Muslims Celebrate Ramazan As Spiritual Discipline, Compassion And Means Of Salvation

By Safia Malik, New Age Islam 14 March 2024 This Is The Month When The Holy Qur'an Is Believed To Have Been Sent To Men And Women "As A Guide, A Means Of Guidance, And A Means Of Salvation." ----- Muslims consider Ramadan to be one of the most sacred times of the year. It is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. This is the month when the Holy Qur'an is believed to have been sent to men and women "as a guide, a means of guidance, and a means of salvation." During this month, Muslims fast strictly from dawn to sunset. They are not allowed to eat or drink (even water) during the day. Fasting is a form of worship that helps people get closer to God, a form of spiritual discipline, and an act of compassion for those in need. Prayer and Iftar feast mark the end of every day’s fast. Visiting family and friends after Iftar is a tradition. Ramadan comes to an end, and Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in order to mark the end of fasting. It is a season when people come together for feasts and presents. In addition, it is a tradition to bestow unique presents upon the needy. Let us have a more detailed insight into everything connected with Ramadan, including the ones who are exempt from fasting and other cultural and religious practices typical of this month. What is Ramadan? First, it is important to review the definition of Ramadan so that one can understand the rules for Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to have received the Qur'an and the words of Allah (SWT) for the first time during Ramadan. Throughout the subsequent years, Ramadan revelations were disclosed to the Prophet (PBUH) in accordance with Sawm, the fourth pillar of Islam. In addition to observing Sawm, every Muslim must adhere to the five pillars of Islam, which are the core values of Islam. When translated into English, the word Sawm means fasting. Ramadan is the period during which this is done. What is The Date of Ramadan? The Ramadan is the Ninth Month of Islamic Calendar. Based on the lunar calendar, the dates of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar vary by approximately 10 days every year. Even though the dates of Ramadan fluctuate, Muslims always begin the fast between the sighting of the ninth and the tenth new moon. In some regions of the world, Ramadan might occur during the summer months and in others during the winter. What Are the Ways Muslims Celebrate Ramadan? It is customary for Muslims to fast between sunrise and sunset. By fasting, Muslims learn patience, mindfulness of the plight of the poor throughout the world, and devotion to their faith. In Ramadan, we eat two meals: a meal known as Iftar, which is eaten as soon as the sun sets, and a meal known as Suhoor, which is eaten before sunrise. The month of Ramadan is a time of giving up bad habits for Muslims. Ramadan is an opportunity for us to be closer to our Lord through prayers, good deeds, spending time with family and friends, and helping those in need. Ramadan is a time when we strive to read the full Qur'an, and men attend all prayers at the mosque during the month. Laylat al-Qadr is another night that occurs during Ramadan. Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, falls during one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is considered the night when Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran. Special prayers and acts of worship are performed during Laylat al-Qadr, as it is believed to be a night of great spiritual significance and divine blessings. A big celebration takes place after Ramadan, called Eid ul-Fitr. This is a festival in which we break our fast and give thanks to Allah for the strength he provided us during the previous month. What Can’t You Do During Ramadan? The goal of Ramadan is to fulfil the fourth pillar of Islam, Sawm. During the Holy Month, Muslims are prohibited from eating or drinking during daylight hours. Although this is undoubtedly the most important aspect of Ramadan, there are also several other things one should abstain from during this period, including: ● Using swear words ● Lying ● Arguments and fighting ● Participation in sexual activities In accordance with Ramadan's eating rules, food and drink are not permitted during daylight hours. During Ramadan, Muslims are not permitted to consume even water. In order to cleanse their minds and souls, Muslims must abstain from impure activities and thoughts. Ramadan’s eating rules allow you to devote considerably more time to the Quran, strengthen your relationship with Allah (SWT), and be empathetic towards those less fortunate. Does Everyone Observe Ramadan? In spite of the fact that Ramadan is a core component of Islam, it may not be possible for everyone to participate. Thus, there is a list of individuals who are exempt from fasting physically. The following are a few of them: ● The elderly ● People with fragile health ● People who are sick or taking medications for a medical condition ● Women who are pregnant ● Breastfeeding women A woman who menstruates during Ramadan must halt her fast, in addition to the above categories, and is considered to be legitimately exempt from continuing the fast should she menstruate. As well, Ramadan traveling rules permit individuals to pause their fast while they are traveling. Diverse Practices in Ramadan Worldwide Depending on the individual's beliefs, some may start and/or end Ramadan on dates that differ from others, mainly due to their belief in different sects. There may also be differences between interpretive schools regarding the start and end of fasting on a daily basis. This is why it is not uncommon for some Muslims to break their fast immediately following sundown, while others delay their break for up to 10 minutes or more. It is generally better not to ask individuals whether they are fasting since the reasons for not fasting may be very private and personal. As fast-breaking foods, dates and milk have religious roots; however, Ramadan cuisine is extremely varied culturally. In some cultures, the pre-dawn meal constitutes the largest and heartiest meal of the day, while others prefer lighter, fast-breaking meals. In other cultures, large, fast-breaking meals may only be observed before dawn. There is a culinary "nightlife" emerging in some contemporary cultures in which restaurants, cafes, and bars remain open throughout the night. Observances of Ramadan are also shaped by culture beyond fasting and breaking of fasts. For some, fasting may be their primary observance. Others may see it as a time to socialize, visit family and friends, and increase their worship activities, including prayer and recitation of the Qur'an. Both the manner and degree of observance exhibit significant differences. ● Ramadan presents different challenges to each individual. ● Fasting may be temporary or permanent for some people. ● It can be uncomfortable to ask someone if they are fasting for a variety of reasons. ● It is permissible to break one's fast in the event of a health emergency. What Happens if a Person Fails to Observe Fast? If you belong to one of the above groups, you are responsible for paying Fidya. If one cannot fast during Ramadan or misses a day or days during the month, it is suggested that one makes up the fast at a later time. People who are unable to make up their fast during the year may make a charitable donation in lieu of their Fidya. Fidya rates vary year to year based on the cost of basic staple foods but usually amount to about £5 per missed fast. In Fidya, one full day's worth of food is provided for one hungry person, and it should be paid before a missed fast or at any other time in Ramadan. When you intentionally break your fast during Ramadan and do not fall into one of the categories mentioned above, you must pay Kaffarah. The Kaffarah rate corresponds to the cost of feeding 60 people for every day missed. Fidya is £5 per missed Sawm day, so if a Muslim miss one without explanation, he or she must either pay £300 or fast for 60 days straight. Should you break your fast during these 60 days, you will need to start your Kaffarah again from the beginning. It is forbidden to make up any missed fasting days during Eid, regardless of whether you are required to pay Fidya or Kaffarah. There is no restriction on when you can make up the days, except on the occasion of Eid. What is Fitrana? Muslims must also make a charitable payment known as Fitrana if their food expenditures exceed their means. In the past, people have measured how much food they had beyond their means using a unit called 'Sa. An equivalent amount of this would be approximately 3 kg of basic staple foods such as wheat. In the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), at the beginning of Ramadan, those who had food beyond their means donated one ‘Sa to those in need. The Fitrana is now usually paid to a charity, such as Muslim Aid, which distributes food to those in need. Despite the slight differences from Ramadan's original history in Islam, it still carries forward the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by giving to the less fortunate. Conclusion Ramadan is among the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for Muslims to observe it to get closer to Allah and remain steadfast in their faith. The practices and rituals during this time contribute to a sense of community, self-discipline, and a deepening of faith. We hope you have learned everything there is to know about Ramadan and will teach it to others as well. ----- Safia Malik is an an experienced SEO optimised Content and Copy Writer. She contributed this article to newageislam.com. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/ramazan-spiritual-discipline-compassion-salvation/d/131917 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism