Ramadan
2006
Ramadan will begin on September 23, 2006 for all of the United States, God willing.
The last day of Ramadan will be October 22, 2006 . To verify your city's first day of Ramadan, check on the time
of the sunset and the time of the birth of the New Moon at
the USA Naval Observatory. If the
new moon is born before the sunset you will fast next morning for the first
day of fasting. To convert the Universal time to your
local time, please click here. Night of Destiny, starts at the sunset of
October 18, 2006..
Ramadan for the years 2006 to 2007
First Day 2006 : 09/23/2006
Last Day
2006: 10/22/2006
First Day 2007: 09/12/2007
Last Day 2007: 10/11/2007
The Falsehood of Moon Sighting
God never
commanded that the moon be sighted with the naked eyes to know the
beginning of the new month. Quran is very clear that any method of
calculation is acceptable. A search for
Meton in any search engine
or encyclopedia will demonstrate that man knew the birth of new moon by
calculation since 5th century B.C. Certainly this information was available
at the time of Muhammad and even Abraham, to whom all religious duties were
revealed.
The sighting of the new moon is a fabrication of the scholars. The observer
of Ramadan in the last few years can easily spot the abuse and lies
used by some of the so called Islamic countries of the sighting method.
Politics and personal desires replaced science and accurate
calculations in determining the first day of Ramadan. Thank God Almighty,
we can have our calendar as accurate as an atomic clock for the next several
hundred years.
For more information see our file Islamic
Calendar.
Quran Verses about Ramadan & Fasting
[2:183] O you who believe, fasting is decreed for
you, as it was
decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.
2:183-187. Like all duties in Submission,
fasting was decreed through Abraham
(22:78).
Prior to revelation of the Quran, sexual
intercourse was prohibited throughout
the fasting period. This rule is modified
in 2:187 to allow intercourse during the
nights of
Ramadan.
[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] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse
with your wives
during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of
your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets.
GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has
redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may
have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has
permitted for you. 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. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to
retreat to the Masjid (during the last ten days of
Ramadan). These are GOD's laws; you shall not transgress
them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people,
that they may attain salvation.
The Meaning of Ramadan
Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one
billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner
reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as
a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. There are as many
meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims.
The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam
(submission in English), fasting has many special benefits. Among
these, the most important is that it is a means of learning
self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction
of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of
ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means
of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship,
reading of the Quran, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and
doing good deeds. For Muslims (Submitters), Ramadan is an
opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by going without and to
grow stronger by enduring weakness.
As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing
hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to
thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is
also
beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of
rigid habits or overindulgence.
Who Fasts in Ramadan?
Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory on those who can
do it. . Sick people and some travelers in certain conditions are
exempted from the fast but must make it up as they are able.
From Dawn to Sunset
The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of
dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between -- that is, during
the dawn and daylight hours -- Muslims (Submitters) totally abstain
from food, drink, smoking, and sex. The usual practice is to have a
pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar) after
sunset.
The Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days
shorter than the Gregorian calendar, migrates throughout the seasons.
Thus, if Ramadan begins on January 20 one year, next year it will
begin on January 9. In this way, the length of the day, and thus the
fasting period, varies in length from place to place over the years.
Every Muslim, no matter where he or she lives, will see an average
Ramadan day of the approximately 13.5 hours.
Devotion to God
The last ten days of Ramadan are a time of special
spiritual power as everyone tries to come closer to God through
devotions and good deeds. The night on which the Quran was revealed to
the Prophet, known as the Night of Power (Lailat ul-Qadr), is
generally taken to be the 27th night of the month. The Quran states
that this night is better than a thousand months. Therefore many
Muslims (Submitters) spend the entire night in prayer.
During the month, Muslims (Submitters) try to read as
much of the Quran as they can. Some spend part of their day listening
to the recitation of the Quran in a mosque. meet for Quranic studies
or for congregation prayers. Some spend the last ten days of Ramadan
in a mosque devoting the whole ten days for worshipping God.
Better than a 1000 months
[97:1] We revealed it (Quran) 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.
Food in Ramadan
Since Ramadan is a special time, Muslims
(Submitters) in many parts of the world prepare certain
favorite
foods during this month. Since Ramadan emphasizes community
aspects and since everyone eats dinner at the same time, Muslims often
invite one another to share in the Ramadan evening meal.
Some Muslims (Submitters) find that they eat less for
dinner during Ramadan than at other times due to stomach contraction.
However, as a rule, most Muslims experience little fatigue during the
day since the body becomes used to the altered routine during the
first week of Ramadan.
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