Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar and the holiest of the four holy months.
It begins with the sighting of the new moon after which all physically mature and healthy Muslims are obliged to abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of sexual contact between dawn and sunset.
However, that is merely the physical component of the fast; the spiritual aspects of the fast include refraining from gossiping, lying, slandering and all traits of bad character.
All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of thought and action is paramount. Ordained in the Koran, the fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of God-consciousness.
The act of fasting redirects the hearts away from worldly activities, towards The Divine.
The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends.
The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. It is common to have one meal(sehri) just before sunrise and another (known as the Iftar), directly after sunset.
This meal will commonly consist of dates, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him. Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, the fast will often be broken by different Muslim families coming together to share in an evening meal.
Ramadan derives from the Arabic root: ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness.
Since Muslims are commanded to fast during the month of Ramadan, it is believed that the month's name may refer to the heat of thirst and hunger, or because fasting burns away one's past sins.
The ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life.
Faith or belief in the Oneness of god and the finality of the prophet hood of Mohammed.
Establishment of the daily prayers.
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy.
Self purification through fasting.
The pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able
Muslims believe that God began revealing the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan in the year 610 C.E.
The Koran commands: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.
Ramadan is the month in which the Koran was sent down as a guide to mankind, also clear Signs for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).
So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting…" (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185). Fasting during Ramadan did not become an obligation for Muslims until 624 C.E., at which point it became the third of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Another aspect of Ramadan is that it is believed that one of the last few odd-numbered nights of the month is the Laylat ul-Qadr, the “Night of Power” or “Night of Destiny.” It is the holiest night of the holiest month; it is believed to be the night on which God first began revealing the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel).
This is a time for especially fervent and devoted prayer, and the rewards and blessings associated with such are manifold. Muslims are told in the Koran that praying throughout this one night is better than a thousand months of prayer. No one knows exactly which night it is; it is one of God's mysteries. Additionally, Muslims are urged to read the entire Koran during the month of Ramadan, and its 114 chapters have been divided into 30 equal parts(30 days of fast) for this purpose.
Eid Al-Fitr is the celebration that comes at the end of Ramadan. Eid Al-Fitr is all about celebrating the good things that we have received, God’s (Allah’s) bounty and our family and friends.
Every household who can afford it must pay a form of tax in the days leading up to Eid. It is a very small amount, and is paid for each person in the family. Traditionally the tax was in the form of food, although most people now give the equivalent in money. The money or food is given to poor people, so that they can celebrate Eid, too.
On the morning of Eid, everyone gets up very early to go to the prayers. These are special prayers, held only at Eid. After the prayers everyone goes home to a big feast and then the celebrations really begin .Children receive gifts everyone wears new clothes and visit family and friends, celebrations usually last for three days.
