast until sunset. ....."
[2:187]
If you are too young, you may not fast Ramadan. You have to wait until you are old enough to fast without hurting yourself.
You can ask your parents for a permission to fast part of the day for practice, until you are old enough to fast the whole day like the grown ups.
People who are sick or traveling a long distance that will make
them very tired, may break fasting. They will have to fast the same number
of days later after Ramadan.
Believers who are too old to fast will pay charity to a poor person for every day they cannot fast. God therefore will bless them and will help the poor in their living.
Fasting has many benefits to the believers. Like all the religious practices in Islam (Submission), fasting will make the believer stronger as a believer, closer to God, more blessed and happier to be with God and to obey Him.
Fasting teaches the believer self control because the fasting submitter controls his or her desire or need to
drink or eat during the fasting period. People who learn self control can resist wrong doing or temptation
to follow their friends or peers just to avoid embarrassment or to be like everyone else.
Fasting gives the believers a chance to feel what a hungry needy person feels when he or she does not have any food to eat.
The believers can understand the importance of giving to charity and helping the hungry and needy people
Fasting is a healthy practice because it gives the body a chance to rest and get rid of some unwanted weight or materials in our body system.
Ramadan is the month of the revelation of the Quran and it is one of the best time of the year for the whole family to get together and study more Quran and learn their religion.
Doing our fasting with the rest of all the believers in the world brings a feeling of unity and strength to all the submitters (Muslims in Arabic) in the world. Fasting together strengthens the whole family and makes them feel closer. God's approval is the best reward for doing fasting. God does not need our fasting. All the benefits of fasting is for us and for our sake and we should thank God for them.
Quran
[2:183]
O you who believe, fasting
is decreed for you, as it was
decreed for those before
you, that you may attain
salvation.
[2:184]
Specific days (are designated for fasting);
if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other
days may be
substituted. Those who can fast, but with
great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor
person for each day of breaking the fast. If one volunteers
(more righteous works), it is better. But fasting
is the best for you, if you only knew.
[2:185]
Ramadan is the month during which the Quran
was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear
teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness
this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or
traveling may substitute the same number of other days.
GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you
may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding
you, and to express your appreciation.
[2:186]
When My servants ask you about Me, I am
always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me.
The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in
order to be guided.
[2:187]
......... You may eat and drink until the
white thread of light becomes distinguishable
from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then,
you shall fast until sunset. ............
Chapter 97
In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[97:1] We revealed it in the Night of Destiny.*
[97:2] How awesome is the Night of Destiny!
[97:3] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months.
[97:4] The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord's leave,
to carry out every command.
[97:5] Peaceful it is until the advent of the dawn.
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