Of the twelve months in the lunar year, Ramadan is the only one whose name has appeared in the Holy Quran, and Allah has also mentioned its importance. The days and nights of this holy month carry Allah’s blessings, mercy and forgiveness, and hence, are unparalleled to the days and nights of any other month in the year.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) always instructed his companions to spend every moment of this holy month in Allah’s praise and worship. On one occasion, the Hole Prophet (S.A.W) gave a complete sermon (khutba) to his companions to welcome the Ramadan. This sermon was given on the last Friday of Sha’baan, upon the advent of Ramadan, from the prayer’s pulpit (the prophet’s minbar). This sermon can be found in the book of Al-Sadooq who narrated it. This narration is based on the authority of Imam al-Rida who narrated it upon the authority of his forefathers. In this article, we take an overview of this sermon and the main points laid down by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) in this sermon.

The Prophet’s (S.A.W) sermon began with words about the importance of the then approaching month of Ramadan. These words were meant to make Muslims realize the importance of the opportunity they were placed within this month. This is the opportunity for mental cleansing which leads to piety and virtuousness. The Holy Prophet began his sermon as follows:

“O people! A month has approached you laden with blessing, mercy and forgiveness; it is a month which Almighty Allah regards as the best of all months. Its days, in the sight of Almighty Allah, are the best of days, its nights are the best of nights, its hours are the best of hours.”

In this statement, the Hole Prophet (S.A.W) also told that the first ten days (decade) are for mercy, the next ten days are for forgiveness and the last ten days are for freedom from hell.

In the second part of the sermon, the Holy Prophet emphasized on the practices that Muslims should adopt during this month. The Holy Prophet said:

“… you must invoke your Lord in all earnestness with hearts free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah may help you to keep fast, and to recite the Holy Qur’an. Indeed!, miserable is the o­ne who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst o­n the Day of Judgment. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard.”

Most animals are similar in the way their bodies work physically. In all the animals, food is digested in a similar way and air intake occurs through a similar process. Energy generation, movement and all other bodily functions occur in a similar manner.

What makes humans unique as a race is the fact that their minds are much more developed. Scientists have always connected the functioning of human mind to the processes that occur in the human brain. Unlike animal minds, human minds do not just gather information about food, water and shelter and process it accordingly to reach these things. Human mind carries the powers of visualization and reflection. In this article, we will discuss the possible effects of religious fasting on the human brain.

According to researches carried out at the National Institute of Aging in Baltimore, fasting can help people with mental conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Fasting for one or two days per week can even help people with perfectly sound brain operations. Professor Mark Mattson who is a professor of neuroscience at a leading medical school in the U.S was the lead author of this study. A great part of the study was based on the comparison of humans to other animals, and a lot of deductions of the study were drawn from an analysis of the specific effects produced by different actions in the other animals.

The results of the study were striking. Scientists who carried out this study have compared the effects of a cut on human food (energy) intake on the human brain cells as the effects of exercise on the muscle cells. Although most people think that a carefully crafted and properly controlled diet plan that runs throughout the week is a great way of losing weight. This continuous dieting, however, can affect the brain and some hormones in the body adversely. Scientists who carried out this study suggest that intermittent breaks from meals for one or two days per week work better than continuous dieting plans, because these ‘fasting’ plans help improve the functioning of the brain.

In the following, a few positive impacts of fasting on brain are enlisted:

-          Short term fasting induces an increase in neural autophagy

-          Boost in the production of ketones

-          Reduction in risk of trauma, stroke and depression

-          Calorie restriction through intermittent fasting reduces the risks of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.

In some animals, restriction of calorie intake results evidently in a prolonging of lifespan, and most scientists believe that the same is true for humans. However, no concrete evidence of this has been furnished yet.

Religious fasting may help us to not only become better human beings, but also to improve our physical and mental fitness.

“Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint“.

In the month of Ramadan Allah alters the rewards of our deeds. He rewards a Nafl prayer with the reward of an obligatory Farz prayer and increases the reward of a good deed seventy times. A person seeking forgiveness is granted forgiveness and Muslim community is rewarded with the day of Eid for keeping fasts throughout this month. However, abstaining from sins is just as important as committing good deeds.

Allah dislike sins and committing sins in the holy month of Ramadan is even more disliked. Committing a single sin in this month is equivalent to committing seventy sins in any other month. In this way Allah discourages believers from sins and at the same time Allah encourages them to seek forgiveness from their past sins. A hadith says “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Furthermore, in this month Muslims are obliged to observe fasts. Fasting in Islam is not merely abstaining from food and drink; it is also abstaining from any wrongdoing, in general. If a Muslim does not anything from dawn till dusk but takes or any other haram activity Allah does not accepts his fast so when a believer keeps a fast he gets bound to keep himself away from sins. Not only, he has to avoid all haram activities but also control his temperament.

If a Muslim keeps a fast he cannot abusive or insulting language against anyone, also he cannot harm anyone by his hands if he does he violates the basic rules and regulations of the fast. Generally, any individual uses his hands against others when he is in angry so when Muslims keep a fast, they ought to control their anger. In this way fasting teaches Muslims to control their diet and anger thereby learning self-restraint.

In a nut shell, all sources of Islam clarify the fast that fasting makes all believers control their anger and remain away from sins. Allah has used fasting as a tool so that all believers learn self-restraint i.e. they learn to control themselves from evils and Allah gives Muslims several incentives so that they may start following the right path. The following hadith further clarifies the point; it says “One day of fasting keeps a person away from hell 80 years”.

All Muslims are promised a handsome reward by Allah if they surf their abilities in serving Allah and His mankind. This is why Ramadan is always seen as a great opportunity in all Muslim community.

Ramadan is ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered to be the holiest of all. In Quran and Hadith, there are several verses quoting the significance of the Ramadan. All Muslims believe that this month provides them with an ideal opportunity to fight the evil spirit and get uncountable virtue. This is because, firstly, in the month of Ramadan Allah fetters Satan and as a consequence Satan cannot whisper bad ideas in the minds of believers. Secondly, as all Muslims observe fasting so they spontaneously learn tolerance and patience. Fasting also teaches them how to learn self-restraint.

Allah declares this learning of self-restraint the purpose of fasting, the Quran says:

“Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint. “

In this way the month of Ramadan serves as the training platform for fight against evil, as individuals learn self-restraint, commit good deeds and follow the right path. This makes the person a stronger believer and even when the Satan is set free again, the Satan does not finds it easier to make a believer indulge in any wrongdoing. Ramadan purifies believers spiritually as Allah forgives the mistakes of believer and awards them with great reward for their good actions.

Furthermore, Muslims are also blessed with the uncountable virtue in this month. Allah blesses believers seventy times more than he blesses them, for the same deed, in other months. A Nafl prayer is rewarded with a reward equivalent to Farz prayer and Farz prayer is rewarded with the reward of 70 Farz prayers.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Such are the blessings of Allah in this month and hence it can be concluded that Ramadan is the key to defeat evil spirit and avail uncountable virtue.

Have you ever repented on your poor behavior with anyone? Have you ever wanted to control your anger? Have you ever wished to gain patience to avoid this anger? If yes, Ramadan comes as a perfect solution for you. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar and the whole year for Muslims revolves around this one month.

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for Muslims, but this fasting is not meant to test them physically, but it is meant to prepare them for the mercy, blessings and forgiveness which form the essence of this month. To understand this you must be aware of the basic rules and regulations of a fast. This short essay will brief you about these rules and it will present an overview of how to use this Holy month for acquiring patience and tolerance.

Let us first understand what patience is, essentially. Shams Tabrezi, a famous Muslim scholar, defines patience as follows:

“Patience is not sitting and waiting, it is foreseeing. It is looking at the thorn and seeing the rose, looking at the night and seeing the day. Lovers are patient and know that the moon needs time to become full.”

This is what a Muslim exactly does in fast, it’s not that he cannot feel material instincts; it’s just that he is waiting for the dusk.

Allah says in the Holy Quran

“Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint”.

In the light of this verse it can be concluded that the sole purpose of fasting is to make an individual learn self-restraint. The fundamental rules of fasting in this month are meant to extend the control if human mind over human instincts like food, hunger, sex, anger and frustration. Abstinence from all these things creates an individual who spreads love and tolerance at all times, and practices self-restraint to prevent anger or material desires to overtake his intent.

While fasting, a Muslim has to wait from dawn to dusk to eat or drink anything. He bears this hardship patiently just to acquire the love, mercy, forgiveness and blessings of Almighty Allah. He refrains from abusing or insulting anyone no matter how much angry he is. At times, he bears the misconduct of others but does not use his hand or tongue to act against it since Allah has not allowed this in fasting. He looks for divine justice or forgives the other person, but never commits any wrongdoing since he has to obey the commandments of Allah. All these things actually make him learn patience and tolerance. Not only, he learns them but also applies them during a fast. In everyday life, a man is likely to lose his temper occasionally. However, during fasting since he has to abide by the rules and regulations of the fast so he holds his temper

Thus, it can safely be concluded that Ramadan provides individuals with an ideal opportunity to learn and practice tolerance and patience.

At the end of Ramadan, Allah blesses the believers with the festival of Eid. Eid follows the month of Ramadan, and it is purely a reward for those Muslims who observed fasting and pushed their material instincts under control during Ramadan, to attain a state of greater mental purity. This Eid is known as EidUlFitr, which is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal.
When the month of Ramadan ends, Allah asks the believers to celebrate.It must be ensured that the underprivileged are kept a part ofEid celebrations. Therefore, Muslims distribute ‘Fitrana’ before Eid. Fitrana is a special charity donated at the end of Ramadan amongst poor people so that they can enjoy Eid in a similar manner as the rich.
It is narrated that the Holy Prophet would not sleep in the night before Eid. That night is termed as the night of reward so it is desirable to offer Nawafil prayers and pray to Almighty Allah.One can also engage in other forms of worship, for example, recite of Holy Quran. Muslims start their Eid day by offering a special Eid prayer. This Eid prayer must be offered any time between the Fajr and Zuhr prayer. However, many Muslim scholars suggest that the Prayer should not be delayed and should be offered early morning.

Ideally, Fitrana should be paid before the commencement of Eid prayer, to allow the poor with ample time to buy new clothes and food stuff. Eid prayers are congregational prayers; therefore they are a symbol of unity in Muslims.This prayer help in laying down a relationship of brotherhood as all Muslims, whether poor or rich, stand shoulder to shoulder with one another and offer the prayer.

Eid day is reward for Muslims, and Muslims are forbidden to fast on this day. It is narrated that “Allah’s messenger prohibited two fasts: Fasting the day of Adha and the day of Fitr”. Muslims are not supposed to offer any Nawafil after or before the Eid prayer as well, as the messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S.A.W) never practiced this in his life.

This Eid is the happiest day for Muslims around the world as they celebrate finally after their one month long hardships.

Ramadan is a month of special significance to Muslims because of a number of reasons. It is the month in which the holy Quran was revealed to the final Prophet of Allah and this is the month which is home to the Lail-at-ul-Qadar. Allah rewards believers seventy times more for a good deed than in any other month; the reward of Nafl prayer is raised to the reward of a Farz prayer and the reward of keeping a single fast in this month is more than the reward of keeping fasts in the entire year. Such are the blessings of God during this Holy month. To make things further convenient for believers, Allah orders to fetter the Satan and to close the doors of hell.

Ramadan is truly the month of spiritual purification as it provides every individual with a chance to purify him from the wrongdoings he commits during the entire year. Fasting in the month of Ramadan requires Muslims to practice self-restraint as Allah says in the Holy Quran “Fasting has been prescribed to you as it was prescribed to nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint“. This verse also suggests that fasting is an article inherited from the previous Sharias.

The month of Ramadan has been divided in three different decades.  Ashra is the Arabic term for a decade (a period of ten days). Each decade has its own significance and its own purpose. The first decade is the decade of Mercy, the second decade is the decade of Forgiveness and the last decade is the decade for freedom from the hell fire.

At the end of Ramadan comes the day of Eid – the day of joy and celebrations – on the first of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan. Muslims are rewarded with this day as a reward of their profound worship during the holy month of Ramadan. Allah asks Muslims to celebrate the day of Eid with liveliness, joy and cheerfulness. However, He also orders them to look after the underprivileged on this day and to provide them money so that they can buy new cloths and share the happiness of the Eid day with rest of the society.

The Holy Quran says: ”O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint“.

In the light of this Quranic verse, we can conclude that  fasting is an old tradition and it was a part of previous religions as well. What makes the month of Ramadhan a month of blessings? This short article will give you a brief answer to this question.

Ramadhan is the Holiest month of Islamic calendar in the respect that this is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to the final prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) .The Holy Quran says “Ramadhan 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”. Several Hadith are narrated by Sahih Bukhari and other Muslim scholars signifying the importance and the blessings of Ramadhan.

One hadith says that in this month of Ramadhan the doors of paradise are opened and the doors of hell are closed. The Holy Prophet also said

”Surely, the month of Ramadhan, the blessed month has come to you. The month whose fasts Allah (has) made obligatory upon you. In it the doors of paradise are opened up and the Satan fettered, and in it is the night of Qadr, which is more virtuous than a thousand months”.

Another Hadith says “ The month of Ramadhan has come to you with blessings, wherein, Allah turns towards you and sends down to you His special blessings, forgives your faults, accepts dua (prayer), appreciates your competition for the greatest goods and boasts to the angels about you. So show to Allah your righteousness, for truly, the most pitiable and unfortunate one is he, who is deprived of Allah’s mercy in this month. “

By analyzing the above Hadith one can come to the conclusion that this month is surely a month of great blessings. Several other ahadith also tell that one good deed in this month is rewarded with the reward of 70 good deeds and offering one Nafl is equivalent to offering a Farz prayer in reward.

The month of Ramadhan is divided in three periods. The first ten days are a period of mercy, the second ten days are a period of forgiveness and the last ten days are a period of being freed from hell. To conclude in the light of all these quotes, surely, this month is a month of blessings as Allah reveals His favor on us far more in this month than in any other month.

The Holy Quran says: ”O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint“.

This verse of the Holy Quran tells us the central purpose of fasting to, that is, to learn self-restraint. However, this is not the only advantage one gets from fasting. Many physicians see Ramadhan as a golden opportunity for achieving a healthy lifestyle. Fasting not only helps reduce blood sugar and cholesterol level but it also helps in weight loss. This short article will give you some tips for a healthy diet in Ramadhan.

1. Ramadhan fast starts with Sehri, an early morning breakfast, before dawn. Sehri is an essential part of the ramdhan fast as eating or drinking is strictly forbidden after it, till dusk. Seeing this fact, most Muslims go for an abundant intake of both water and food, often eating more than what they would normally eat. This is a bad practice since this deprives them from the advantages of fasting. To attain the maximum benefits of fasting, Muslims should take a balanced Sehri, possibly with bread and eggs. They can take it with any other conventional food items too. However they must not over eat.  As far as drinking water is concerned, the amount of water intake varies from one individual to other since the rate of perspiration, climatic conditions, and the nature of job is different for different individuals. Nevertheless, one must remember that water should only be drunk before taking Sehri meal. If a large amount of water gets mixed with the meal, gastric problems may result.
2. Secondly, many Muslims either do not work in fasting or they do not work with the same zeal or to the same extent. This deprives them of the major benefits of fasting. Fasting does not stop one from working, in fact, it just stops us from taking meals. If an individual does not work he virtually wastes his fast because he achieves nothing, neither spiritually nor materially. Fasting was made an obligation so that one can realize how our underprivileged class feels when it is deprived of food, and yet has to carry out its work. In a fast Muslims are helpless, they cannot eat anything, and this helplessness is a symbol of their humility towards their Lord. Employing artificial ways to overcome hunger and thrust kills the spiritual benefit of a fast. It also restrains one from achieving materialistic benefits since sitting like an idol does not helps in reducing cholesterol level or weight.
3. Lastly, the Aftaar part arrives. This is where most of us make mistakes. Aftaar, traditionally, has been filled with items containing large amounts of fats or cholesterol. According to the teachings of Islam a fast should be concluded by drinking water. However, nowadays most families prefer cold drinks. A sudden large intake of these drinks  and food items puts a great pressure on our stomach often causing gastric issues. Taking an Aftaar – after a calories-rich sehri – with meals having high levels of cholesterol, sugar content and fats only exacerbates our condition.

In a nut shell, our Seher and Aftaar should comprise of balanced diets. We should neither give up eating nor over eat during Seher or Aftaar.

Let’s begin with seeing what the Islam has to say about this concept. The Holy Quran addresses Muslims and says: ”O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint “. Analyzing this you can see that at the time of Prophet (S.A.W), the concept of fasting already existed, and nations before Islam used to fast.

But did they fast in Ramadhan? Ramadhan, historians claim, was a month whose significance existed even before Islam the arrival of Islam. It was called Natiq at that time, a month that fell in the warm seasons. However there is no cogent evidence supporting the claim that Ramadhan held the same importance at that time that it enjoys these days. It only gained importance in the era of Holy Prophet because of the fact that the last revelation Holy Quran was sent down in this month. The Holy Quran has also emphasized on the importance of Ramadhan on many occasions.

If you compare the concept of fasting in all religions, you get to know that all religions prescribe fasting in one way or the other. In Christianity, Christians have been advised to fast. In fact, the Bible says that fasting does not only mean abstinence from food and water, and a fast in which one does not care for the poor is unacceptable. Christian historians have chronicled incidences when the Christ himself kept fast too.

The nature of fasting varies for different sects of Christianity, i.e. some sections abstain from meat and milk only while others fast for an entire day, but the essence remains the same. Even in Islam, a fast is meant to experience the sufferings of underprivileged and for learning self-restraint.

In Hinduism, the concept of fasting is slightly different. However, fasting has been prescribed for them too. Some Hindus fast on Mondays while others fast on Tuesday. Some fast on Thursday too the reason for this variation in fasting is because Hindus fast particularly for a certain goddess or god. Followers of Hinduism fast from after the sunset of previous day to 48 minutes after sunrise. Non-vegetarian Hindus cannot even touch any animal product during fasting; milk is an exception though.

Similarly, the concept of fasting is also present in Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and other religions. Ramadhan is of enormous importance to Muslims only but fasting has its roots in most religions.

Let’s begin with seeing what the Islam has to say about this concept. The Holy Quran addresses Muslims and says: ”O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint “.

Analyzing this you can see that at the time of Prophet (S.A.W), the concept of fasting already existed, and nations before Islam used to fast. But did they fast in Ramadhan? Ramadhan, historians claim, was a month whose significance existed even before Islam the arrival of Islam. It was called Natiq at that time, a month that fell in the warm seasons.

However there is no cogent evidence supporting the claim that Ramadhan held the same importance at that time that it enjoys these days. It only gained importance in the era of Holy Prophet because of the fact that the last revelation Holy Quran was sent down in this month. The Holy Quran has also emphasized on the importance of Ramadhan on many occasions.

If you compare the concept of fasting in all religions, you get to know that all religions prescribe fasting in one way or the other. In Christianity, Christians have been advised to fast. In fact, the Bible says that fasting does not only mean abstinence from food and water, and a fast in which one does not care for the poor is unacceptable. Christian historians have chronicled incidences when the Christ himself kept fast too.

The nature of fasting varies for different sects of Christianity, i.e. some sections abstain from meat and milk only while others fast for an entire day, but the essence remains the same. Even in Islam, a fast is meant to experience the sufferings of underprivileged and for learning self-restraint.

In Hinduism, the concept of fasting is slightly different. However, fasting has been prescribed for them too. Some Hindus fast on Mondays while others fast on Tuesday. Some fast on Thursday too the reason for this variation in fasting is because Hindus fast particularly for a certain goddess or god. Followers of Hinduism fast from after the sunset of previous day to 48 minutes after sunrise. Non-vegetarian Hindus cannot even touch any animal product during fasting; milk is an exception though.

Similarly, the concept of fasting is also present in Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and other religions. Ramadhan is of enormous importance to Muslims only but fasting has its roots in most religions.

The Holy Quran declares fasting to be obligatory for all Muslim men and women, and as soon as the moon of Ramadhan is sighted, Muslims all over the world indulge in fasting and the various worships associated with it. Ramadhan carries additional importance for Muslims because it is also the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.

The Quran not only states that it is obligatory for believers to fast during the month of Ramadhan, but it also describes the reason for which Muslims should observe a fast. The Quran says that the Muslim fast is not meant to be a punishment for Muslims, but it is meant to train the Muslims so that they learn ‘self-restraint’. This concept of instilling ‘self-restraint’ in Muslims through fasting is highlighted in the following verse of the Holy Quran:

“O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint”. (Qur’an al-Baqarah 2:183)

This concept of self-restraint is pivotal in the life of a Muslim. Like all great religions, the fundamental emphasis of Islam is upon restraining the material desires of one self and emerging as a selfless person who is willing to help others, by sacrificing his own needs. By staying away from food, water and other natural instincts during the fasting period, man prepares himself for a greater purpose during Ramadhan.

It is due to this reason that Ramadhan acts as a great opportunity for Muslims to straighten out their lives. During the whole year, man is entangled in his worldly materialistic affairs. During this holy month of Ramadhan, man gains the opportunity of freeing himself from his materialistic needs, and thereby enters the chamber of mental purity. This state of mental purity and peace is essential for straightening out the chores of this complicated worldly life.

If we closely analyze the routine followed by Muslims during Ramadhan, we draw closer towards the conclusion that the central purpose of Ramadhan is to bring the troubled Muslim back to a straight and peaceful life.

From the act of getting up early morning for Seher, to the act of restraining from all negative actions and influences, and other material desires throughout the day, and from the act of indulging in worship all day to the act of finally breaking the fast in Aftaar, whilst thanking Allah, all show man’s humility towards his Lord. This humility is the founding stone of all worldly peace and therefore, it will not be wrong to state that fasting in Ramadhan inculcates all the virtues in a Muslim which he needs to straighten out his life.

It occurs in the third decade or Ramadan. The importance of this night can be understood from the fact that in the Holy Quran, a whole chapter (Surah 97, Al-Qadr) is dedicated to this night. In this chapter, Allah tells the Muslims that the importance of this night alone is greater than that of a thousand months. The verses of this chapter are stated below:

“We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!…This until the rise of dawn!”

The exact night on which Lail-at-ul-Qadr occurs cannot be given definitively. There are different views regarding the dates of the nights among which this night has to be found. The Sunni Muslims believe that Lail-at-ul-Qadr lies in the odd nights of the last decade of Ramadan. This means that according to them, Lail-at-ul-Qadr is either the 21^st or the 23^rd or the 25^th or the 27^th or the 29^th night of this holy month. The general belief is that this night lies on the 27^th night of Ramadan.

The Shia Muslims believe that this night lies in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan, but the general belief is regarding the 19^th or the 21^st or the 23^rd night, because the relation of these nights with the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (R.A).

What makes Lail-at-ul-Qadr so special among all the nights? Lail-at-ul-Qadr is also the night in which the Quran was revealed. Muslims unanimously believe that the revelation of Holy Quran concluded in two different stages, the first of which was the revelation of the whole Quran from Allah to angel Jibrail. This first stage was completed in this night. Muslims also believe that the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) on this night.

Lail-at-ul-Qadr is known by various different names among Muslims. These names include the Night of Power, the Night of Measures, the Night of Value and the Night of Destiny. These names themselves suggest the significance associated with this night in Islam.

In view of the incredible importance of this night, Muslims engage themselves in worships and prayers all night. These prayers often seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, and ask Allah to grant the wishes of the believer.

All leading Muslim scholars have written prolifically about the blessings that Allah bestows upon the believers during this month. With the arrival of the month, the Satan gets fettered. This is done in order to help the Muslims do good deeds and be in a better position to control their worldly desires, which must be kept under check while fasting.Every good deed is rewarded seventy times more in Ramadan than the reward of the same deed in another month. The reward for a normal Nafl prayer is raised to the reward for an obligatory Farz prayer.

Every moment of this month is so precious that it must be spent seeking for Allah’s mercy and blessings. The whole month is divided into three sets of ten days, called decades. In this article, an overview of the last decade of Ramadan, which is particularly important as the decade for freedom from hell, is presented.

If you look at the religious importance of the last decade, it appears to precede the significance of the other two decades. The first decade is the period of mercy and the middle decade is the period of forgiveness, and finally, the third decade combines the blessings of the first two by being the period of freedom from hell, which requires both Allah’s mercy and Allah’s forgiveness.

In the last ten nights of Ramadanlies the Night of Qadr. The significance of this night can be understood from the fact that there is a whole chapter in the Quran which is dedicated for this night. In that chapter (Surah Al-Qadr), the Holy Quran tells us that this night is more significant than a thousand months:

“Behold: We revealed this Quran on the Night of Power. And what do you know the Night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels along with the spirit descend in it by the permission of their Lord with all kind of decrees. All peace is that night until the rise of dawn.”

The presence of this nightin the last decade makes it somewhat more noteworthy than the other two decades. The night of Qadr is the night in which the Holy Quran was revealed from the heavens. Since the exact night on which Lail-at-ul-Qadr lies is unknown, Muslims spend all the odd nights of the last decade. There are special duas (supplications) for this night and for the last decade.

This is the significance of the last decade of Ramadan. Given its high importance, Muslims must spend it worshipping and practicing good deeds.

All Muslims are urged to seek Allah’s mercy as His mercy is at its peak during the entire month. Muslims are also required to show mercy towards fellow beings, as a hadith says:

“Anyone who does not show any mercy will not be shown any mercy. Anyone who does not forgive will not be forgiven. Anyone who does not turn in repentance will not be turned to nor will he be guarded or protected“.

The second decade is the decade of forgiveness. All Muslims are supposed to seek forgiveness in these days, they have witnessed the mercy in the first ten days and now it is time for repentance. Those who repent on their sins are forgiven by Allah for their bad deeds. The Arabic term for this decade is the ‘Ashra of Maghfirat’. Maghfirat means forgiveness and ashra is the Arabic word for a decade or ten days. This short article will focus primarily on the middle ten days of Ramadan. It will give you a concise description of the blessings of this Ashra and its significance, as narrated inAhadith.
The Holy Prophet used to perform ‘Itikaf’(solitude) in the middle ten days of Ramadan.On one occasion, the prophet (S.A.W) said:

“It (Ramadan) is the month, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness and its end, emancipation from the fire (of hell) “.

This Hadith Clearly portrays the fact that Allah forgives our sins in these middle ten days of Ramadan so it is our duty to seek forgiveness. We are also supposed to forgive others in this decade as Allah does not forgive those who do not forgive others. When a Muslim considers the blessings of Allah in this month, he curses on his past sins, and in an endeavor to purify from all of them he begs to Almighty for a pardon. The mercy of Allah is at peak in this holy month, and by His commandment the Satan is fettered, so it is a wonderful opportunity for the Muslims to exercise Tauba (prayer for forgiveness) because there is a good chance that they may be pardoned with Allah’s mercy.
Along with fasting, Tarawih prayers are another special feature of the month. Muslims usually cover one third of the Holy Quran in the middle ten days of Ramadan by reciting the Surahs (chapters) of Holy Quran in these prayers. These prayers also lead a Muslim closer to his Lord, so his play for forgiveness becomes more effective. In a nut shell, all worships and practices of this month, and especially the middle decade, must focus on asking the Almighty for forgiving the person’s past deeds.

The significance of the first and last decade of Ramadan is generally considered to be greater than that of the second decade, however, in reality, each decade has its own importance which cannot be compared with the importance of the other decades. In this article, an overview of the first ten days of Ramadan is presented, along with a discussion of its importance.

The first decade marks the beginning of Ramadan and hence the commencement of all the practices associated with Ramadan such as fasting and Tarawih. These practices are all meant to inculcate self-restraint in the believers. This concept is highlighted in the Holy Quran in the following verse: “O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint”.(Holy Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:183)

To incorporate self-restraint as a virtue of believers, these practices are naturally harsh and difficult to observe. Fasting whole day means that the believer has to keep his hunger and other instincts under control, and continue this on a stretch of 29 or 30 days. This is accompanied by praying five times a day and other modes of worship. Once the fast is over, the Muslim men and women have to engage themselves in the long and rigorous Tarawih prayer. This one month of struggle by the believer is necessary for him to be able to learn self-restraint in the month of Ramadan.

It is generally considered that the first ten days of Ramadan are the hardest for the believer because he has to change the whole routine that he has been following for the rest of year. The first decade of Ramadan is, hence, quite fittingly the decade of mercy.

Mercy in Islam carries a very broad meaning which is not just limited to forgiving others. The major Arabic words related with the concept of mercy are Rahman and Rahim. The root word related to mercy is Rhm or (Rahm) which means to spread love, tenderness, forgiveness and tolerance. Muslims are required to demonstrate all these different virtues during Ramadan.

Muslims should pray for Allah’s mercy during this decade. This plea for mercy includes the prayer to Allah for helping Muslims out through the difficult time of Ramadan and to make the fasts easy for them. Muslims should show special mercy towards their follows during this decade by helping them in their affairs.

Thus, we can safely say that the first decade of Ramadan is the most comprehensive period of mercy that occurs within the year.

All worships and pillars of Islam, in one way or the other, help in the establishment of this unity between Muslims.  Let’s begin by taking the example of prayer. Praying 5 times a day, i.e. at Fajr, Zuhr, Asar, Maghrib and Isha times, is obligatory for Muslims. Muslims from all places within a locality pray to the Lord at same time, and bow their heads in the same direction. This is a symbol of unity between Muslims while prayer. Further, praying in congregation is said to be preferable than playing alone, because the former establishes unity and equality among Muslims.

Now let’s take another example to substantiate our point. Zakat is another pillar of Islam, and it is given out to poor Muslims, as a percentage of the wealth or rich Muslims. Zakat, therefore, is meant to create a level economic ground for Muslims, which brings them together on all footings and unites them. Hajj, another pillar of Islam and a very important worship for Muslims, also propagates the same idea of Muslim unity by congregating Muslims from all over the world, and allowing them a platform where they can collectively discuss their problems and seek their solutions.

Just as all these worships, Ramadan and fasting in Ramadan also come as a great source of unity for Muslims. Ramadan is commenced and concluded by moon sighting (or calculation methods) and the month begins and ends at the same time throughout the Muslim country. This commencement and conclusion of Ramadan at the same time bonds the Muslims all over the nation together. Similar practices are observed and similar routines are followed by Muslims all over the country. By freeing themselves of material desires in Ramadan, Muslims afford themselves an opportunity to reflect upon the larger picture of the Muslim nation.

Hunger and thirst that a fasting Muslim endures brings him closer to the pain bore by the poor Muslims whole year. Mosques begin to fill by Muslims, and more and more meetings are held as religious sermons or Aftaar parties. This allows Muslims to meet each other and bond together strongly. In these meetings, religious discussions remind Muslims of their social and religious duties, and refresh their faith. Most Muslims pay their Zakat during Ramadan, which bonds the society together further strongly by bridging the gap between the poor and the rich.

If one considers all the rituals and practices followed in Ramadan, he will find that the impact of the month of Ramadan on Muslim unity and faith is enormous.

The TV series, currently being aired on MBC, depicts the life of Islam’s second Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab. (MBC)

Conservative clerics denounce the series, which is running during the region’s busiest drama season, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Scholars see an undesirable trend in television programming; the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates has publicly refused to watch it.

But at dinner tables and on social media around the region, “Omar” is winning praise among many Muslim viewers, who admire it for tackling an important period in Islam’s history. Some think it carries lessons for the Arab world, which is grappling with political change unleashed by last year’s uprisings.

Salam Sarhan, a columnist at the Lebanese newspaper Diyar, said the show was part of a gradual trend for the Islamic world to re-examine its heritage more critically, and would open the door for more television and cinema productions depicting central figures in Islam.

“If anyone dared to depict these figures 20 years ago, he would have been accused of blasphemy,” he wrote. “Simply put, depicting these revered figures with their mistakes, limitations, rivalries, anger, hunger and thirst will thrust Islamic societies into a new phase.”

FOUR CALIPHS

Mostly filmed in Morocco, the show was funded by the Dubai-based but Saudi-owned MBC Group, a private media conglomerate, and state-owned Qatar TV. The 30-episode series, which an MBC spokesman said cost “tens of millions of dollars” to make, is being watched on satellite television across the Arab world.

It has been praised for its elaborate sets and costumes, visual effects and battle scenes which involve elephants and hundreds of extras.

But for many viewers, the production values have been outweighed by the fact that actors in the series play Omar and three other close companions of the Prophet Mohammad who were the first rulers of an empire that expanded out of the Arabian Peninsula.

Historically, Muslim scholars have discouraged the depiction of revered figures in art, and some argue it is expressly forbidden, on the grounds it could be misleading or encourage idolatry. This is why mosques are adorned with elaborate plant and geometric patterns instead of human and animal images.

Though some close companions of Mohammad have been portrayed on screen in the past, the productions have mostly been by Shi’ite Muslims. The Omas series is believed to be the first time that a drama depicting all four caliphs has been made by Sunni Muslims, who form the majority across the Gulf and North Africa and have historically taken a strict line against depiction of such figures.

“Depicting the closest companions of the Prophet was a shock to the (Arab) societies,” said Suaad al-Oraimi, professor of sociology at UAE University.

Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, the highest religious authority in the country, harshly criticised the series in a sermon, while Cairo’s prestigious seat of Sunni learning, al-Azhar University, also came out against it.

“The Guided Caliphs were promised the heavens … Their lives cannot be depicted by some actor,” Ahmed al-Haddad, Dubai’s grand mufti, wrote in an emailed statement to Reuters.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed became one of the show’s most prominent opponents by tweeting: “I will not watch the Omar Ibn al-Khattab series.” His comment was retweeted thousands of times within a few days.

Sheikh Hamad Wael al Hanbari, a prominent Muslim scholar based in Istanbul, said he was concerned that the reputations of the caliphs could become contaminated.

“It’s completely unacceptable,” he said. “These actors would go on to play other roles – in action movies, for example – and would forever be associated with the Rightly Guided Caliphs. This is very dangerous. Their image has to be protected.”

DEFENDERS

The show does not lack defenders, however. Saif al-Sahabani, a columnist at Saudi Arabia’s Okaz newspaper, dismissed the idea that portraying prominent companions of the prophet was forbidden under Islam’s sharia law.

“The show has revealed a gap in the Arab and Islamic collective consciousness, especially among those who rely on tradition rather than their own minds,” he wrote.

Sahabani cited endorsements of the show by a number of senior Islamic scholars, including Qatar-based Egyptian cleric Yousef al-Qaradawi, well-known in the Arab world for his weekly programme on Al Jazeera television. Qaradawi was on a committee of religious scholars that reviewed the script of the series.

Some viewers rejected criticism of the show because they saw it as an attack on their personal freedom.

“Fed up with the extremists’ point of view … Who are you to judge us because we watch the Omar series?” tweeted Yasmine Medhat, identified by her Twitter profile as an Egyptian Muslim.

Hatem Ali, the director of the series, said his team braced for controversy before the first episode was aired.

In this article, a short discussion of the common routine followed by Muslims is presented, along with the description of the various ways in which this routine helps a Muslim in gaining physical fitness and mental cleanliness. The routines followed by Muslims all over the world vary in different regions, because the physical requirements of fasting and culture are different for different places. The fundamental routine, however, is quite similar, and revolves around the Seher and Aftaar timings.

Muslims begin their day by getting up atSeher (Suhoor). This is the time before dawn and Muslims get up around this time in order to take in meals and water to fulfill the bodily requirements for the fast of the upcoming day. The women generally get up before men because they have to handle all the cooking responsibilities. In some households, food for seher is prepared in the night to prevent the risk of skipping seheri (seher meal) the next morning due to late awakening. The Seheri food is mostly simple breakfast food supplemented with servings of water/juices to make up for the liquid intake of the rest of the day. The kind of meal served in Seheri differs in different cultures, but it is generally simple food comprising of bread, eggs and fruits.

The time for Seher gets over with the call (azaan) of Fajr, after which Muslims offer the Fajr prayer. From Fajr time to early morning, Muslims enjoy free time with no religious or worldly obligation. Some Muslims resume their sleep during this time while others use it to complete their work, projects or assignments. However, the majority of Muslims use this time to engage in worship and in reading the Holy Quran.

After this time, Muslims go to their works and begin their business/office activity as usual. Some Muslims begin their work a bit later in the morning during Ramadan to make up for the sleep lost during Seher. They continue their work activity till evening, taking two breaks for prayers for Zuhr and Asar prayer. Most Muslims like to offer these prayers in a congregation during Ramadan.

In the evening, Muslims return back to their homes as Aftaar time approaches. This is the time for feast for Muslims, as they eat ravenously to make up for the lack of food during the fast. This is not a good approach because taking such high amounts of food negates the very essence of fasting, i.e. to inculcate self-restraint in Muslims.

After this, Muslims rest for a while and then go off for Isha prayer after which they offer Tarawih prayers.

This is the routine commonly followed by most Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Holy Quran and Ahadith have emphasized the great importance of fasting for a believer, and in one of the Ahadith, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S.A.W) said that fasting is for Allah and its reward will be set by Allah Almighty Himself.

The significance of the month of Ramadan is also enormous. Ramadan is set apart from the rest of lunar calendar as a month of purity and piety, where material desires are pushed back and a desire to attain greater inner purity through faith is expressed. The three ten day periods of Ramadan each carry its own significance. Blessings, mercy and forgiveness define the three 10 day periods in Ramadan. The significance of Ramadan can be understood from the fact that Allah chose this month to complete the revelation of Holy Quran.

In view of these facts, it is not surprising that Muslims are never willing to lose any fast. The punishment of skipping or breaking a fast is great, and is prescribed by the Shariat (Islamic law). However, Islam allows Muslims to skip fasts under certain permitted conditions, or break the fast before time if a genuine need arises. In such a case, the person is due to keep a ‘Qaza’ fast after the end of Ramadan and before the next Ramadan.

If the person breaks the fast due to a failure to control his material desires, he is due to pay a ‘kaffara’ (punishment). In this article, a description of the Qaza and Kaffara matters is given to guide Muslims about the conditions in which both of them applicable and the prescribed ways in which both the Qaza and Kaffara should be offered by Muslims.

Qaza Matters: Muslims are allowed to skip a fast under special circumstances. Women who are feeding a baby, or are pregnant and unable to fast or undergoing similar feminine complications may skip the fast. Similarly, old men and women who are too weak and are unable to fast are also allowed to skip the fast. Adults who are very ill and for whom their physicians fear that fasting and lack of water may exacerbate their position,may also skip the fast.

People who undergo the fast but are unable to complete it due to sudden medical complications (e.g. unpredicted illness) may break their fast before Maghrib. All these groups of people are only required to offer a Qaza fast later in the year after the end of Ramadan.

Kaffara Matters: People who intentionally break their fast as a result of failure to control their instincts for food or sexual pleasure are required to offer Kaffara for their broken fast. This Kaffara can be offered by fasting for 60 continuous days or by feeding 60 poor people twice a day (or giving them equivalent cash for eating twice a day). If any one day from this chain of 60 days is skipped, the whole chain has to be restarted from the scratch.

“O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint”.(Qur’an al-Baqarah 2:183)

 

This self-restraint is the key to piety and mental purity. As soon as man discovers a way to control his inner desires, he rises above his material needs and becomes a person with a pure mind, always eager to help others, even if this help comes at the cost of sacrificing some personal interest. This selflessness and humility forms the essence of all rituals and worships in Islam, and fasting is an ideal way to attain these virtues.

People interested in maintaining healthy diets and exercising will also notice another point in the aforementioned details. The concept of self-restraint lies at the heart of most diet plans and weight loss schedules. Workouts and exercise plans require the same ‘self-restraint’ principle. Therefore, one may identify that Ramadan not only brings blessings for mental purity, but also brings a complete code for physical fitness.

It is unfortunate that most Muslims miss out on taking full advantage of the physical fitness code of Ramadan. This is because most Muslims never fully identify the essence of Ramadan i.e. self-restraint. In fact, the most glaring violations of self-restraint, sadly, occur in this month. Seher and Aftaar are considered as occasions for feast and Muslims eat ravenously at these occasions. In this article, a brief overview of a physical fitness plan is presented, which can be adopted by Muslims who choose to explore and fulfill the real essence of fasting and Ramadan.

Meal plan:

Seher time:  Take 3 servings of water (2-3 full glasses), 2-3 eggs with bread and a few pieces of fruits.

You may replace the egg-bread combination with any other combination having a similar calorie value.

Aftaar time: Keep track of your hunger. Most people do not keep track of exactly how hungry they are until they eat too much. Leave a part of your hunger unfulfilled.

Exercise plan:

Do not change your walking/jogging routine.

It is better to work out an hour or two before Aftaar. This helps to absorb the nutrients you later take in Aftaari, and the thirst after workout is bearable because aftaar is only an hour away from workout.

Keeping in view all these things, man can attain both physical fitness and mental purity from Ramadan.

Egyptian Muslim women gather to pray under a statue of the late Egyptian diva Umm Kulthum as they celebrate Eid al-Adha on the main street of the Nile Delta city of Mansoura.

A Muslim is well-occupied with defined beliefs. Whenever a Muslim has to perform a task in future or whenever a decision has to be made regarding foreseeable time; he/she always uses the word insha’Allah. This word has power and magic in its meaning. Because when by predicting a moment or taking a stance for future you say insha’Allah, it means you have full faith in the inevitable event whether it favors one’s resolution or he may face failure in the choice that he has picked up. In case of unaccomplished task, a person does not have to be hold back with Allah Subhana wa Tallah’s will and wish.

Something is always special in Allah Subhana wa Tallah’s decision that is not apparent at the spur of moment but afterwards when time passes, a Muslim truly understands why Allah Subhana wa Tallah has not pushed him/her towards a particular direction. The word insha’Allah is not an ordinary set of characters. When you are reciting these letters; it actually raises your stance in front of Allah Subhana wa Tallah that you blindly trust Him.

Allah Subhana wa Tallah has crafted everything of this world magnificently therefore, there are some special astounding creatyres made by Him which truly fascinate our minds.  Pure souls on earth occupied with love and affection for Allah Subhana wa Tallah and his messengers; especially his beloved Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), always admire the beauty that has been all around us in the shape of flowers, fruits, mountains, valleys, lakes or even the stream of galaxies and stars in sky.

By seeing such wonderful things, if we say masha’Allah that means we are actually admiring Allah Subhana wa Tallah’s beautifully designed creatures on earth, comprised of splendor and full of brilliance. These holy words should be part of our prayers through which we can attain good virtues. Every time when we say these glorious words, they add in our good book of accounts that is kept by Allah Subhana wa Tallah. In Qur’an, Allah Subhana wa Tallah has said many times to use these words commonly throughout entire life in every verdict to become protected from wrong thoughts and perceptions.

Allah Almighty has spread His magic in every corner of universe. If a person has strong faith in supremacy and greatness of Allah Almighty then natural beauty designed by Him will seem to be the most diversifying masterpieces ever captured by human’s eye. But people with fewer values believe that human is the only supreme authority in the world and can get good control over whatever the matters are running around. They can never be satisfied from the core of their heart just like a true believer always remains in peace.

When a person declares his/her soul and body in accordance with Allah’s will and wish, bundle of blessings that have been stored by Allah for a person open up and shower on that person throughout his/her life. Human character is totally based on the upbringing and the surrounded environment in which he/she breathes since his/her childhood. If a person always wants to shut his mind’s doors and let ignorance keep on entering the heart, the secrets that have to be revealed would always be kept hidden.

It always depends on how you want to lead your way of life. You can go with the defined principles of Allah Almighty or you can create your own path too. But one thing you must keep in mind is that Allah has created human with good intellect, so that he/she can fairly identify difference between good and bad and Islamic values are the true companion for living on this planet. A person who lives in accordance with Islamic customs and adapts according to what has been said to mankind then his life would become easier, free from troubles.

One should always think positively. If something comes bad then it doesn’t mean that life is stopped and there is no way out. Your inner beauty and innocence will show you a right path and will guide you to choose the best for your life. When your heart is pure and free from limitations, you will automatically enjoy the beauty of life and will understand the soul of Allah’s preaching. In order to own a pure and clean soul, start correcting yourself instead of pointing others.

What is the history of Ramadan?

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Arabian calendar. The term Ramadan literally means scorching in Arabic. It was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as “the Night of Power.

Observance of Ramadan is mandated in the Quran, Surah 2, Ayah 185:

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”

What are the dates of Ramadan?

Because the cycle of the lunar calendar does not match the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan shifts by approximately 11 days each year. In 2011, Ramadan began on August 1st. In 2012 Ramadan is likely to begin on July 20th.

The ending of Ramadan is marked by the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month. On Eid ul-Fitr, morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends. This year Eid ul-Fitr will most probably fall on Sunday, August 19th.

What are the daily fasting requirements?

During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset with no food or water. Before sunrise many Muslims have the Suhur or predawn meal. At sunset families and friends gather for Iftar which is the meal eaten by Muslims to break the fast. Many Muslims begin the meal by eating dates as the Prophet used to do.

This ritual fast known as, Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse.

To find the specific times for Ramadan fasting, click over to this helpful tool provided by IslamiCity that allows you to calculate prayer schedules — including sunup and sundown — by entering your city or zip code.

What are the expectations towards charity?

Charity is an important part of Ramadan. The fast emphasizes self-sacrifice and using the experience of hunger to grow in empathy with the hungry. During Ramadan, Muslim communities work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold iftar dinners for the less fortunate.

What scriptural study do Muslims take part in?

Many Muslims use Ramadan to read the entire Quran or read the Quran daily. Many communities divide the Quran into daily reading segments that conclude on Eid ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan.

Can non-Muslims participate?

Non-Muslims are free to participate in Ramadam. Many non-Muslims fast and even pray with their Muslim friends or family members. Non-Muslims are often invited to attend prayer and iftar dinners.

Those wishing to be polite to someone who is fasting for Ramadan may greet them with Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which mean Have a Blessed or Generous Ramadan.

Should Muslims with diabetes fast?

Fasting during Ramadan is discouraged for patients with diabetes by the American Diabetes Association.

“In keeping with this, a large epidemiological study conducted in 13 Islamic countries on 12,243 individuals with diabetes who fasted during Ramadan showed a high rate of acute complications.”

However, the study says this was not conclusive. Many diabetic patients fasted with no complications. Patients with diabetes should work with their doctors to figure out a strategy if they choose to fast.

What is the ‘goal’ of Ramadan?

In general, the practices of Ramadan are meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam. By removing material desires, one is able to focus fully on devotion and service to God. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purge themselves of impure thoughts and motivations such as anger, cursing, and greed.

Do all Muslims take part in Ramadan fasting?

Most Muslims believe Ramadan fasting is mandatory, but there are some groups that do not. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people who are seriously sick, travelers, or those at health risk should not fast. Children that have not gone through puberty are also not required to fast during the month Ramadan.

Source:huffingtonpost.com

Lebanese orphans play traditional drums during a ceremony to celebrate the coming Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Beirut.
ANWAR AMRO / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Muslim female detainees offer prayers during a gathering in the yard at the Narathiwat jail in Thailand’s restive southern Narathiwat province. The Thai government opened the doors of a prison for relatives to visit their loved ones, welcoming the holy month of Ramadan.
MADAREE TOHLALA / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A vendor cleans Ramadan lanterns displayed for sale at a shop ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Cairo.
AMR ABDALLAH DALSH / REUTERS

Iraqis shop for food at a market as they prepare for Ramadan in Baghdad’s Sadr City.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Laborers put up a tarp to shade the area in front of the Dome of the Rock in preparation for Ramadan on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, where the Al-Aqsa mosque (not seen) also stands, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
DARREN WHITESIDE / REUTERS

A Bahraini woman gestures as she prepares treats and refreshments for children and passersby inside a decorated area in front of her home in the western village of Malkiya, Bahrain.
Hasan Jamali / AP

A Bahraini man arranges decorations in Malkiya for a celebration of the birthday of Imam Mahdi, grandson of Islam’s founding prophet. The event, known as Nasfa and most widely celebrated in Shiite Muslim areas, is held on the full moon night midway through the Islamic month preceding the holy month of Ramadan.
Hasan Jamali / AP

Source: washingtonpost

If you were expecting kebabs and more kebabs, think again. Food served during the Islamic observance is as diverse as the Muslim world itself. Ramadan, which lasts one month and starts on Friday this year, focuses on spirituality and inner reflection, with observers fasting from just before sunrise to sunset.

The structure of Ramadan (ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar) is fairly simple. Two main meals are eaten, often with the family and with friends – “suhoor” before dawn, and “iftar” just after sundown. During the day, observers take in nothing – no food or water – although there are exceptions for people who can’t maintain the fast for health or other reasons.

The month ends with EidulFitr (eedull-fitter), sometimes a big feast and other times a more humble affair, where friends and family often get together to share food and celebrate.

Observant Muslims are required to eat food that is “halal,” meaning it meets Islamic dietary guidelines for what is permissible. Other than that, the food served is dictated by culture and preference. And that can vary widely. In Morocco, one might eat lentil soups, in India, curry, and in Indonesia, kolak, a fruit dessert.

One thing just about every Ramadan meal has in common is dates. Most observers break their fast with dates because this is what the prophet Muhammad did. (According to Muslim beliefs, Ramadan is when the Qur’an, the Muslim scripture, was first revealed to Muhammad.) Observers usually are eager to offer each other dates to break the fast as a gesture of good will and to aid fellow worshippers in breaking the fast.

Another benefit to dates is they’re an excellent way to restore blood sugars.

“Whether you’re from Senegal or Detroit, you’ll try to break your fast with dates,” says Yvonne Maffei, a food writer and recipe developer who publishes the website myhalalkitchen.com.

Meals often start with a crunchy appetizer, perhaps a samosa in Pakistan or an egg roll in China, then move on to soups; people don’t typically jump into meat dishes, though they likely will be served at some point during the meal.

“Whether you’re Chinese Muslim or American Muslim, you’re going to have meat on the table because it’s considered important to feed and nourish your guests,” says Maffei.

In the United States, food choices are even broader, with traditions from different cultures often finding a place on the same buffet.

“It’s just becoming very interesting as these children of immigrants who’ve come from Muslim countries with different flavour profiles, different preferences – have begun mixing and replacing many foods, doing a lot of fun things and that’s changing the landscape of our table during Ramadan,” says Maffei. “Buffets look very different than they did 10 years ago.”

Women had no rights to show their acceptance in choosing appropriate marriage proposal and had no share in property by her parents. After the emergence, Islam gave a woman full right to agree or disagree on marriage proposals. She has now option to choose the best man for rest of her life. Even if a woman doesn’t want to live with her husband due to his humiliating behavior then she can submit termination of marriage agreement in courts.

A woman has been encouraged by Islam to attain a fair share in the legacy of her parents and she can also transfer her legacy to siblings further which was totally prohibited before. After the introduction of Islamic beliefs and values by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), women were granted with equal position of supremacy like men.

Islam has provided full authority to women to participate in every appropriate area as in old times; Hazrat Fatima (R.A) and Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) were used to provide their valuable services to warriors. Before the revelation of Islam, Arabian women had been brought in the wars not for the purpose of fight equally with men but if the consequences were turned into defeat then women were offered as a compensation to conquer.

Islam has introduced the concept of (Hijab), which was not known before the emergence. Allah has considered Hijab as a protecting shield for women against the evil minds of men. He has chosen Hijab for women due to the honorable position Allah Almighty wants to bestow them with.

Allah has guided in Quran clearly that woman is not an ordinary individual. She is highly valuable creation of Allah due to her prestigious rank. A woman is not a piece to be offered for auction. She has rewarded with the strong relationship of Husband thus her body and beauty is only visible and touchable by her better half; not for whole world. Her husband has been ordered to behave well for her true rights and duties specifically conducted by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Arabian women before the commencement of Islamic values were not rewarded with any kind of mercy and nice behavior therefore women were treated like servants. Islam is the only religion who introduced to the world that women need to be treated with love and care.

Astonishing results have been found out by the statistical survey of UN, which highlight 6.40% of growth in Islam against1.46% growth in Christianity. One of the eye-awakening realities about Muslims’ growing percentage in the world’s population is the ratio of 1:5. It indicates the presence of one Muslim in a set of 5 humans on earth.

Islam is not only growing in an Asian region but surprisingly its elevation rate has been heightened in every region of world. In North America, believers of Islam have raised up to 25% since 1989, along with Africa, Asia, and Europe, where growth rate is 2.15%, 12.57%, and 142.35% respectively. Therefore, in Australia and Pacific region, Islam has gained 257.01% raise in believers.

Numerous research institutions, who are deliberately observing the impacts and religious trends on human societies, have reported 35% increase in Muslims’ community by 2030. It has been expecting to grow twice the annual growth percentage of 2010; approximately 1.5% rise is inevitable against non-Muslim population and 0.7% is foreseen annually in next two decades.

In USA, Muslims populace will be expected to ascend twice from 2.6 million in 2010 up to 6.2 million by 2030. Statistically, Muslims were 0.8% of the American population in 2010 that will increase to 1.7% of the total population in 2030. In 2009, facts were reported that number of immigrants in America was mostly seen from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Similarly, by 2030, these countries will remain on the top for the growing rate of immigrants in United States.

In 2010, Muslims percentage in the total population of Canada had been 2.8 % that will increase by 6.6% in 2030; nearly 2.7 million of the total Canada’s population. After United States, Argentina has been on the second position comprising of 1 million Muslims population currently.

On the other hand, in Europe, figures will continuously be raised up to 58.2 million by 2030 as compared to 44.1 million in 2010. So in 2030, Muslims will be 8% of the total population in Europe. France, Belgium, Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Albania will also have the highest percentage of Muslims population by 2030 and the percentage will be elevated up to 10%.

It is pretty obvious from the afore mentioned statistics that Islam will gain more strength and rise in number of believers in coming years that will highly boost the percentage of Muslims in total world’s population.

After strengthening the Hanafi law institute in Iran, the legal system established under this School gained recognition and acceptance in Iraq after which it spread to most parts of eastern region. The whole Islamic jurisprudence system gained immense popularity when inserted in the administration of Government and public legal structure of Damascus. Under the ruling of Muhammad Ali Pasha in Egypt, Hanafi institute and its legal concepts gained accredited certification. Under the enlightened supervision of Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.), the Islamic legal system fetched elevated credibility thus the success of Hanafi School happened to be possible due to the clear visions and passion for Islamic knowledge by him.

Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) was started on his education in Islamic studies at an early age. His scholarly aptitude pushed him towards the infinite knowledge of spirituality thus his divine interests gained him the assistance of Imam Shabi and his intellectual deep knowledge about religious studies. Imam Shabi recommended Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) to study the valuable cannons of Islamic foundation to seek exquisite pearls of deep knowledge hidden in the depths of the Islamic sea. Hammad Ibn Abi Sulaiman, known for his scholarly Islamic laws, was the next influential teacher that taught Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) about Islamic legal structure.

Abu Hanifah (r.a.) was under the teachings of Hammad approximately for 28 years. During this whole tenure Abu Hanifah (r.a.) was attached to Hammad like a shadow, thus he polished his knowledge of Islamic laws under Hammad’s excellence and brilliance. Afterwards he approached Makah and then started to raise his levels of education in Islamic regulations even higher under many scholars of Makah.

Some popular Hadiths of Al-Imam Al-A’zam, Abu Hanifah (r.a.) that exist in Islamic History are:

•  The accomplishment of a task depends upon the hidden objective of the inner soul of a person.
• The completion of a Muslim faith is attached with the good deeds with his/her brother. A person who does not differentiate while making choice for him or her -self and his/her brother should congratulate him or her -self for being the truest Muslim from heart and soul.
• If you love Allah, remove discrimination in the inner and outlook of your personality.

For 30 days, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a unique month that affects every aspect of social and spiritual life of Muslims. It is a month of devotion, intense spiritual introspection, social engagement, great benevolence and overwhelming generosity. A typical day in Ramadan begins with a pre-dawn meal, followed by the dawn prayer and a full day of fasting. The day ends with families, friends and neighbours gathering for a fast-breaking meal.

Following the meal, a nightly gathering takes place at the mosques where a special congregational prayer takes place every night during Ramadan. During the day, many spend their days reciting the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an. Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important days of festivities in Islam.

Fasting in Ramadan isn’t just a ritual, but a means to a greater purpose. As stated in the Qur’an, the aim of fasting is to “attain righteousness.”

Fasting predates Islam and has a long history as a means of achieving spiritual efficacy. Fasting provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the willpower, to enhance endurance, to increase self-restraint and to control impulsive urges. Further, fasting opens the eyes to the struggles faced by the poor and invokes a sense of sympathy for their plight. Moreover, it creates a sense of appreciation for the good provisions of life, which many times are taken for granted and overlooked.

Al-Ghazzali (1058-1111 C.E.), the renowned theologian and mystic, in elaborating the spiritual dimensions of fasting, notes the simple abstention from food and drink is the simplest form of fasting. The real and substantive fasting is to go beyond the rituals and engage in self-restrain from evil thoughts, actions and impulses.

Ramadan brings out the best in humanity. During Ramadan, generosity peaks, people mend broken relationships, open their doors and reach out to others. Many find Ramadan an opportunity to rejuvenate themselves and to open a newer and more positive chapter in their life. Some find it an opportunity to free themselves from bad habits such as smoking, excessive consumption of coffee and other addictive behaviours.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are of great intensity. Some Muslims practise what is known as Itikaf for 10 days, during which they spend their time in the mosque engulfed in a full state of deep meditation, introspection and reflection that amounts to an all-encompassing spiritual journey.

Ramadan ends with an auspicious exercise of generosity. Every Muslim, including children, is required to give charity to the poor and the needy. The aim of this charity is to enable the poor to share in the celebrations and festivities that follow the end of Ramadan.

For those who truly experience Ramadan to its fullest extent, it is a transformative experience that enables people to rediscover the best within themselves. People come out of Ramadan physically shaped, spiritually nourished, socially engaged and mentally refreshed.

The challenge for Muslims isn’t the fasting itself, but the ability to fully absorb the deeper spiritual underpinnings of Ramadan and to carry its noble sentiments of generosity, forgiveness, mindfulness and devotion throughout the year.

Across Canada, neighbours of mosques notice a major surge in mosque attendance and greater activity, particularly at night. Some mosques and Muslim student bodies at universities open their doors to members of other faiths and invite them to experience the noble sentiments of Ramadan. Fast-a-Thon has been organized for a number of years across universities, including the University of Manitoba, where students from other faith groups fast for a full day. Many who have gone through this experience have found it challenging but very refreshing.

Source: winnipegfreepress.com

However, wise scholars around the globe have come up with the logics related to what Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) had brought 1400 centuries ago for the betterment of human beings. World’s renowned authors list Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) on the top among greatest other men because he (P.B.U.H) had delivered clear ideas of how a person can lead his life to the road of success.

Allah had given the most valuable yet difficult duty to Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to spread the message of unity, faith and peace so that a person would be able to sort out his own issues in accordance with the mentioned directions in Islam. Along with this, Allah has awarded humans with some rules to live in world so that a person can live a worthy life. If we analyze thoroughly the guided rules for life from the book of Quran, we will find out that Islam was the first religion that has proved and bound every human to be educated.

There was no other religion but Islam who had granted an opportunity to both men and women, to be educated, organized and cultured. For this purpose, if they have to leave their country then they are totally allowed to achieve their ultimate goals and objectives.

Nowadays, the most important issue that has become a bone of contention in many countries is Hijab. Numerous people believe that Hijab is the limitation that prohibits a woman to live liberally. In reality when you indulge for the ground reason, you will find that how much useful women’s Hijab is in front of men.

Hijab is a protective shield that guards a woman from the evil minds of society. Not only women should cover her body properly but also Allah has ordered in the Holy book of Quran to men that they should lower their gaze, when a woman passes by their way. So, man and woman are equally advised to protect themselves from the devil’s trap. You can observe that in other religions, rate of rape is extremely high because those people are fully exposed and exploitation of each other is a norm. They should keep the secrecy and adhere to the guidelines to keep the privacy. Exhibition of private masculine and feminine body parts is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Islam is the paramount religion that brings about the equality of rights between female and male. If a person is distressed from severe circumstances in his life then he just needs to peek into what Allah Almighty has told about those particular issues to live life in peace. He or she should know his or her rights and perform duties accordingly to please their Allah Subhana Wa Tallah.

Hazrat Aisha (ra) was young when she was widowed but she saw and observed the Apostle of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah thoroughly and his love towards humanity and concern for Muslims. Afterwards, whenever a tribe or Sahabas got ambiguous about the exact version of Hadiths, they brought their confusions to Hazrat Aisha (ra) and seek her true guidance. She had worked immensely for the legal rights of women. She had rescued women from ignorance at that time. She proposed rightful laws for the liberty of women. As she had received the directions of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) on women literacy so she showed the open paths for women to get educated and learn Quran. Women in those days had all the means to learn and educate them like their counterparts.

Hazrat Aisha (ra) worked as a legal advisor when Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) passed away. She (ra) memorized the whole Quran. Her brilliance in Arabic language and the way she had taught the Muslims who came to her to acquire solutions regarding legal and social system of that period, impacted greatly on the widespread acceptance of Islam and regulations beyond the Arab world.

She remained actively engaged in the development of legal structure along with laws for women. The gift of powerful memory that Allah had blessed her helped enormously to guide the people about Islamic values and traditions after Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Her house in holy city of Medina became the hub for Islamic teaching, learning and customs that had exhibited by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). She had proved to be the most talented student of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and when afterwards she became scholar her exemplary students proved that women have the right to educate themselves for the bright future of next generation.

Several thousand Hadiths had been preserved and approved from Hazrat Aisha (ra). Her assistance in the rectification of many Hadiths had helped to maintain the original versions of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) precious sayings. Hadith that had been quoted by Hazrat Aisha (ra) about Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) way of talk is:

• Hazrat Aisha (ra) narrated that Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) when spoke he chose words very carefully, he always said words that were fewer in number but precise in meaning. (al-Fawaid, Hujjat al-Islam, author Hazrat Imam Gazali, Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, Vol. 2)

With the birth of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and his preaching on Allah Almighty and his only acceptable religion, Islam has got its root classified and stronger with clear and definite values that a Muslim was guided to include in his/her life. During the whole lifetime of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), Islam spread across and was accepted with dignity in the major parts of the world. This miracle happened due to the ways and paths that Allah had defined in that era about the extension in an agreeable manner.

Muslims are brought up with the concept of peace, unity and education. No other religion that is still present has ever emerged with these three foundations intact that have become the pillars of Islamic culture. Not a single innocent bloodshed occurred for the acceptability and preaching of Islam. Non-Muslims who were offered to educate the 10 Muslim peoples and afterwards they will be released when their task is ended.

At the time of Makah victory not even a single human was killed. Muslims were gathered under the single flag of Islam for the sake of the sole creator that is Allah Almighty. Muslims are the only community that has shown tremendous research in the field of science and the other entire education fields in a particular time period.

Allah had shown through Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) that it is only Allah that is running all the streams of life in the whole universe. Even Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) had proved in front of non-Muslims the event of splitting moon from its center. It was indeed Allah’s power in the finger of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who was doing all the magic that appeared as reality.

Through Islam, Allah has provided Muslims a great way to lead their lives with full dignity and prostration in front of only Allah. Allah has shown the world that how much power is in the beliefs of Muslims and by accurately following the guidelines of Islamic customs and traditions Muslims can make the world a much better place.

At this, Harmusan replied: “O great Caliph! I am extremely thirsty. Please bring me a pot of water and let me drink to my fill and after that I am ready to face whatever punishment that you may mete out to me.” The Caliph ordered a pitcher of water to be brought before the prisoner. His wish was  immediately obeyed and a pot of cool water  was placed before the prisoner, while the angry Muslims who had fought with him waited impatiently with their swords drawn,  standing close to him, waiting to strike at him at  the command of the Caliph.

Harmusan had noticed their frustration, took the pot of  water in hand and hesitated to drink it. He thought that the Muslims would kill him, while he was drinking the water. The Caliph understood his secret fears and said: “Do not fear a secret blow, for the Muslims do not kill treacherously. I give you my word that you  shall not die until you have finished drinking from the pot of water that you hold in your hands” Harmusan was clever. He had seen  how the Muslims held their Caliph in high respect. Within a matter of seconds, he dashed the pot to the ground before him.

The pot  broke into several pieces before the amazed o n l o o k e r s , spread on the hot burning  desert sands of Madinah and soon v a n i s h e d into the earth below. N o w , H a r m u s a n s t o o d triumphantly before the Caliph and said: “You have just given your word that I would not meet my  death until I had finished drinking the water from the pot. Now, command your soldiers to gather the water that  has been spilled from the ground and I will face death only after drinking that water.” The Caliph was highly amused at the ruse employed  by the clever Persian to save his life, and was impressed by his presence of mind.

The Persians believed that a monarch’s  word was sacred and hence it must be upheld at all costs. The Holy  Qur’an had also commanded Muslims to be true to their promises.  So, he commanded another pot of water to be brought before Harmusan. He said: “Drink, I said before and perish; now I bid you to drink and live for I grant you complete freedom!” Harmusan was perplexed at the Caliph’s generosity, a quality which was  unknown to  the Persians. The Commander of the Faithful, indeed, had a noble character. He did asthe Caliph had commanded, and said: “Now, I  testify that there is no other god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah!”