Ramadan on the Net - The Fast of Ramadan

The Fast of Ramadan

Ramadan 2009: Saturday, August 22nd

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a guidance 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 and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of 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 or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. 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 plainly distinguish 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 considered offensive 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 studying the 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 either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th day* of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that 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.

*(According to Wikipedia: "Laylat al-Qadr is to be found in the last 10 nights of Ramadan. There is no history in the Quran as to when the specific date is... What directs us to this is the Prophet's :saw: saying: "Look for it (i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) when there remain nine nights, when there remains seven nights, or when there remains five nights (i.e. 21st, 23 rd, 25th, 27th and 29th."))

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 Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to celebrate the end of the Fast of Ramadan.

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Comments

Travis from California, US

21:05 11/09/2009

Helped alot on my study on religion!

Jolene from Georgia

09:05 11/09/2009

This is pretty cool. It helped me with a class assignment. I've seen something about this on TV before, but it wasn't as indepth(?) as this was. Thanks! :)

Saja from Ohio, US

08:50 11/09/2009

I start fasting when I was 6 years old,and I love fasting because it makes me more healthy

shebar from Australia

03:30 11/09/2009

try to make it longer and more intreasing still a very nice writing

ali tenine from Tunisia

12:49 11/06/2009

i love ramadane

tommy from Massachusetts, US

10:46 10/22/2009

this is very kool to riight something on here tahha pce outt

lf from Canada

11:51 10/10/2009

Actually Mr.Warren, when Catholics celebrate Easter they are celebrating the ressurection of Jesus on the third day, not some pagean festival. I agree with Vicky, we should not be constantly criticizing other faiths and trying to convert, there will always be difference of opinion but that isn't a call for insult and fighting. Would God (of whatever name), the one God, approve of bickering over semantics? The next time you find yourself about to argue or scoff at someone elses believes in life with God ask yourself, What Would Jesus Do? I doubt the answer will be wage a self-rightous crusade for beliefs more or less shared with your "opponent"!

simran from Texas, US

23:02 09/27/2009

i am only 11 years old and i fasted the whole month

ali mazhin from California, US

20:06 09/25/2009

Hi I am not in the navy or army as said for the golden gate university.

yongxuanlee

01:57 09/20/2009

see a story

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